Blue lamp with a retro lampshade featuring purple circles and ovals on a light blue background.

Upcycle a plain lamp into a retro statement piece reminiscent of a lava lamp with vibrant colors that bring serious '70s vibes to any space.

Other Things You'll Need

  •  Lamp with plain smooth fabric lampshade

Instructions:

  1. Prepare your workspace. Remove the lampshade from the lamp base and place it on a protected surface.
  2. Paint the base. Using a brush from the contour brush set, paint the entire lamp base with Cloudless blue. Apply 2-3 coats for even coverage, allowing each coat to dry completely between applications.
  3. Create the background pattern. Using the white paint pen, draw small circles and oval outlines all over the lampshade background. Vary the sizes and spacing to create an all-over pattern. Refer to the photo for placement.
  4. Draw abstract shapes. Using the Neon Blue paint pen, draw organic circles and oval outlines on the lampshade. Create varied sizes - some round, some elongated, some irregular. Space them randomly across the shade. Refer to the photo for placement.
  5. Add wavy outlines. Use the Neon Blue paint pen to draw wavy, organic outlines around each main shape, creating a floating effect with multiple outline layers.
  6. Fill in purple areas. Using a brush and Purple Iris paint, fill in the interior of the abstract shapes. Allow the paint to dry completely. Refer to the photo for placement.
  7. Add highlights. Once the purple paint is dry, use the white paint pen to add small white highlight dots or areas inside the purple shapes to create dimension and a glossy appearance.
  8. Layer details. Continue adding more white circles in the background and refining the blue outlines to create depth.
  9. Let dry completely. Allow all paint to cure for 24-72 hours before reassembling and using your lamp.

Pro Tip: Work in sections around the lampshade to avoid smudging wet paint. The organic, flowing nature of the design means perfection isn't required. Embrace the handmade look!