How to Create a Spooky Halloween Portrait Gallery
Do you need a quick and easy Halloween decor idea? Halloween is fast approaching, and this is a great solution for a last minute decoration vignette. This spooky Halloween portrait gallery tutorial provides all the Halloween vibes easily adaptable to any decor and style.
An easy and adaptable decor idea is always a great solution for anyone. Random frames and free mages from the Internet can create a great spooky halloween portrait gallery. Come on in and lets get busy.
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Inspiration Behind the Spooky Halloween Portrait Gallery
I love a good gallery theme, whether it’s family photos, artwork, memorabilia or our monogram gallery wall in the foyer. I have seen so many fabulous galleries and why not a spooky gallery selection for Halloween?
If you have been here longer than a hot minute you know I’m a big thrifter and frames are always on my on going list. If I find a frame I like and it’s a good price, chances are it will come home with me. Even if I don’t have a particular purpose for it. I know I will eventually find the perfect use for said frame(s) and here we are.
How to Create a Spooky Halloween Portrait Gallery
You really only need two things to bring a Halloween gallery together. Frames and images can bring together a fabulous Halloween decor vignette. Frames can be found at thrift stores, garage sales, dollar stores and usually at bargain basement stores as well. Images can be found on-line. You can make this easily, inexpensively and make it totally yours.
Images can be found on-line both free and paid, depending on what you are looking for. I chose slightly eerie pictures in sepia and black & white tones. Feel free to use images that speak to your Halloween sensibilities and compliment your decor.
Supplies
- Frames
- Black Spray Paint
- Images
- Gold Leaf Rub-n-Buff
Tools
- Scissors
- Paper Cutter
- Pencil
Crafting Pro Tip: As I recommend with all my projects, read all the instructions through once and then re-read everything again. This way, you are familiar with everything you need and know what to expect.
Instructions
- Read instructions thoroughly and assemble all supplies & tools
- Select frames
- Paint frames and allow frames to dry thoroughly
- Search and find appropriate images
- Color adjust images if you want a certain “look” (sepia, etc.)
- Once done editing pictures, print out sized to the selected frames
- Apply Rub-n-Buff on frame accents
- Cut images to fit inside frame inserts
- Insert images in appropriate frames and set backings
- Arrange frames together in interesting composition
- Voila! Enjoy your spooky Halloween portrait gallery
Tips & Tricks about the Spooky Halloween Portrait Gallery
Ornate frames create a spooky elegant look, which is perfect for a haunted mansion effect. The Rub-n-Buff makes all the details pop. The frames with just the black paint look too flat and all the fabulous detail is lost. If gold isn’t your jam you could also use silver or copper Rub-n-Buff to accent all the relief on the frames.
I recommend spray painting the frames rather than brush painting. It’s easier to get into all the crevices of the ornate frames plus much faster. It’s not necessary, but simply a rercommendation. I forgot to take a picture before I painted. To give you perspective; the large rectangular frame was gold (not in a good way), while the small oval frame was gray and the medium rectangular frame was a yellow chartreuse color. The other medium frame was already black so that was an easy one.
A variety of looks are used here for the image options. The landscape scene on canvas from this project {Halloween Artwork Hacks Using Dollar Tree Canvases} is used in the large frame. All the other images are simply printed on plain paper, including a vampire portrait, creepy little girls and a simple witch. Card stock could also be used to print these if you want a sturdier medium to insert in the frames. A mix of black&white and sepia finishes are used to create variety.
The images have an eerie, creepy feel to them but any aesthetic works. Vintage Halloween pictures would look great together or whimsical Halloween is always fun. Use what speaks to you and fits your family. If you have littles, use images they would enjoy for the holiday. Gothic images are great for an adult affair.
A variety of frame shapes and sizes also creates interest and movement throughout the gallery. I broke one of my rules and only used four frames. Odd numbers tend to be best for composition purposes, but I found three not to be enough. Since I didn’t have another frame, I used the black ornate mirror as that fifth element.
Closing Thoughts
This is a fairly easy decor vignette and affordable too. If you’re hosting a last minute Halloween soiree this is a great way to go. It’s such an easy decor project that you could do it just for fun for yourself. I think most of the decor I sprinkle around here is for me more than anything. lol.
I seriously cannot believe Halloween is almost upon use. The busiest time of year and the best time of year is near. There’s plenty of seasonal content scheduled, which I can’t wait to share. Let me know in the comments below what you prefer to see: decor ideas, craft DIYs, recipes, tablescapes or…??? I would love to know so I can bring more of what you like.
What are you doing on Halloween? We would have loved to have been watching the Mets in the World Series, while we greeted trick or treaters. But alas, it’s not our year. We probably will still be watching the World Series with no dog in the fight and relishing all the awesome trick or treaters. There’ll be four of us here, and I’m still working on our menu and elixir selections. Thanks for dropping by and joining me.
Shopping the Halloween Portrait Gallery Look
- 2×3 Ornate Black Frame
- 4×4 Decorative Black Frame
- 4×6 Antique Ornate Picture Frame
- 5×7 Victorian Black Frame
- 5×7 Oval Top Ornate Black Frame
- 8×10 Elegant Black & Gold Frame
- Gold Leaf Rub-n-Buff
- Spooky and Creepy Halloween Imagery
- Assorted Halloween Portraits
- Vintage Creepy Mansion Portraits
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Where there is no imagination there is no horror.”
Arthur Conan Doyle
This is such a great idea! I never thought to look up free art online! The frames look fabulous painted black with the gold details! Pinning this now so I can do it sometime!! Thanks!
Thanks Donna! Yes rub-n buff is such a great product. Happy Halloween friend. XO- MJ
Thank you so much for sharing. This is so cute. I always over decorate for each holiday and my husband is such a scardy cat so I’m sure he’ll threaten to find a dumpster rental near me and throw them all away. But I have to do this, it’s soooooo wicked!