Painting a Basketball on a Graphic Tee

Painting a basketball on a graphic tee.

I purchased this tee shirt from an online vintage graphic tee shirt shop.

The tee shirt has the words "Spirit Mind Body Staff" on it.

These words led me to think of fitness.

In like manner, I thought it may be cool to paint a piece of fitness equipment on the shirt.

I thought of many different types of equipment, but ultimately settled on a basketball.

The original tee shirt before I added anything to it.

Painting a Basketball on a Graphic Tee - The Process

Although I am able to draw a circle freehand, it is a bit time consuming.

It is also difficult when drawing on a tee shirt because the fabric moves with the pencil as I am drawing.

To save time, and omit stress, I used a large paper plate as my marker.

I placed the paper plate on the shirt, and traced around it.

I then reinforced the circle with black fabric paint.

To create the color for the basketball, I mixed orange fabric paint with a little black.

The painted basketball did not look quite as realistic as I had envisioned.

I don't normally paint basketballs, so I need more practice in this area.

I added splashes of black paint to the back of the shirt.

Overall, I like the end result.

The tee shirt after I added a circle.

The tee shirt after I added the first coat of paint to the circle.

The tee shirt after adding a second coat of paint, and adding the words, "Spirit Team."

As much as I love to paint, there are moments when I don't feel motivated.

I think about pulling the paint out to create, but it never happens.

I recently found myself in this place.

For about a month, I had no desire to create.

I had to "force" myself to paint this tee shirt.

The good news is that once I do paint something, the desire comes back.

I am now ready to start creating again.

Me modeling the front of the shirt.

Me modeling the back of the shirt.

I purchased several graphic tee shirts online at the same time.

I have about 10 tee shirts remaining from that purchase.

The other day, I pulled each tee shirt out to look at it, and determine the design I would like to paint on it.

I think this was a helpful exercise, as I now have a visual for each shirt.

It was also a great motivator for me.

To see more of my work, please visit my Etsy page, and follow me on Instagram.