Say hello to the sun-kissed days of summer and step into a world painted in hues of warmth and wonder! From beginner-friendly delights to intricate masterpieces for seasoned artists, these summer painting ideas are your passport to artistic bliss.
The list below has painting ideas for everyone!
And hey, if you’re just dipping your toes into the world of acrylics, swing by our beginner’s guide to acrylic painting for some handy tips and tricks!
Get the whole family involved with a wide range of ideas, from hand-painted canvases to traced designs. Explore the picturesque beauty of beach paintings, the whimsical charm of easy summer watercolor ideas, the timeless appeal of rock painting ideas, or the floral fresh art of terracotta pot painting. Add a touch of seasonal festivity with 4th of July-inspired creations, or let your imagination soar with window painting ideas that brighten up any space.
With options tailored for both kids and adults alike, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. So, grab your brushes, unleash your creativity, and let’s make this transition from spring to summer a masterpiece to remember!
45 Easy Summer Painting Ideas
These summer painting ideas will inspire you to pick up your brush and paints to create your own summer masterpiece. Projects from kids, beginners and adults alike- there's something for everyone.
Easy Beach Painting with Acrylics for Beginners
Learn how to paint an easy summer beach painting with acrylics. This is a beginner style step by step tutorial with a sister YouTube video for visual learners!
Paint a Mermaid and Mermaid Tail in Night Ocean Scene
Paint a mermaid in a magical summer's night ocean scene in this acrylic painting tutorial. This would make a fun summer paint night gathering with friends and family.
Easy Daisy Acrylic Painting
Daisies are one of the happiest summer flowers. Paint these uplifting blooms in front of a blue skied summer scene and green grass field.
Jazz Up Plain Terracotta Pots With 6 Easy Painted Designs
Bring some color to your flower garden with some painted terracotta pots. You can buy these inexpensive pots at your Dollarstore then learn how to prep, seal and base coat your pots for the best results. Watch your outdoor oasis come to life with these beaut's.
How To Paint a Butterfly On a Sunflower
You need zero drawing skill to paint this perfect butterfly sitting on a purple flower. How? You'll learn how to trace the design using a free stencil. that way you can enjoy the relaxing feeling of painting it with your choices of colors.
Paint a Sea Turtle: Step-by-Step Guide to an Easy Enchanting Underwater Scene
Sea turtles are precious summer creatures that add enchantment to this under-the-water ocean scene. Learn step by step how to draw then paint a sea turtle with proper proportions. Then learn how to paint water waves, coral, and even a starfish!
How To Paint A Beach Sunset
Sunset beach scenes just make you feel calm and laid back. Use the peaceful vibes to paint this beginner acrylic painting on canvas complete with palm trees, and a couple of beach chairs. This project is perfect for kids and beginners.
How To Paint Roses - Easy Beginner
Roses bloom in the summer, so why not paint a bouquet to capture them long after they're gone. This makes a nice mothers day painting or just because. You'll learn how to paint a rose, rose stems and leaves.
Heart Painting on Canvas- 3 Easy Ways! { For Kids & Adults}
This fun kid-friendly heart painting tutorial is perfect for summer camps, or keeping kids busy on summer vacation. They can choose which technique they want to try or they can try all 3! These make great child sensory activities also. It uses inexpensive Dollarstore craft paint and canvases which makes it a cheap idea for large groups.
How to Make a DIY Sharpie Mug that's Washable!
Why limit painting on a canvas? Grab some plain white ceramic mugs from the Dollarstore and some oil based Shapie paint markers to create these fun Sharpie mugs. These are fun summer projects for kids and teens.
How to Make Skin Tone Paint
This project teaches kids how to make skin tone paint out of 3 basic colors: yellow, red and blue. They also learn that all skin tones are made out of the same colors, just in different ratios.
Summer Aesthetic Sunset Clouds
Lazy summer days are made out of watching white fluffy clouds drift by. Capture the magic of clouds by painting them with Q-tips! You'll also learn how to blend this aesthetic pink-purple sunset background.
