The flamingo is painted completely black before white bones are sketched and painted over its head, neck and body. A protective gloss sealer helps prevent the finished design from scratching and improves its durability outdoors.
Display one skeleton flamingo on its own or create a whole flock for a larger Halloween yard display
Get more details about this project
What you need
Black spray paint suitable for plastic
White acrylic craft paint
Small paintbrush
Medium paintbrush
Pencil or white chalk pencil
Gloss clear sealer suitable for plastic and outdoor use
Mod Podge, optional for sheltered indoor displays
Mild dishwashing liquid
Cleaning cloth
Fine-grit sandpaper, optional
Plastic drop cloth or cardboard
Disposable gloves
Protective mask suitable for spray-painting work
Instructions
Pink lawn flamingos are cheerful garden decorations, but a little black and white paint gives them an entirely different personality for Halloween.
The flamingo’s long curved neck is ideal for a row of vertebrae, while the large body provides enough room for wing bones, ribs and a spine. The result is spooky, humorous and easy to recognise from a distance.
You do not need to make the anatomy scientifically perfect. Bold, simplified bones create stronger contrast and are easier to paint onto the curved plastic surface.
Instructions
Step 1: Remove the legs
Pull the metal legs or stakes out of the underside of the plastic flamingo.
Most lawn-flamingo legs are designed to slide out for storage. If yours are fixed in place, protect them with painter’s tape instead of forcing them out.
Keep the legs together so they can be returned to the correct holes after painting.
Step 2: Clean the flamingo
Wash the plastic body with warm water and a small amount of dishwashing liquid.
Remove dirt, dust, oil and any residue left from price labels. Rinse it thoroughly and allow it to dry completely.
Paint may peel if the surface is dirty or greasy.
Step 3: Prepare the surface
Inspect the flamingo for loose paint, rough seams or scratches.
If the surface is especially glossy, lightly scuff it with fine-grit sandpaper. Do not sand so heavily that you alter the moulded details.
Wipe away all sanding dust with a clean cloth.
Step 4: Prepare the painting area
Move outdoors or into a well-ventilated spray-painting area.
Cover the ground and surrounding objects with cardboard or a drop cloth. Protect nearby walls, plants and furniture from overspray.
Place the flamingo on a support that allows you to reach the head, neck, body and underside without touching wet paint.
Step 5: Apply the first black coat
Shake the spray-paint can according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Hold it the recommended distance from the flamingo and apply the black paint in light, even passes.
Rotate the flamingo as necessary to cover the beak, head, neck, body, tail and underside. Avoid applying one heavy coat, which may drip or remain sticky.
Step 6: Apply the second coat
Allow the first coat to dry for the time specified on the spray-paint label.
Apply a second light coat to cover any remaining pink areas. Check around moulded details, the underside of the neck and the base of the tail.
Leave the flamingo until the black paint is fully dry.
Step 7: Plan the skeleton
Use a pencil to sketch the skeleton design lightly over the black surface.
Begin with the most recognisable sections:
A skull shape around the eye and beak
A row of separated vertebrae along the neck
A shoulder or upper-wing bone
A large curved wing-bone shape
Several narrow ribs beneath the wing
A short spine and small tail bones
Keep a narrow black gap between the bones so the separate shapes remain easy to see.
Step 8: Paint the skull
Use a small paintbrush and white acrylic paint to fill the skull shape on the head.
Leave the eye socket black and outline sections of the beak with white. Small black gaps can suggest separate jaw and facial bones.
Use two thin coats if the white paint looks translucent over the black base.
Step 9: Paint the neck vertebrae
Follow the curve of the flamingo’s neck with a row of white bone shapes.
Make the vertebrae larger near the body and gradually smaller toward the head. Leave black spaces between them.
Allow the direction of each segment to follow the bend of the neck.
Step 10: Paint the body bones
Paint the large shoulder and wing-bone shapes first.
Add several thin, curved ribs below the wing. Keep their spacing reasonably even and leave black lines between each rib.
Finish with a short spine across the back and several small bones toward the tail.
Step 11: Refine the design
Allow the white acrylic paint to dry.
Look at the flamingo from several feet away. Strengthen any shapes that are difficult to see and add a second coat where the black paint shows through.
Use a small brush with black paint to tidy uneven white edges if necessary.
Step 12: Seal the painted flamingo
Wait until both the black and white paint are completely dry.
Apply a clear gloss sealer in light, even coats, following the product directions. Make sure the spray sealer is compatible with plastic, acrylic paint and outdoor use.
A coat of Mod Podge can help protect an indoor or sheltered decoration, but an exterior-rated spray sealer will generally provide better weather protection for garden display.
Step 13: Replace the legs
Allow the sealer to cure completely before handling the flamingo.
Insert the metal legs into the original holes. Push each one firmly into place without twisting or stressing the painted plastic.
Stand the flamingo on level ground and adjust the stake depth until the decoration is stable.
Display Ideas
Position the flamingo beside a porch, garden path or Halloween entrance.
Create several skeleton flamingos and arrange them as a spooky flock.
Add low-voltage outdoor spotlights so the white bones remain visible after dark.
Surround the flamingo with white pumpkins, artificial cobwebs or weather-resistant graveyard decorations.
Painting and Display Safety
Use spray paint and aerosol sealer outdoors or in a properly ventilated area. Follow all safety directions on the product labels.
Wear suitable protective equipment and keep children and pets away while spraying and drying.
Allow every coat to dry fully before applying the next product. Incompatible or uncured coatings may wrinkle, peel or remain sticky.
Secure the metal legs deeply enough that the flamingo cannot fall or become airborne in strong wind.
Bring the decoration into a sheltered area during severe weather. Clean it gently with a damp cloth rather than abrasive cleaners.
I’m looking for the flamingos. Any suggestions?
I got mine from the garden department of a certain major grocery store. 😉
How about glow in dark paint or drill hole and use little lights inside to make glow for nite time
I LOVE this! I have been wanting to make these for a while & just wasn’t sure how to start! Thank you for the tutorial!!