Getting Started with Window Painting
Which Paints to Use, Inside vs Outside?
If you’ve ever wanted to try window painting, this guide is for you!
Whether you’re decorating your home, creating shop window displays, or planning Christmas window paintings, here’s everything you need to start your window art journey.
Perhaps you’ve admired my hand-painted shop displays, festive winter scenes, or colourful seasonal window paintings and wondered how I do it. I often receive messages asking for advice — so I’ve created this blog to help beginners get started and answer some of the most common questions I receive.
🌧️ Painting Inside vs. Outside — What Works Best in the UK?
If you’re in the UK like me, you’ll know our weather isn’t always kind to outdoor art! I always paint on the inside of the window, designed to be viewed from the outside. Here’s why that works best for UK window painting:
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The damp climate causes exterior paint to slip and peel.
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Cancellations due to bad weather are common for outdoor artists.
For most UK window artists, indoor painting is the best choice. It keeps your designs protected from rain and moisture, and it allows for greater control over drying time and finish.
That said, if you’re a spray paint artist, you’ll do wonderfully painting on the outside — those paints are waterproof and designed for the elements.
💡 Top Tip: When painting on the inside of the windows condensation can ruin your artwork — always check with clients (especially hairdressers, cafes and bakeries!) before painting that the windows don’t suffer with condensation. If they do then I advise them that there windows are suitable for my paintings.
Other Important Info! Make sure the window has no interior tint before painting, and avoid painting over or near any existing vinyl work, as doing so can ruin it and lead to costly replacement.
🎨 Painting Outside
Some window artists in warmer climates (such as the USA or southern Europe) successfully paint on the outside using outdoor acrylics and house paints. These materials and techniques differ from the hand-painted window art I do, but they can produce fantastic but different results.
If you’d like to explore outdoor painting methods, I highly recommend checking out Scott Campbell’s YouTube tutorials — they’re a brilliant resource for learning outdoor window painting techniques and which paints to use:
👉 Scott Campbell Window Painter on YouTube
💡Drying Tip:
Whether you’re painting indoors or outdoors, you can speed up drying between layers using a hair dryer or even a leaf blower. It’s a quick and simple trick that saves loads of time — especially during busy seasons like Christmas when you’re painting multiple window displays!
Drying Tips for Painting Outdoors: Ensure each paint layer is fully dry before applying the next, check that the weather will remain dry for at least two days to allow proper curing, and while an air blower can help, in the UK it’s often safer to paint indoors while checking first for condensation issues.
👉 Leaf blowers that speed up drying time
🎨 Which Paints to Use for Window Painting
One of the most common questions I get asked is: “What kind of paint should I use for window painting?”
✅ Best Paints for Indoor Window Painting (UK-Friendly)
If you’re painting from the inside — which most of us in the UK do — go for high-quality artist acrylic paints. My go-to choice is System 3 Acrylic Paints by Daler-Rowney.
They are:
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High-pigment for bold, vibrant colour.
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Fast-drying, ideal for layering and detailed work.
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Easy to remove with a window scraper blade and cleaner.
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Durable but not permanent — perfect for seasonal displays.
You can find them here:
👉 System 3 Acrylics on Amazon
🌞 If You’re Painting Outdoors
If you live in a warmer, drier climate and plan to paint on the outside of the glass, use acrylic wall paint — the kind used for interior decorating. Look for finishes like satin, sheer, or eggshell. These paints adhere well to glass and hold up better to moisture than artist acrylics.
🧰 My Recommended Window Painting Kit
Here’s what you’ll need to get started with hand-painted window displays:
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High-pigment artist acrylic paint (like System 3)
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Black Sharpie pen for outlining designs
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Selection of brushes – various sizes for detail and coverage
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Scouring pad – removes Sharpie lines when cleaning
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Blue roll or kitchen towel
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Disposable plates, cups or bowls for mixing paint
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Bar of soap (great for cleaning brushes!)
