Ever Thought About Painting Windows? Let’s Make a Splash!
Have you ever walked past a shop window covered in colourful lettering, cheerful characters or a big, bold holiday design and thought:
“That looks like fun. I wonder if I could do that?”
Well, grab yourself a coffee and pull up a chair, because I’ve got something to tell you.
You can learn to do it.
And who knows? That first painted window might lead to a fun new hobby, a creative side hustle, or even a business of your own.
Hi! I’m Laura-Anne. I’m a muralist, illustrator, painter and lifelong believer that just about anything looks better with a little paint on it.
And today, I want to introduce you to one of my favourite ways to put that belief into practice: window splash painting.
So, what exactly is window splash?
Window splash is the colourful, hand-painted artwork and lettering you see on windows at shops, restaurants, cafés and other businesses.
You’ve probably seen it advertising a big sale, celebrating the holidays or welcoming a new season. Maybe it was a giant ice cream cone on an ice cream shop window, a cheerful Santa waving from a storefront, or big, bold letters announcing “GRAND OPENING!”
The job of a good window splash is simple: catch people’s attention and make them look.
And when you’re the one holding the paintbrush? You get to have a whole lot of fun creating it.
“But I’m not a real artist…”
Oh, I’ve heard this one before!
Maybe you like to draw and paint but haven’t done much with it lately. Maybe you’re the crafty one in the family. Or maybe you’ve been admiring painted windows for years and wondering how the heck people do that.
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to be a professional artist to start learning window splash.
You don’t need a fancy art degree or years of experience. You do need a willingness to practise, play with paint and give yourself permission to be a beginner.
Start with simple shapes. Learn how to handle your brushes. Practise some lettering. Paint a flower, a coffee cup or a big, bright “SALE!” sign.
Every window you paint is a chance to learn something new. And yes, you’re probably going to make a few mistakes along the way. That’s okay. It’s paint!
It’s creative, colourful… and people will pay for it!
Now, if you just want to paint windows for the sheer joy of it, that’s a perfectly good reason to pick up a brush.
But if you’ve ever dreamed of earning money doing something creative, window splash might be worth a closer look.
Businesses need ways to get noticed. Their windows are valuable advertising space, and a colourful, hand-painted design can give people a reason to stop, look and remember them.
Think about how often a business might want a fresh look:
A café welcoming pumpkin spice season
A shop advertising a holiday sale
A restaurant celebrating a grand opening
A salon getting ready for Valentine’s Day
A local business adding a little Christmas cheer
That’s a lot of opportunities to bring some colour into your community—and potentially earn money doing something you enjoy.
Of course, building a window painting business takes practice, planning and some good old-fashioned getting out there and talking to people. But if you’re looking for a creative skill with possibilities, this one has plenty.
That’s why I wrote my book
Over the years, I’ve learned a thing or two about turning paint and creativity into work. And I wanted to put together a guide for people who are curious about doing the same.
My book, Learn Window Splash Advertising: The Complete Guide to Painting Windows for Profit, is for anyone who wants to learn how to paint window splash and explore the business side of it, too.
Inside, I share guidance on the supplies, techniques and practical steps involved in getting started—including how to think about finding customers and charging for your work.
Whether you’re dreaming of a little extra income or simply looking for a fun new way to be creative, I hope it helps you take that first step.
Ready to give it a try?
Here’s a little challenge for you: the next time you pass a business with a big, blank window, imagine what you’d paint on it.
A cheerful welcome? A big, drippy ice cream cone? A colourful sale sign? A little something to make people smile as they walk by?
That blank window is full of possibilities.
And if you’ve been waiting for a sign to try something creative, well… maybe this is it. 😉
Let’s make a splash!
— Laura-Anne
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