In Epic Mickey, Lonesome Manor, how do I rescue the Gremlin behind the painting if the tables are not floating?

I already filled in the skulls in the Manor which caused the tables to stop floating. Now I can't get to the gremlin. I tried to paint/thin the secret door that had the skull and the tables started floating again, but then it is like the game freezes because I can no longer move Mickey. Any help will be appreciated. I can't believe I am addicted to this game!!