Begin by opening xTool Creative Space. Within the software, adjust your project as needed: resize the design to your preferred dimensions and modify the engraving darkness to achieve your desired effect. This design utilizes two distinct processes: engraving to create the layered image and cutting to separate the four layers. The engraving is further divided into two passes: the first pass creates the initial depth and darker shades, while the second pass engraves again with lighter settings to refine details and manage depth.

Prepare your painting area and gather your spray paints. Recommended colors for the sky effect include: light blue (sky), black (night sky), white (stars/clouds), and orange (sunrise/sunset). To create the sky gradient, first mask off half of the engraved sky disk with a piece of paper. Spray the exposed half with black paint. Repeat this process on the other half using light blue paint. Next, use the orange spray paint, holding a piece of paper slightly above the surface as a loose mask, to lightly spray a band across the center for a sunrise/sunset effect. Continue layering colors – yellow, black, and light blue – as desired to build depth and achieve a sky base you are satisfied with. Finally, holding the white spray paint at a distance, lightly mist the entire sky area to create a speckled texture representing clouds and stars. Allow the paint to dry completely, ideally for around 24 hours or until it is no longer tacky to the touch, before proceeding.