How to Paint Cats and a Night City Skyline
Summer in the city has it's own magical appeal. This pair of cool cats agree! They're watching the hustle and bustle of a busy summer cityscape scene under a full moon! Learn how to paint it step-by-step in this video and written tutorial.
How To Make Bookmark DIY For Your Fav Bookworm
A perfect creative and lazy summer day includes panting your own bookmark then snuggling up on the couch or hammock with a good book. Learn how easy these galaxy bookmarks are to make!
Easy Tulip Painting: Acrylic Tutorial For Beginners
A vase of fresh tulips on your counter just makes your space feel summery fresh. Paint these flowers to brighten up any indoor area.
Best Acrylic Flower Painting Techniques for Beginners
Get the kids to paint these easy flowers with 7 techniques that include: finger painted florals, fork tulips, celery chrysanthemums, bok choy roses, soda pop bottle floral stamps and more...
Abstract Painting of Butterflies in Flight for Beginners
This fresh, ocean inspired abstract painting will fill you with summer vibes. Learn how to brush on different shades of blue to make the sea/wave background. Then learn how to use a gold leaf paint pen to paint on the butterflies in flight.
How to Paint Lavender Flowers in Acrylics (Simple & Easy)
This lavender painting is a big hit with many beginners. It's one of my most viewed YouTube vidoes and subscribers send in many finished paintings that they've proudly done. The reason it's perfect for beginners is because the lavender blooms are painted on with Qtips which make it super easy, and fun!
How to Paint an Easy Cherry Blossom Tree
This is another easy and fun q-tip painting tutorial that exudes. adifferent sumer vibe: a rainy day! Learn to paint the muted cloudy sky background that allow the bright red cherry blossoms to take center stage.
How to Paint and Seal your Hydro Flask
Another fun ideas for kids and teens is to customize their own water bottle with a painted design. In this tutorial you'll learn which paint to use and how to seal it after the artwork is painted. You'll also get inspired with over 5 different summer-friendly designs!
How To Paint a Rainbow Rock
Painted rocks is a quinessential summer craft that's not only easy it's cheap! Get your kids to find different size and shape rocks while out on a walk, then come back home to paint diffeernet designs on them! This tutorial will not only show you how to paint rocks successfsully, but also share 10+ kid-friendly rock painting ideas to get you and the kiddoes started.
How To Paint Hydrangeas with Q-tips
Hydrangeas are my grandma's favorite flower. They are so big and bold like her. Learn how to paint them with Q-tips in this easy step by step tutorial. You'll also learn how to paint the mint green background and antique vase.
Step-By-Step: How To Paint a Mason Jar
Learn how to paint on inexpensive masons jars for a fun summery project. You can use these beaut's as a flower jar, knick knack jar or it makes a statement just as itself!
How To Paint A Lily Step By Step
These are my mom's favorite flower, and I painted them especially for her. They are graceful, beautiful and full of life like my mama. Learn how to paint these star-gazer lilies on a black canvas in this step by step tutorial.
How To Paint a Butterfly - Easy Beginner Tutorial
My fav is butterflies! And what says summer more than beautiful monarch butterflies fluttering overhead? Usually butterflies are very intimidating to paint, but I've broken it down into simple steps so you'll end up with a painting you'll be proud of.
DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint: Fun Summer Outdoor Activity
DIY sidewalk chalk is the perfect outdoor summer painting idea. And this chalk is so super simple to make with only 3 ingredients. Make 1 color or the whole rainbow! Your kids will have fun using the pavement as their canvas using their chalk paint.
How To Paint a Sunset Cityscape with Acrylics - Easy and Fun!
Another easy cityscape painting, except this one captures a breathtaking summer sunset. Learn how to perfectly blend a sunset background in this tutorial + video combo!
Pink Flamingo Sunset – Acrylic Painting Tutorial
My son told us at the dinner table the other day that Flamingos are the rarest bird where we live. But head down to warm tropical weathered places like Mexico or the Caribbean and you'll find them in abundance. Paint this pink summery bird with Tracey's easy step by step tutorial.
Sunset Silhouette Watercolor Painting Idea for Kids
If watercolor's your jam, then follow this watercolor tutorial that's made for kids but it's also suitable for beginners. Choose from 3 summer landscape scenes.
