Minecraft Guides
How to Make a Painting in Minecraft: Adding Art to Your World
Marko Kulundzic
Minecraft paintings are an ideal form of decorating a base, transforming a dull wall of stone into a blank canvas of artistic masterpieces. Be it in a rustic cabin or a luxurious castle, these works of art add a touch of character to any structure. This guide goes deep into the world of crafting and applying paintings in Minecraft, with clear instructions and clever tips to make your spaces look fantastic, and in no time you will be putting up masterpieces.
Why Paintings Are a Must-Have
Paintings aren’t just for show, since they transform dull rooms into inviting spaces, making your builds feel lived-in and unique. With 26 different artworks, ranging from pixelated landscapes to quirky portraits, paintings add character to everything from survival huts to creative megaprojects. Ever wondered how to make your base feel less like a bunker and more like a home? Paintings are the answer. Plus, they’re cheap to craft and easy to place, making them a go-to for players at any stage of the game.
Step 1: Collecting the Materials
Making a painting starts with gathering two simple ingredients: sticks and wool. Both are abundant and easy to get, even for players just starting out.
Sticks
Sticks are crafted from wooden planks, which come from chopping down trees. Here’s how to get them:
- Find a Tree: Head to any biome with trees, forests, plains, or taigas work great. Oak, spruce, birch, or any wood type will do.
- Harvest Wood: Punch a tree or use an axe to collect logs. Each tree drops 4–6 logs.
- Craft Planks: Place one log in your crafting grid (2x2 or 3x3) to get four planks.
- Make Sticks: Arrange two planks vertically in the crafting grid to craft four sticks. You’ll need eight sticks for one painting, so repeat as needed.
Wool
Wool comes from sheep, which spawn in grassy biomes like plains or meadows. You have two options:
- Shear Sheep: Craft shears with two iron ingots (smelted from iron ore) and right-click a sheep to collect 1–3 wool blocks without harming it. Shearing is renewable and lets sheep regrow wool over time.
- Kill Sheep: If you’re in a hurry, killing a sheep drops one wool block, but this isn’t sustainable long-term.
Any color of wool works for paintings, the artwork’s appearance isn’t affected by the wool’s color. Grab one block of wool, and you’re ready to craft.
Step 2: Crafting Your Painting
Once you’ve got your materials, crafting a painting is a breeze. Follow these steps:
- Open the Crafting Table: Place a crafting table (made from four planks) and right-click to access the 3x3 grid.
- Arrange Materials: Place one wool block in the center slot. Surround it with eight sticks, filling all eight surrounding slots.
- Collect the Painting: A painting item will appear in the output slot. Drag it to your inventory.
The recipe is the same across Java and Bedrock editions, and you don’t need a specific wool color, making it super flexible.
Painting Crafting Recipe
Step 3: Hanging Your Masterpiece
Now comes the fun part; placing your painting. Paintings are unique because their size and artwork are determined by the space they’re placed in. Here’s how it works:
- Choose a Wall: Find a flat surface, like the side of a block in your house or base. Any solid block (wood, stone, etc.) works.
- Place the Painting: Right-click the wall while holding the painting. It will automatically adjust to fit the available space, ranging from 1x1 to 4x4 blocks.
- Check the Artwork: The game randomly selects one of 26 possible artworks, from small 1x1 pieces like “Skull and Roses” to massive 4x4 murals like “Wither.” The size depends on the wall space, larger spaces allow bigger paintings.
If you don’t like the artwork, break the painting by left-clicking it. It drops as an item, letting you place it again to cycle through random designs until you find one you love. Paintings can’t be placed on partial blocks like slabs, but they’ll stick to any solid vertical surface, even in tight spaces.
Creative Ways to Use Paintings
Paintings are more than just decor, since they’re a playground for creativity. Here are some ideas to make them shine:
- Hide Secret Rooms: Place a large painting over a hidden doorway. Since paintings don’t block player movement, you can walk right through them, creating a sneaky entrance.
- Theme Your Builds: Match paintings to your build’s vibe. Use “Sunset” for a cozy cabin or “Wither” for a spooky fortress.
- Cycle for the Perfect Art: Don’t settle for the first painting. Keep placing and breaking until you get a design that fits your aesthetic.
- Decorate Multiplayer Servers: In multiplayer, paintings add flair to shared spaces, making your builds stand out in crowded servers.
For example, a 2x2 painting like “Graham” can add a regal touch to a castle hall, while a 1x1 piece like “Donkey Kong” brings retro charm to a modern base.
Painting Sizes and Examples
Troubleshooting and Tips
To make your painting experience smooth, keep these pointers in mind:
- Ensure Enough Space: If a painting doesn’t fit, it’ll shrink to the largest size the wall allows. For big artworks like “Wither,” clear a 4x4 block area.
- Watch for Obstructions: Paintings won’t stick if blocks like torches or signs are in the way. Clear the wall first.
- Use in Any Biome: Paintings work anywhere, so experiment in desert temples, jungle huts, or snowy cabins for unique vibes.
- Protect from Damage: Paintings can be destroyed by water, lava, or explosions, so keep them safe in enclosed spaces.
If you’re playing on a server, paintings can also be a fun way to prank friends, hide a tiny 1x1 painting in an unexpected spot for a laugh.
Final Brushstrokes
Painting in Minecraft is a very easy yet fun alternative to make your world look beautiful. Using only sticks and wool, you can make art that changes any environment, a survival shack to the biggest castle. No matter what you are masking (secret passages), or what, you do need to feel at home, paintings can be a never-ending source of creativity.