How to Paint Monsters in Paintings

If you've ever been to a thrift store or garage sale, you've seen paintings of landscapes and paintings with calming scenes or images. Those are all well and good, but if you have a weird sense of humor you might want to use those paintings as a starting off point and add a monster or two!

No, I didn't dream this up myself. I wish! I'm not sure who the first genius was out there who had the great idea to add monsters to these types of paintings but I'll add some links below so you can see their take on adding creatures in landscapes.

I am no painter, but I decided to finally give it a go and paint a few monsters for myself. I mean, come on, this is one art project that just screams "Do it!", don't you think?

This photo shows a creature (a catfish, as you can see!) that I painted into this scenic picture called Rum Bay. Keep reading to see how I did it.

Photo Credit: Peggy Hazelwood

And Get Painting!

To paint monsters on to thrift store paintings, you just need a couple of things:

~ acrylic paints, as many colors as you decide

~ paintbrushes, a variety of tips from fine to larger

~ paint tray

~ water and a paper towel or rag for wiping the paintbrushes between colors

I use a plastic tray to set my painting on then get busy. This is a fun, relaxing way to paint that gives you full permission to just have fun and go crazy.

The monsters I've seen added to paintings are all unique. They are generally not recognizable as anything I've seen in a movie or anywhere before. Get creative. Get your monster on.

It doesn't take much to get started painting monsters on existing paintings. You'll need some acrylic craft paints and paintbrushes, and a paint tray is a handy tool.

These acrylic paint sets are handy because you get a good variety of colors in the same finish (matte, satin, high gloss, what have you).

I bought this painting at Goodwill yesterday for $1.49. I wanted to paint a monster painting, so I looked for one that was not too big (this measures 10 X 8 inches with the mat) and that had a somewhat whimsical look to it already. I didn't want anything too serious.

I first removed the backing and frame to get to the painting.

I thought about what kind of guy would visit this scene. Hmm, a water creature seemed fitting, so I first sketched my monster onto a scrap of paper then added it to the top of the painting using an ink pen. This painting is a print so it has a slick finish. A real painting with paint on the surface might be more fun to work with, but this is what I used.

Next I outlined my catfish in black paint then filled it in. When the black paint dried, I used the end of the paintbrush dipped in an off-white paint and dotted the three eyes on this guy. I also painted a little detail on the cat portion's ears and mouth with the off-white paint.

Again, I am not a painter. I use whatever works for me to get the job done. At this point it really was turning out silly looking, and that's okay since that is sort of the point of monster paintings!

Painting a creature to one of these traditional landscape paintings would add just that something extra. Don't you think?

This project is perfect for letting your imagination go crazy! I think it would be fun to hand each person a painting at a party and let them have at it! Then everyone would have a party favor to take home!

Finish your masterpiece by adding details and finishing touches. To complete my painting, I added teeth to my catfish creature and some colored fins to his body. Then I added a touch of pink to the catfish monster's ears and nose.

Next I added a few rings in the water to indicate movement by the monster. Again, remember, I'm not a painter. Just think of what a masterpiece you can make since you are certainly a better painter than me!

I quickly painted a silly guy onto this ballerina picture. This sad little picture is in such bad shape. It's basically had it, so I didn't mind messing it up.

I added an alien-looking guy with a single ball foot to the edge of the painting. Here's the back story: He really likes the ballerina and has admired her from afar. He hides in the broom closet while she's dancing. All he wants is to just touch her. Just once. He gives it a good try here, but he doesn't quite make it.

Some of these paintings with monsters added are for sale!