Turn This Viral Michaels Ghost Painting into Your Next Spooky Season DIY

Published on August 16, 2025

If you've fallen under the spell of Michaels’ popular Painted Ghost Wall Art by Ashland, you’re not alone. This charming piece has become a seasonal favorite for its whimsical yet minimalist design—but with a price tag hovering around $45, it may give you pause if you’re watching your budget. Luckily, thanks to creative crafters on TikTok and beyond, there’s an easy, affordable way to replicate the look with simple materials and a little DIY magic.

Whether you want to adorn your entryway, living room, or seasonal gallery wall, this step-by-step guide will help you create a gorgeous ghostly art piece for about half the cost. And if you want to get a little playful, there's also a way to give your creation a festive pumpkin twist.

What You’ll Need

Before you start on your haunting wall project, gather your supplies. You won’t need expensive tools or fancy paints—the beauty of this craft is in its simplicity and texture.

For a visual guide, check out @kay.ez_'s post, in which she demonstrates how to create a textured ghost painting using spackle and a black canvas. Her step-by-step process makes it easy to follow along.

• Black Canvas (16” x 20”): This serves as your spooky night sky background. You can find affordable options at craft stores or online.
  
• Spackle or DryDex: This is the secret ingredient for creating the signature sandy texture. Spackle is commonly used for wall repair but doubles as a textural art medium.
  
• White Acrylic Paint: Use a good-quality white paint for crisp, bright ghosts.
  
• Paintbrushes: A range of brush sizes helps with both larger shapes and fine details.
  
• Paint Pens (white and black): Perfect for drawing eyes, mouths, or any small accents.
  
• Palette Knife or Spatula: For spreading and shaping the spackle smoothly.
  

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Your Canvas. Start by laying your black canvas flat on a work surface. Ensure your workspace is well-lit and protected from any spills.
   
2. Apply the Spackle. Using your palette knife, scoop a generous amount of spackle and spread it evenly across the canvas. Don’t worry about perfection here—the slight bumps and unevenness add to the charm.
   
3. Shape Your Ghosts. Before the spackle dries, shape your ghostly silhouettes with the edge of your palette knife or spatula. Create three or four ghosts in varying sizes, leaving enough space between them for balance and visual interest.
   
4. Let It Dry Thoroughly. Patience is key! Allow your spackle layer to dry completely (which could take several hours depending on thickness and humidity).
   
5. Paint the Ghosts. Once dry, paint over your spackle ghosts with white acrylic paint. Multiple thin coats work better than one thick layer to keep texture visible.
   
6. Add Details with Paint Pens. Use your white and black paint pens to add eyes, mouths, or subtle highlights and shadows. These little details bring your ghosts to life.
   
7. Optional Finishing Touches. For added dimension, you can lightly dust some white chalk or pastel powder to soften edges or create a glowing effect.
   

Budget Breakdown: What You’ll Spend

Here’s how this project adds up cost-wise:

Black Canvas: $5 - $8

Spackle/DryDex: $3 - $5

Paint Pens: $3 - $5

Palette Knife: $2 - $3

Total: $18 - $28

By comparison, the original Michaels piece retails for nearly $45, so this DIY dupe offers considerable savings along with the satisfaction of a customized, handmade creation.

Festive Pumpkin Version

Want to switch things up for fall? Add pumpkin shapes alongside or instead of your ghosts using the same technique. Simply paint on small pumpkins with the spackle in warm orange and white tones. Finish by drawing delicate stems and facial expressions with paint pens. This variation brings a playful, seasonal twist while maintaining the minimal look.

Display Ideas

Once complete, your ghostly masterpiece can be showcased in a variety of ways:

• Framed: A simple black frame enhances the monochrome aesthetic.
  
• Gallery Wall: Mix with other fall-themed prints or DIY art for an eclectic look.
  
• Mantel or Shelf: Lean it casually for a relaxed yet stylish touch.
  

The lightweight canvas also makes it easy to swap out for other seasonal decor.

Final Thoughts

Recreating Michaels’ ghost painting is a perfect solo weekend project or gathering activity for crafters of all skill levels. The textured finish and playful design make it a standout piece, and the DIY approach means you can customize colors, sizes, and details to suit your style and space. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to add a bit of handmade magic to your home without the high price tag.