Using an Overhead Projector to Transfer the Mural Design
Step1
Select a design that you'd like to paint on your wall. The design can be one you've drawn yourself or one you've found on a greeting card, in a coloring book or from another source.
Step2
Make a color copy of the image you've selected to use as a reference when you're painting.
Step3
Make a black-and-white photocopy of the image. Use the copy machine to enlarge the image to a size at which you can easily see all the details.
Step4
Make a black-and-white transparency of your design. Ask the clerk at the copy store to help you.
Step5
Place the transparency on an overhead projector.
Step6
Turn the projector on and project the design onto the desired wall area.
Step7
Move the projector closer to or farther from the wall until the design is positioned correctly and is the desired size.
Step8
Mark the position of the projector on the floor with masking tape in case you need to move the projector before you've finished transferring the design.
Step9
Outline the design on the wall carefully with pencil.
Using a Grid to Transfer the Mural Design
Step1
Select and prepare your mural design, following steps 1 through 3 above.
Step2
Draw a grid over the photocopy of your design and enlarge it onto a piece of butcher paper (see "How to Enlarge a Drawing Using a Grid," under Related eHows).
Step3
Cut each image in the design out of the butcher paper with scissors, beginning with the largest.
Step4
Use masking tape to fasten the cut paper images to the wall in the desired location.
Step5
Trace around each paper image carefully with a pencil.
Step6
Cut out any shapes that are inside the large paper images: a butterfly's spots or windows on a bus, for example.
Step7
Tape these smaller shapes in the appropriate locations inside the larger outlines.
Step8
Trace around the smaller shapes with a pencil.
Step9
Sketch in additional details, referring to the photocopy of your design.
Painting the Mural Design
Step1
Select acrylic paint colors for your mural by referring to the color copy of your design.
Step2
Pour each paint color into a plastic container.
Step3
Use a wide, flat paintbrush to paint in the large areas of your design first.
Step4
Blend and shade colors by painting one color on top of another before the bottom color has had a chance to dry.
Step5
Use a round paintbrush to add details and outline images.
Paint a Wall Mural
Comments
missforty said
on 7/17/2008 Very detailed, thanks!
annab said
on 8/2/2007 I like how detailed your article is. I wrote: http://www.ehow.com/how_2070532_find-a-muralist.html
which seems more like how to find a muralist but it should be combined with how to paint a mural.
Anonymous said
on 8/3/2006 Use erasable crayons instead of pencil to write on the wall. I find it easier to sketch with, since you don't have to be so careful about pressing too hard (like you would with a pencil). Erasing is also easy. Just keep a damp cloth near-by and you can erase entire sections without having to worry about a tiny eraser. It's also much easier because you can erase with your whole arm instead of your fingers and wrist.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 If you use an episcope projector instead of an overhead projector, you eliminate the need for a transparency of the design or picture you want to project. Simply place the design, picture etc., under the episcope and focus the enlarged image onto the wall. There is a portable episcope available that also can project onto a ceiling and a sloping wall. After drawing the required outlines of the image on your wall comes the painting.
Buy a large tub of white latex wall paint and divide it into smaller tubs (empty jam jars work well), depending on how many different colors you need. You will need to buy tubes of various color wall paint additives for the next step. Squeeze some color additive from a tube into one of the small tubs of white latex wall paint and mix thoroughly. Add more color slowly, mixing all the while, until the required shade of that color is reached. Do the same for your other colors. Paint the largest area of your mural first, leave to dry, continue with the next color and so on, until you end with the small details. Make sure that all your small tubs of different colors are kept airtight when not in use. If one of the colors has began to harden when you open a tub (should take a few weeks for this to happen), then add a few drops of water and mix, adding drops and mixing until paint consistency is reached. This is OK, because latex wall paint is water based.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 A lot of mural artists behave as if they were at home in their own studio. Treat your site as if you were a professional decorator, put down sheets mask off woodwork and always keep it tidy, Yours Ang McDonald of Have Paint Will Paint Murals, 07956 448 077 London.