How to Paint A Wall Mural Even If You're Not Artistic

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By srhgompf
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The Napping House

Have you ever looked at murals painted on the wall of a restaurant, the side of a building or on the underpass of a freeway and thought, "I wish I could do that." I know of three techniques that anyone can use to make an impressive wall mural. You don't even need artistic talent. If you know how to trace, transfer and color in a color book, you can paint a wall mural.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Method 1: Draw By The Grid - Straight edge, Yardstick, Permanent marker, Overhead projector acetate and pen, Pencil, Gum eraser, Acrylic paint, Paintbrush
Method 2: Poor Man's Carbon Paper - Straight edge ruler, Yardstick, Permanent marker, Overhead projector acetate and pen, Masking tape, 24" x 36" Newsprint, Pencil, Charcoal stick or dark chalk, Acry
Method 3: Overhead Projection - Overhead projector, acetate and pen, Permanent marker, Acrylic paint. Paintbrush

Step 1

Pooh and Friends

Method 1: Draw By The Grid: Use your straight edge ruler, permanent marker and overhead projector acetate to make a grid divided into 1" squares. Label the grids across the top with letters (A, B, C...) and down the sides with numbers (1, 2, 3...). Lay the acetate grid over the picture you want to transfer to the wall. Trace the picture with the overhead projector pen. Decide how big you want the mural to be. If you want it to be 4 times bigger than the original, use the yardstick and pencil to measure out 4" x 4" squares on the wall. If you want it to be 10 times bigger, make your wall grid into 10" squares. Label the wall grid with letters and numbers exactly like the acetate grid. Use the pencil to sketch the picture square by square. The part of the drawing that is in square A1 on the acetate grid goes in square A1 on the wall grid. A2 acetate grid transfers to A2 wall grid. Once you have the picture transferred, paint it with the paintbrush and acrylic paints. When the paint dries, use the gum eraser to erase the pencil lines and labels of the grid.
Step 2

Where The Wild Things Are

Method 2: Poor Man's Carbon Paper: Make the acetate grid described in step one. Lay it over the picture you want for your mural and trace the picture with an overhead projector pen. Tape together sheets of 24" x 36" newsprint until you have the size you want for your mural. Make a grid on your newsprint that corresponds to the acetate grid. Use a pencil to transfer the picture grid by grid. When the picture is transferred, turn the paper over and cover the back with charcoal or chalk. Tape the paper, charcoal side facing the wall, where you want the mural. Use the pencil to draw over the lines of the picture. Remove the newsprint and the carbon transfer will be ready to paint with acrylic paint and a paintbrush. Wipe off any charcoal or chalk smears after the paint dries.
Step 3

Chuckie - Nothing To Fear But Monsters

Method 3: Overhead Projection: Lay the overhead projector acetate over the picture and trace it with the overhead projector pen. Put the finished picture on the overhead projector and project it onto the wall where you want the mural. Trace the projected picture with the permanent marker. Turn off the overhead projector. Paint the wall drawing with the acrylic paint and paintbrush.