I’ve wanted to try splatter-paint balloons for about a year, and this week I finally made it happen. I gathered some balloons I had on hand, picked up gold craft paint, laid a tarp over the deck and went for it. Later, we drove to the iconic giant pink wall at the Paul Smith store in LA and photographed the results. I adore these balloons—anything dripping in gold looks festive and effortless. If you can fling paint around, you can make these too. Here’s how.
Supplies
– Balloons (inflated with helium or air)
– Gold craft paint
– Paint brushes (vary sizes and bristle types for different effects)
– Water (for thinning paint)
– Tarp or protective covering (this gets messy)
How to splatter
For the best splatter, thin your paint. I used approximately a 3:1 paint-to-water ratio; results vary by paint brand and finish, so test and adjust. Mix with a brush until it reaches a consistency that flicks easily but still holds pigment. Before you start, protect your entire workspace with a large tarp and wear clothes you don’t mind getting paint on.
Dip a brush into the thinned paint, hold the balloon by its tail, and fling or tap the brush to create splatters. You can experiment with flicking, tapping, or swinging the brush to achieve different marks. Larger splatters may drip slightly down the curved surface as they dry; that natural drip can be part of the look. I liked combining softer-bristled brushes for fluid drips with smaller, stiffer brushes for fine speckles. When you’re satisfied with the coverage, let the balloons dry completely and avoid letting them touch each other while drying. Dry time varies by paint, but mine were mostly dry in about 30 minutes.
Styling and ideas
These gold-splattered balloons make a pretty statement for showers, birthdays, or photo backdrops. They’d work beautifully on white balloons with colorful splatters or on colored balloons with white or metallic paint. Consider making it a party activity—set up a protected station, provide different brush types and paint colors, and let guests create their own splattered balloons. The look is relaxed, creative and surprisingly elegant.
All photos by Studio DIY
I have more splatter-paint projects planned, so watch for those. In the meantime, try this gilded balloon idea for your next celebration and have fun experimenting with colors and textures.