How to Paint a Cloud Mural

A cloud mural is an excellent addition to any child's bedroom and looks great on the ceiling or upper wall. Cloud murals are so popular in fact that they also work well on the ceiling of practically and room and in some commercial establishments such as the dentist office or massage parlor where clients have to look at the ceiling.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• paint roller
• Blue paint
• white paint
• gray paint
• Sea sponges, large and small
• glaze medium

1. Paint the ceiling or wall a light blue color. If the previous color is white, you don't need to worry about covering every square inch solidly. It is OK if a little white shows through to enhance to imperfect nature of clouds. Use a paint roller to paint this base coat for your cloud mural.

2. Use a large sponge and white paint to create the shapes of a cloud. Clouds are interpretable and no two are alike, so don't worry about trying to create a perfect shape. Just look at some picture of clouds to help you get an idea of what the clouds would look like.

3. Mix light gray paint with glaze and use it to add shadows to your clouds. Shadow all of your clouds on the same side so that your light source appears to be on one side of the clouds.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your time and build up your clouds a little at a time. You can always go back over the clouds with a little blue paint on a sponge if you add too much, but that will make the process longer.
• If you are doing a child's nursery, it might be fun to make animal shaped clouds. Just use a large stencil in the shape of the element, and lightly sponge on the white paint.
• If you are painting the ceiling, be sure to put down dropcloths securely. You will also want to use a splatter guard on your roller to prevent drops of paint from spraying everywhere.