20+ Genius Cat Painting Ideas Worth Stealing

Skip the intro · jump to the list ↓

This list is for anyone who wants to paint something cute this weekend but has never really painted before! Beginners, renters, busy people, it doesn’t matter; none of these require fancy training or a garage full of supplies.

I scrolled through way more pins than I’d like to admit while putting this together, lol! A lot of them looked so pretty but were basically impossible unless you went to art school.

So I kept the ones that are actually doable on a random Tuesday night. Budget-friendly too, since most of these use paint you probably already have sitting in a drawer somewhere.

The list is organized so you can jump around however you like. Some points are pure inspiration. Others come with a full tutorial linked underneath if you want the exact steps.

You’ll find cat portraits mixed in with ceramic ideas, mural concepts and a couple of holiday canvases too. There’s genuinely something here for every mood and every skill level.

Grab whatever paint you have on hand and let’s get into it. Who doesn’t love an easy weekend project, am I right?

CAT PAINTING IDEAS

Watercolor Cat Silhouette Sunset

We’re starting off strong with a watercolor cat silhouette against a sunset. I always mess up the sky layer first because I rush the drying part.

A black cat shape gets painted on top once that sky finally sets. Looks way more advanced than it actually is, honestly a nice little cheat! Ten minutes tops once you get the sky right.

Abstract Rainbow Cat Portrait

How cute is this rainbow cat portrait? Every stripe of fur gets a different color instead of the usual gray or orange. I steal this idea every time I have leftover paint to use up.

Black Cat Moon Scene

This black cat and moon scene is basically Halloween’s greatest hits in one canvas! A giant glowing moon sits behind a cat perched on a branch. I always reach for gold paint because silver looks flat to me. Simple shapes, dramatic mood, drama for almost no effort!

Cat Among Wildflowers Canvas

A cat sitting among wildflowers is the coziest option on this whole list! Little dabs of color surround one fluffy cat shape in the middle. I hung mine above my reading chair and now I notice new flowers every week. Basically the painting version of a spring meadow.

Impressionist Sleeping Cat Painting

This impressionist sleeping cat painting leans into loose, dabby brushstrokes instead of clean lines. Think Monet but make it a nap, lol!

Nobody expects the fur to look perfect here, which honestly takes the pressure off. Soft blues and grays give it that quiet, sleepy feeling.

It’s the painting I’d hang in a bedroom without a second thought.

Geometric Cat Face Design

Geometric shapes turned into a cat face is oddly satisfying to paint. Triangles for ears, circles for eyes. Everything gets outlined with a fine liner pen once the paint dries.

This one’s for the people who like clean lines over messy blending. Talk about a modern statement piece, am I right?

Floral Painted Ceramic Mug

Ceramic painting ideas don’t get enough credit. A floral mug proves it. Small daisies wrap around the handle side so grip stays clean. Every single one turned out different, somehow all still hers!

Polka Dot Ceramic Bowl

A polka dot ceramic bowl is the laziest looking project that still looks intentional, haha! Dip the end of a pencil in paint and dot away. I finished mine during a movie without even trying hard. No skill required, just patience and a decent film.

Hand Painted Ceramic Planter

Ceramic planters made by hand make thrifted pots look brand new! A little terracotta pot from the garden aisle gets covered in stripes, dots or a whole scene depending on your mood.

This is the project I recommend to anyone with a windowsill full of sad plastic pots. Give it a coat of sealant once it dries so it survives regular watering. Mine has held up through two summers of overwatering already.

Praying Hands Canvas Art

Christian painting ideas often start with praying hands. This canvas keeps it soft instead of somber. Muted golds and creams give it a gentle feeling. I gave one as a christening gift and it got more compliments than the actual card! It does not need much detail to feel meaningful.

Bible Verse Sunset Painting

A bible verse painted over a sunset background pairs pretty colors with words that actually mean something. The verse gets lettered on top once that sky layer is dry. I always pick something short because my lettering gets messy past six words, lol! This one looks great above a nightstand.

Cartoon Cloud Mural Wall

Cartoon wall painting ideas usually start big. A cloud mural fills an empty wall fast. Fluffy round shapes in white and pale blue cover more space than expected. Nurseries eat this idea up every time, who doesn’t love a good cloud wall?

Whimsical Forest Animal Mural

A whimsical forest with cartoon animals peeking out turns a plain wall into something a kid could stare at for hours. Foxes, owls and rabbits get tucked between painted trees for depth. I always sketch the layout in pencil first because I have crowded a wall before. This one takes longer than most projects here, worth every extra hour!

Y2K Butterfly Canvas Art

Painting ideas on canvas y2k style are having a full comeback! This butterfly canvas nails the vibe. Bright blues, hot pinks and chunky glitter make it feel straight out of 2003. I keep mine propped against my old CD binder for the full effect. It is giving flip phone energy in the best way, haha!

Retro Flame Canvas Painting

Retro flames painted in orange, red and yellow bring that early 2000s skate shop energy back. Bold outlines matter more than perfect shading here. They look great as a pair on either side of a bed, don’t they?

Melting Smiley Face Canvas

Trippy cartoon painting ideas are basically made for a melting smiley face! This one delivers full chaos. The classic yellow smiley droops and drips like it is melting off the canvas. I hung mine in the hallway just to see who notices first. This is the piece that gets a reaction every single time, no shame in that, lol!

Psychedelic Swirl Cartoon Eyes

Swirling psychedelic patterns wrapped around a set of cartoon eyes make for one of the boldest paintings on this list. The swirl work takes practice, but there is no wrong way to layer the colors. I gave up trying to plan mine and it turned out better for it! Not much else needs to share that wall once this goes up.

Heart Balloon Canvas Painting

Valentines canvas painting ideas rarely get more fun than a heart shaped balloon floating against a plain background. I gave one to a coworker last February and she still has it framed! Nothing about it feels overly romantic, so it works for anyone. Sweet gift, zero awkward feelings attached.

Love Letter Rose Canvas

Last but definitely not least, we have valentines painting ideas canvases built around a love letter and a rose. Faded handwriting under a painted red rose gives it a vintage, romantic feel.

This is the one to gift somebody who still keeps actual letters in a shoebox. Sweet, simple and it never looks dated, honestly a little underrated!