How to Do Sand Painting: A Gentle Step-by-Step Guide

Sand painting isn’t just a craft - it’s a cozy ritual of creativity, calm, and self-expression. With just a few tools, some colorful sand, and a little time, you can unlock a whole new way to relax and make art that’s completely your own.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to start sand painting, using Mellorie’s Joy Flow Sand Painting Kit The best part? It’s beginner-friendly, low-effort, and the results are always beautiful.

What You’ll Need

Before you begin, set the mood. Think of this as self-care time:

🎶 Your favorite music to set the vibe
☕ Your emotional support drink for comfort
🎨 Your kit supplies, including:
- Pre-cut sand painting card
- Tweezers
- Brush
- 15 Bottles of colorful sand

When you have everything ready, you’re all set to unlock the art of sand painting.

Before you start

Start with the darker colors and gradually move to the lighter shades for the best effect. If you find the bottle tip too narrow, you can gently widen the opening with your tweezer to make pouring easier and more comfortable.

Step 1: Peel

Start by gently peeling off one section of the pre-cut sticker design using your tweezers. The peeled area will reveal a sticky surface where the sand will go.
✨ Tip: Work in sections to keep the rest of your canvas sticky and clean.

Step 2: Pour

Choose your first sand color, open the bottle, and carefully pour a small amount onto the sticky area. You don’t need much—the sand spreads easily.
✨ Tip: Begin with darker colors and layer lighter shades later to avoid unwanted blending.

Step 3: Spread

Take your brush and gently spread the sand over the peeled section. Make sure the sticky surface is fully covered. Watch as the color comes to life!
✨ Tip: Use small strokes to get even coverage without wasting sand.

Step 4: Shake Off

Once the area is covered, tilt or tap your card to shake off the excess sand. This step reveals crisp, clean shapes filled with vibrant color.
✨ Tip: Save your leftover sand—you can reuse it for other sections.

Step 5: Repeat

Continue peeling, pouring, spreading, and shaking off with different colors until your design is complete. With every section, your artwork will start to come together.

Creative Techniques to Try

Sand painting isn’t just about filling in shapes—you can experiment with blending and layering for unique effects:

🌈 Ombre Effect: Sprinkle a darker shade at one end of the section, brush, then spread a layer of a lighter shade and gently blend with your brush for a gradient look.

🎨 Two-Tone: Use two colors side by side in one shape to create contrast and dimension.

✨ Mix Your Own Shades: Combine a little of two sand colors for a new custom color.

Display Your Art

When your sand painting is complete, you’ll have a vibrant piece of art ready to display. Frame it, gift it as a card, use it as a bookmark, or simply keep it on your desk as a reminder of the calm and joy you felt while creating it(You can seal with Mod Podge or aerosol spray).

Why You’ll Love Sand Painting

Beginner-friendly: No experience needed—just peel, pour, spread, and shake.
Relaxing: It’s a meditative, screen-free hobby that helps you slow down.
Beautiful results: Every piece turns out unique and display-worthy.

Final Thoughts

Sand painting is more than a craft—it’s a gentle ritual that allows you to express yourself while finding calm in the process. With a few simple steps, you can turn your free time into feel-good time and create something you’ll be proud of.

So, grab your kit, your favorite drink, and some cozy music, and unlock the art of sand painting today.