Summer is here, and it’s definitely getting hot! But that doesn’t mean you can’t cool off with a fun art project. Whether you’re a seasoned paint party instructor or just planning to have some friends over for an evening of painting, we’ve got the best list of summer painting ideas that are sure to make your summer party a blast.

Summer is the PERFECT time to host paint parties! Anything that’s social and indoors with the a/c blasting is a welcome change of pace, especially here in Texas. It’s HOT, y’all!

Having an art project to work on together is a great way to keep everyone cool, have fun, and show off your skills while you earn some extra cash, too!

Plus, so many of these are perfect for kids who are off school during the summer months. Get them involved in helping you pack up your paint party supplies or throw a paint party for kids (you can even throw a paint party for toddlers, here’s how).

Here are my top 17 summer painting ideas—each of these is a tried and true winner!

1. Mini Decorative Surfboards

How much FUN are these adorable mini surfboards? I have a huge soft spot in my heart for these—these are what propelled my art business when I was at one of my lowest points! You can read my story here for all the details.

Either way, these surfboards are a hit with pretty much anyone! They are unique and can be easily customized for any theme or name.

2. Summer Camper Painting

This is a classic summer scene with a side of nostalgia that everyone can relate to! If you click over to the post, I have a video walking you through exactly how to create this painting.

3. Seasonal Door Hanger

This is one of my all-time favorite projects! You keep the hanger up year-round and simply swap out the seasons. People go crazy for this one.

4. Whimsical Beach Scene

This is a fun and colorful painting that has an abstract quality to it. Plus, it’s perfect if you’re trying to get creative and don’t want to use the typical beach scene.

5. Flamingo Canvas

Who doesn’t love a good flamingo painting? This one is made with just a few colors, and as you see from the photo, you can replicate several different looks.

6. Sunflower Barn Painting

This is a classic farmhouse-style painting that is always a top seller when I post it. This one does especially well leading up to the 4th of July. It’s patriotic but still neutral enough to keep up all year.

7. Tiki Hut Canvas

This tiki hut is SO cute. The colors are adorable, and looking at it just makes me happy. Plus, it makes for a super fun sip and paint with margaritas or frozen daiquiris (virgin or otherwise!).

8. Summer Sunset Painting

Here’s a more classic take on a summer sunset if your crowd leans more traditional. This is a great beginner-friendly option too.

9. 4th of July Gnome Tracer

There’s a gnome for every season! This 4th of July gnome tracer is super fun and perfect for the summer holiday.

Click through to the post to get info on the tracer (and here’s a helpful post about how to trace onto your canvases to prep them for a paint party!)

10. Flamingo Family

Here’s another fun beach scene but with a flamingo twist! This makes for such a fun and colorful addition to any paint party.

11. Colorful Cactus Art

If you’re looking for something fun and wild, look no further than this colorful cactus art. The bright green on the black background really makes this one pop.

12. Easy Summer Porch Leaner

Porch leaners almost always sell out when I teach a class! They do take a little more to plan for since you’ll need to have the wood put together, but you can also charge a premium.

13. Flamingo Porch Leaner

Here’s another take on the porch leaner that features our favorite pink bird. This one is sure to be a hit!

14. Sunflower Porch Sign

If you’re not feeling the flamingo, here’s a sunflower porch sign that is sure to bring some summer joy with that cheery yellow shade. The lettering is done with stencils, so it’s very easy to make it look awesome.

I’m a huge fan of using stencils, particularly Essential Stencils (read this post about Essential Stencils for more info on why!) Then, check out their selection of stencils for paint parties here, and use code TEXASHEIDI for a discount!

15. Decorative Surfboard

This is a larger version of the mini surfboard project from above. It’s a great way to make a statement piece for someone’s home—and you can get creative by customizing it with different colors, words, and more.

You could even pair the larger surfboards with the mini version for a cute mommy-and-me painting event!

16. Mermaid Tail Painting

This is such a fun, vibrant, and MAGICAL painting. All things mermaid are super in right now, so capitalize on the trend with one of my all-time favorite summer painting ideas!

17. Flamingo Surfboard

Last but not least, here’s one more spin on the surfboard painting—with yet another flamingo twist! This one mixes all of my favorite things: flamingos, surfboards, and fun summer colors. Your guests will love it too!

Final Thoughts on the Best Summer Painting Ideas

As you can see, there’s something for everyone when it comes to summer painting ideas that you can use to host paint parties.

From classic beach scenes to creative takes on the 4th of July and even magical mermaids, these 17 ideas are sure to please everyone!

Learn to Teach Paint Parties

Want to learn how to teach these art projects as a paint party instructor? Believe me when I tell you there is no funner way to make money out there if you love art!

I’d love you to check out Paint Party Headquarters. I’ll teach you how to make a profit every single party, as well as give you hundreds (yes, HUNDREDS) of paint party designs! Plus, I’ll teach you how to market your paint parties so you have butts in every seat, every single time.

Get more info about Paint Party Headquarters right here!!