How to Paint a Mural

Paint your own mural

Murals can liven up flat, plain walls. They are wonderful ways to decorate buildings, gardens and walls. Depending on your artistic level, you can create all sorts of interesting murals. Here are some tips on how to paint a mural.

Instructions

1. Decide what you want to paint before you start. Choose a subject you feel you can paint well, yet will fit with the style of the surrounding space.

2. 

   Consider the size of the space you have to work with and the texture of the 'canvas' you'll be using. If you have a rough surface you will want to go light on details. If it is smooth you can do more blending and fine work. You can also use various preparations to coat the surface to make it easier to work on.

3. 

   Sketch out what you want to paint. Consider the color palette and how the subject will blend in with surroundings. Your sketch can be general or detailed, depending on how you want to work. If you are doing a large mural you may want to break your drawing down into a properly measured grid. This will be even more important if you plan on having any other artists helping out.

4. Transfer your drawing to the surface you want to paint. You can do the art to scale on paper and physically rub it onto the wall. You can draw and paint on an apply-able surface like canvas and glue it to the wall. Or you can sketch, freehand onto your surface.

5. Another way to transfer your image onto the wall is to use a projector and trace the image before painting it in.

6. Select the appropriate paints. Indoor paints will not last under sun and rain outdoors and are likely to fade quickly even if well protected.

7. How you paint will depend on your style. Whether you use big brush strokes, fill in outlines, blend or do fine, detailed work, do make sure you leave yourself plenty of time and space in which to work. You will do a better job if you are comfortable and don't feel rushed.

8. If you are new to doing murals start out with something small. Working indoors is probably easier than working outdoors since you will have more control of your environment.

9. For more details on how to paint a mural and on mural paints, please check the links listed below under Additional Resources.

Resources

• Murals and paints
• Paint by number murals
• Paint for outdoor murals
• Jane Schwartz Gates art