Tie-dye paintings are a less messy way to get in on the trend

Quarantine has made showing off your spring looks a little more difficult, but tie-dye has still emerged as a definitive 2020 trend. Matching tie-dye sets are ubiquitous on TikTok, and spending so much time at home has made it easier for people to tie-dye clothing themselves.

At-home dyeing isn't for everyone, though. Those with small apartments, no outdoor space, or lots of roommates might find that tie-dyeing is just too messy for their limited real estate. Instead, might we suggest a tie-dye painting?

A tie-dye painting is exactly what it sounds like: a painting painted to look like tie-dye. (Wow!) Unlike regular tie-dye, however, it does not involve any squirting, wringing, soaking, or wrapping. Instead, your brushstrokes mimic the circles and swirls of a classic spiral dye job. (You can also hand-paint other tie-dye designs, but those are a bit more difficult.)

To start, you'll need your paints and your surface. Art supply shopping should not be your priority during quarantine (though if you have a car, shops like Michaels do offer curbside pickup), so it's best to use whatever surface — A random canvas! A Frisbee! A bunch of sheets of printer paper taped together! — you have on hand. Whatever paints you have on hand are also fine, though watercolors will probably give you a look that's closest to actual tie-dye. Make sure to put newspaper or another layer underneath your masterpiece so as not to accidentally tie-dye your kitchen table, too.

From there, you can follow the instructions of any of these delightful tutorials. Our favorite is the above video from YouTuber Trippydraws, who, as a bonus, has a super soothing voice.

When you've completed your masterpiece (and let it dry, you monster), you are free to do with it what you wish. Hang it in your room, hang it above your couch, give it as a gift, use it as a backdrop for TikToks, or shove it in a closet and never look at it again. Whatever you choose, one thing remains true: The project helped you kill a few hours. And that's priceless!