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Window scraper blade – for removing dried paint, you will need a metal blade, and always use a fresh clean blade for each removal. If you use a old blade you will likely scratch the windows.
🌸 Painting Styles & Techniques
Floral and Pattern Designs
Paint directly on the window using acrylics. Try double-loading your brush with two colours to create beautiful two-toned petals and leaves — perfect for spring window displays or Easter designs.
Characters and Outlined Images
Use your Sharpie to outline first, then fill in with colour.
💡 Pro Tip: Outline your final design in white paint — it makes the artwork pop out beautifully from the outside, especially for Christmas shop window displays.
⚠️ Products to Avoid
Although chalk markers can look bright, I don’t recommend them. They’re difficult to remove and often require scrubbing and soap, which can smear the glass. Stick with acrylic paints — they scrape off cleanly and leave no residue.
🧼 Removing Your Window Art
When it’s time to refresh your display, avoid using soap and water! Instead, follow these steps for easy window paint removal:
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Spray the window generously with window cleaner.
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Let it soak for a minute.
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Use a window scraper blade to gently lift off the paint.
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Wipe away residue with blue roll.
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If you used a Sharpie, remove leftover lines with a scouring pad.
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Finish with another spray and polish for a sparkling clean surface.
🌟 Building Your Confidence as a Window Artist
As an artist, the best way to improve is to start experimenting — right on your own windows! Try different themes, colours, and techniques to see what suits your style.
Ask friends, family, or local businesses if you can practice on their windows. Many will happily let you paint for free in exchange for a beautiful hand-painted shop window. These early projects help you build confidence, gain experience, and create a portfolio.
Over time, you’ll start to develop your own signature window art style. I discovered early on that floral designs and white winter scenes were my strengths. I now tend to avoid characters and outlined figures — they’re more time-consuming and don’t fit my preferred creative flow.
The key is to experiment, enjoy the process, and let your artistic voice evolve naturally.
💰 What Should I Charge for Window Painting?
This is one of the most common questions I get — and the answer really depends on your experience, location, and the type of window painting you’re doing.
When I first started, I kept my prices low just to get those first few gigs and build confidence. Doing a few low-cost or free window art jobs helped me build my portfolio and get real-world experience.
Once I had a few windows under my belt, I felt more confident to raise my prices, and I continued increasing them gradually as my skills improved and my client list grew.
As of 2025, I typically charge around £100 per hour of painting time, which also includes my design and prep time. I’m happy with this price point for now, as I’m steadily building a list of repeat customers — but I still see room to grow as the demand for hand-painted windows continues to increase.
Some artists prefer to charge per square foot or per window, especially for larger commercial jobs. Either approach is fine — just make sure your pricing covers your time, travel, materials, and creative energy.
The window painting industry in the UK is still fairly young compared to the USA, where it’s already a big business. But it’s definitely growing year by year, and I’m noticing more shops, cafes, and salons commissioning custom window art for Christmas and seasonal events.
In short — don’t undersell yourself. Start low if you need to gain experience, then raise your rates as your confidence and skill grow. The market for creative, local window artists is on the rise — so now’s the perfect time to get involved!
❄️ Inspiration to Get You Started
Once you’ve mastered the basics, try creating:
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Festive winter scenes — snowmen, stockings, snowflakes, and reindeer
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Christmas shop window displays — Santa’s workshop, snowy villages, or Christmas trees
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Spring and summer window art — floral blooms, bees, butterflies, and rainbows
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Child-friendly designs — perfect for schools, nurseries, and family shops
Each window is a blank canvas waiting to be transformed into something magical. Whether you’re painting for fun or building a creative business, your designs will brighten someone’s day.
✨ Final Thoughts
Window painting is a wonderful way to combine creativity and community. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, the right materials and a little practice can make a huge difference.
Start small, practice often, and watch your confidence grow. Before long, you’ll have your own distinctive hand-painted window style and maybe even your own set of tips to share with others!
If you have any more questions please email me cheryl@bubblyheaven.co.uk
