Debbie's Paint Projects > Projects > Sky Ceiling

Tools and Materials Needed


Getting Started

For this ceiling, we created a sky within a frame to make it look as though it were coming through a sky light. We used the light fixture in the center as a focal point and measured, marked out and taped a frame extending from the fixture diagonally to the corners of the room.


  1. This ceiling is most effective if the basecoat is white.
  2. Cover the width of the frame completely with low-tack tape, and tape around the top of the walls to protect them when painting the ceiling.
  3. Using the 2 trays, pour blue latex paint in one, and white latex paint in the other. Roll half of the roller in one paint and half in the other and coat fully.
  4. Roll onto the ceiling in wide arcs going back and forth and covering the surface in broad strokes without removing the roller from the ceiling. Go over the area in different directions, getting rid of roller marks, blending the colours together, but being careful not to muddy them too much. You want to be able to see bits of each shade on the wall, to give a cloudy effect.
  5. Use the special edging tool to get into the corners.
  6. Keep climbing down the ladder to look at your work. You can always add more colour to get rid of any muddiness or cover areas that are not blended well.
  7. Dip a sea sponge in the white latex paint and apply to the ceiling to form fluffy clouds. Make all of the cloud drifts go in one direction to make them more realistic. Some bits should be darker and heavier than other bits. If areas seem too white, then add a bit of blue to make them appear more transluscent and fluffy.
  8. Let dry and remove the tape on the frame.
  9. Divide the width of the frame in two down the length. Tape one side of the division, then paint with the medium grey paint.
  10. Let dry and remove the tape.

Topics covered by this article include: Painting...