Summer Watercolor Painting Ideas for Beginners
Polaroid paintings are a fun trend to try. Watch this Youtube tutorial to show you how to make your own polaroid painting- maybe capture the magic of you fun summer family trip!
Fresh Summer Painted Planters
Do you have a green thumb? Why not add some bright yellow, pinks and blues to your favorite planters to create a colorful and fresh outdoor space.
How To Paint “Let’s Go Camping” Acrylic Painting Tutorial
Learn how to paint this quinessential summer get-away from the hustle and bustle- a camping landcape! Complete with a fire, string lights, and a tent all nestled under some trees.
Watercolor Floral Painted Tote Bag DIY
Shop in style and bring some color to your tote bags with paint! Learn how easy it is to paint on fabric in this fab tutorial.
Make a Beautiful DIY Porch Sign - Make and Takes
I've always wanted to make a painted wooden sign- and love how different his one is. The white florals are painted beautifully on this wood slab.
DIY Summer Fruit Watercolor Painting
If you don't fele like making a full painting, then you can paint this art journal-esque summer art with watercolors. Paint some summer fresh citrus fruit like oranges, lemons and strawberries with your fav quote over-top.
Tropical Macaw Parrot Painting
Paint the vibrant plummage of the tropical Macaw bird that's perched on a branch. You'll also love panting in the "windex" colored ocean water in the background. It'll get you singing all the way to Kokomo.
American Flag Painting
Paint your canvases wth some pride in this memorial day star spangled banner art piece. Watch the fireworks of creativity fly making your 4th of July masterpiece this summer.
How To Paint Fireflies & Mason Jar
There's something magical about fireflies in the summer, right? This warm summer's night scene captures the mystical glow. Learn to paint it today!
How To Paint An Ice Cream Cone
What's your favorite ice cream flavour? Maybe you have a few? Then this painting is perfect! Paint all your favorite ice cream flavours in this epic summer painting.
10 Simple Face Painting Designs That Are Quick and Easy! - Fun Learning Life
We've been focusing about canvas art, let's not forget the body makes a perfect canvas too! And the best part is you don't have to be a face-painting picasso to make these simple designs either. Learn how to to paint 10 easy face painting ideas, the kids will be proud of you for!
Summer Window Painting for Kids
Window painting is a fun summer painting idea that everyone can do! Kids, teens, adults can all create something together. Make the home glow with bright designs made by your kiddies will make it your happy place!
Balloon Painting Art Project for Toddlers and Preschoolers
This painting idea is geared towards toddlers and babies who can simply pick up a balloon and stamp it down. No fancy skills or materials needed. Older kids can make a deisgn like a rainbow, while the youger ones can make something abstract. Both will make mom and dad's heart sing with glee.
Sweet Summer Watermelon Canvas Art
These matching watermelon art designs are the cutest. This project would make a fun activity for siblings to make together on a rainy summer day.
Watering Can Garden Art Project
Watering cans can make whimsical canvases and you can also buy them for cheap at the Dollarstore. Paint them with any design you'd like, then display them in your garden or patio for a pop of color.
DIY Summer Sunset Pallet Sign Art
If you have a Cricut or a cutting machine, then this palette painting will be a perfect project for you. You cold also hand letter the quote or use a transfer method like this one.
Monster Inkblot Painting
This monster inkblot painting is a great idea for toddlers and kids. This would be a great idea for summer camps, summer school, or a rainy day at home.
Tropical Aesthetic Beach Scene
Get your masking tape out and create this Insta-worthy artwork. It's super easy too! All you need are some basic acrylic paint colors, thick mixed media paper and some brushes, and go!
Butterfly Leg Art Painting
Looking for something to do on a lazy, warm summer day? Grab some skin-friendly face paints and use your legs as a canvas! Paint daisies, sunflowers and even butterflies if you want.
Trending CD Painting Ideas
Did you know CD painting was a thing? I had no idea until I saw all the awesome creations people made with simple CD's and some paint. Next time you find some old C'D's under your pile of office supplies, save them for your next art project!