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How to paint a rainbow on canvas

Blue wall with wall shelves that have various decorative items on them like paintings and plants.

Overview

Use leftover paint or sample pots to create an on-trend rainbow print your kids will love. The best bit? It will match the colours you're already using in your home!

Steps

  1. 1

    Gather your tools and materials

    Below are all of the tools and materials you'll need to complete this project.
  2. 2

    Work out the colour order of your rainbow

    Before you get started, pull out all your old paint tins and pots and figure out which colours you want to use, which go well together and how you want them to appear on the canvas. There are no hard or fast rules with art, just see what looks best on a practice sheet of paper – and go nuts!

  3. 3

    Start your first colour

    Once you've figured out how you'd like everything configured on your canvas, apply your first colour – this will be the top of your rainbow.

  4. 4

    Rinse your paintbrush between colours

    Have a cup of water on hand to rinse out your paint brush between colours. Once you've dipped it in, wipe it down on a clean rag and you're good to go again. 

  5. 5

    Keep applying your different colours

    Continue the arcs of your rainbow – remembering to rinse your brush between each one – until your rainbow is complete.

  6. 6

    Wait for it to dry

    It won't take long for your canvas to dry – once it is, you're ready to hang!

  7. 7

    Admire your handiwork

    Your very own masterpiece! This is a great project to get the kids involved with too. 

  8. 8

    Watch more from the series

    For more simple D.I.Y. inspiration check out the full episode from Make It Yours Lounge Makeover by Rachel Lee and Rachel Aust.

Get inspired by projects from the Bunnings Workshop community

Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.