How to Make Lightning With Createx Paints

Sketch the lightning bolt on the illustration board. Use the airbrush to lightly spray the lightning with white paint. Don't worry about overspray at this time. Using a pencil and a light hand, re-draw the lightning bolt to include the primary and secondary branches of the bolt. Draw the bolt so it is wider at its origin and narrower as it reaches toward the ground. The smaller veins or fingers are added later. With a fine liner brush, paint the lightning bolt with liquid mask. Allow the liquid mask to dry and apply a second coat, as directed by the manufacturer.

Paint the night sky or other background with the airbrush. Complete all of the airbrushed details before removing the liquid mask. Allow the background to thoroughly dry.

Remove the liquid mask by rubbing your finger across it. The rubbery mask will peel off the illustration board. Make sure that all of the mask has been removed. You will see a bright, white lightning bolt contrasted against the background. Fill the paint cup or bottle with thinned blue paint, lighter than the background. Holding the airbrush 4 or 5-inches away from your painting, lightly spray around the lightning bolt. There will be a little overspray on the lightning, but this will add to the realistic effect. Allow the picture to dry thoroughly.

Pour a few drops of white paint onto a glass dish or paint tray. Add water, a drop at a time and stir. The thinned paint should have the consistency of cream. Using a fine liner brush, paint a thin line down the center of each primary and secondary branch of the lightning bolt. The paint should taper to a point at each lower end. Thin the remaining paint so it has the consistency of milk. Using only the tip of the brush and a very light hand, paint the small fingers of the lightning bolt.