How to Paint Murals on Ceilings

Mural painting is a difficult job, and painting murals on ceilings is particularly challenging. For the experienced mural artist, a ceiling project can be an excellent way to demonstrate skills. Careful planning and proper equipment are the keys to successfully painting a ceiling mural.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sketches
• Scaffolding
• Safety harness
• Primer
• Paint roller/roller covers
• Extension pole
• Base color paint
• Acrylic or latex enamel paints
• Paint brushes
• Artist's palette
• Transparency paper
• Projector

1. Draw a full-color sketch of the intended mural. This image should be in scale to the finished mural. Many artists use a scale of 1 inch to 1 foot, which means that 1 inch on the drawing is equivalent to 1 foot of the actual mural size.

2. Transfer the sketch to transparency paper. Use your own computer printer or scanner or have the image professionally transferred at a local copy shop. The transparency copy can be in black and white instead of color, and need not include small details.

3. Remove as much furniture as possible from the room. Cover the floor and any remaining items with high-quality drop cloths. Never use plastic sheeting, which can tear or cause the scaffolding to slip.

4. Prepare the ceiling. Wash off loose dust and patch holes. Use a paint roller on an extension pole to apply an even coat of interior primer and allow the ceiling to dry thoroughly. Roll on two coats of the base color, allowing the ceiling to dry between coats. Let the paint dry overnight before starting the mural.

5. Rent or purchase scaffolding. Painting a ceiling mural while standing on a ladder is never recommended. Build up layers of scaffolding until it is a comfortable height for you to reach the ceiling. Most ceiling muralists lie down while painting, so adjust the scaffolding accordingly.

6. Use the projector to display the mural sketch on the ceiling. Adjust the projected size until it precisely fits the designated area.

7. Pour the mural paints into an artist's palette. Climb the scaffolding and allow yourself to adjust to the height for a few moments. Ensure that the scaffolding is sturdy. Use a safety harness if you are working at heights above 6 feet.

8. Use an artist's pencil to lightly trace the projected image onto the ceiling. Turn off the projector and ensure that you are satisfied with the results. Paint large sections of the mural first, using a wide, flat brush. Add details with a small, round brush. Work steadily but carefully. Most ceiling murals take several days to complete.

Tips & Warnings

• It is sometimes difficult to check your work while lying on your back. Climb down periodically to survey the mural from floor level. Although old-fashion projectors will do the job, a portable artist's projector is less expensive and easier to manipulate. Lying on scaffolding can be uncomfortable. Consider using an old pillow and a mat or cushion.
• Everything is more difficult when using scaffolding. Although it is easy to get lost in your work, try to remain aware of your surroundings. Enlisting a helper to bring things you need prevents the need to climb up and down constantly, and provides a second set of eyes. Never try to overreach. If you cannot comfortably reach a section of ceiling, add more scaffolding. Do not put a ladder on top of the scaffolding. Keep children and pets out of the work space. Scaffolding can be dangerous.

References

• Painting Sky Murals

Resources

• Projector Method