Window Painting Birch Scene

Supplies & Prep

1. White acrylic paint (I used Artist’s Loft flow acrylic from Michaels)
2. Dish Soap to help the paint stick (ONE drop only – it foams)
3. Masking Tape around the window
4. Sketched out design 
5. Sponge rollers (up to 4″) and Sponge brushes
6. Soft brushes 
7. Paper towels
8. Stencils of deer and leaves
9. Clean windows to avoid random problems
10. Temperatures within 60 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit or the paint won’t stick

Stencil & Paint Prep

​First, tape up your deer stencils where you want them. Prepare the paint next, pour white paint into a rolling pan, add ONE drop of dish soap and mix gently.  

TIPS: Leave more space in front of the deer so it feels like he has room to move forward in the trees. And direct the deer in the direction you want people to look next.

Sponge in the deer stencil, let paint dry and add another layer of paint. Wait 5 minutes before removing the stencil to avoid smearing the stencil edges.

Starting the birch trees, roll paint from the bottom to the top of the window with the endpoint in mind so you can add some bends. These trees are spaced roughly 4″-18″ apart. More room is needed around deer.

The bottom of the trunk will be thicker than the top.

Let each layer DRY before adding another layer. TWO layers are recommended minimum. ​Too thick of paint will peel off so keep it under 4 layers. Snow piled on the bottom of the trees is fun to add while you wait.

Wrap your finger in a paper towel or use a plastic window scraper to remove fuzzy edges and refine the edges of your trees.

After all the birch trees are laid out, we take the med/large soft brush and draw whimsical branches.

Add varying lengths of wavy branches from the top of the window. Wait to dry before adding leaves. You can use a brush, fingers, or roll over a leaf stencil to make tear-drop-shaped leaves.

After everything is dry, use the wooden back end of the sponge brush to remove the paint. Use long oval motions for the horizontal pattern on the birch tree edges. Use photo references of birch trees to make yours even more original. The knots in birch trees can be conveyed in a pattern. A cluster of 3 knots alternating left to right on the trunk gives the message without too many details.

Roll on snowflake stencils to complete a classy winter window. 

Be sure to share your windows with me! 

P.S. We used one color on purpose. If you want more colors, use a white base or mix a paintbrush of white into each color. The color acrylics are transparent and lose their vibrancy on windows. EXCEPTION: No need to add white to black paint but it will make it stand out more!