How to Paint an Ombre and Gradient Background (Even If You’re a Beginner)

Hey friends! It’s Karen from Over the Artsy Moon, and today I’m excited to walk you through a simple but beautiful painting technique—actually, two of them! We’re diving into ombre and gradient backgrounds. I’m so excited to guide you through each step so you can follow along confidently, even if you’re intimidated by a paint brush.

Let’s start by talking about the difference between the two. An ombre background is usually a monochromatic color blend—light to dark or dark to light—in a linear fashion. It’s smooth and subtle, working with just one color in one direction. On the other hand, a gradient background blends multiple colors with soft transitions. Both give a dreamy, blended look, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll want to use them everywhere, trust me!

How to Paint an Ombré Background

Lightly Wet the Canvas - Dip your brush in water and sweep it over the canvas to moisten the surface — just enough to help the paint glide smoothly.

Start With Your Darkest Color - I loaded my brush with pure ultramarine blue and painted the bottom third of the canvas. Be sure to apply it horizontally side to side.

Begin Mixing With White - As I moved up the canvas, I added a bit of white to the ultramarine to lighten it up. I worked quickly so the paint would still be wet and ready to blend. Keep going, increasing the amount of white as you go.

Layer for Richness - Once at the top, I used mostly white with just a touch of blue. If the paint feels too light or thin, let it dry and go back in with another layer. Don’t be afraid to build it up.

While this part is not required, it’s a great way to smooth it out even more. Use a clean, dry mop brush. Start from the lightest section and use gentle rotating strokes for that buttery blend. The result? Smooth, soft transitions that blend together beautifully.

How to Paint a Gradient Background

Prep the Canvas - Just like with the ombre technique, I started with a slightly damp canvas.

Start With White at the Top - At the top I added white paint all the way across the canvas, making sure to leave room for all the other colors towards the bottom.

Add Your Colors in Order - I used yellow, orange, then fuchsia, but you can use whatever colors you love! Paint each color slightly overlapping the previous one to blend as you go and do some quick back-and-forth strokes to blend them together.

Use Analogous Colors - I recommend choosing colors next to each other on the color wheel for easy blending.

Need Smoother Transitions? - I blended the transitions while the paint was still wet, working quickly before the paint dried. In some areas, I added a little water or more white paint to help ease the transition. I even tried blending with a makeup sponge—spoiler alert: didn’t love it. But hey, you never know unless you try it, right?

Finally, don’t overwork it! If your paint starts to dry or lift, stop and let it dry. Come back later for another layer if needed. Overworking can lead to patchy or sticky spots.

What if It Doesn’t Work?

No worries! I always say, “If you try something and it doesn’t work, that’s okay — it’s a learning experience.” Maybe that little “oops” I made turns into a glowing sunbeam, a shimmering reflection on the water, or the very first petal of a surprise flower. I’ve learned to just roll with it—because in my world, every “mistake” is a way to understand what is working and what isn’t - it’s all about lifelong learning. Can you tell I was a teacher? I feel it’s so important to keep playing, keep experimenting, and most importantly, keep having fun!

Find More in The Artsy Moon Paint Club
Want more tips, tricks, and happy little painting moments like these? Come join us in the Artsy Moon Paint Club! It's where creativity flows, inspiration grows, and you'll always find a fun new technique to try. Let’s paint, laugh, and learn together—I hope to see you in the club!