How to Paint a Mural

When I was a little girl, I can remember every time I had an idea of some kind, I would just grab some waxy crayons, and quickly go to work. I would make bold sweeps of blue, yellow, and red...on my bedroom wall! I would get in so much trouble, I guess not everyone liked my colorful pictures. Over time I grew older and became wiser, and learned about a special kind of art called a mural. Now everyone likes it when I paint on walls, and a mural is just that, a picture that is painted

directly on a wall. The word mural comes from the French word murus, which means wall. Murals can be painted on numerous surfaces ranging from concrete to wood, wallboard to canvas, and even on certain types of wall paper. The possibilities are absolutely endless!

To get started, you will first need to create a sketch of the design before you start painting. Getting your ideas on paper will help you figure out what design you want, and if it will suit the room your painting it in. I think the first part of this process is usually the hardest, so This might take a couple of sketches, but once you have a sketch the rest should be a piece of cake. If you are commissioned to paint a mural, you will need to have a consultation with the buyer to brainstorm ideas, and to get an indication of what type of styles they like and what to have in the mural. During this step, it is always a good idea to have with you a portfolio of some of your previous work already on hand. Doing this will help the buyer come up with his or her own unique design, and definitely help the buyer discover what they like and don't like in a mural. Some people like having a scenic view of something, like a beautiful distant island, or a serene garden filled with different kinds of colorful flowers. During the brainstorming process, it is important to consider where the mural will get the greatest amount of attention, and also how to prevent wear and tear of the image. Be sure to pick a spot in the home or business where the image will get the least amount of sun exposure, surface contact from things leaning up against that wall, and possible staining.

The second step is determining the price, which can be a little tricky. Their are a number of factors to consider when pricing a mural, which include the size, amount of detail, and materials you will need in order to complete the project in a timely manner. Every job is different, so don't hesitate on being up front with the buyer, and always explain your reasoning behind your motives in a professional way. This will prevent any miscommunication or misunderstandings, and will also show the buyer your initiative to get the job done correctly. To give you a general idea on pricing,

murals are usually calculated based on square footage, in the estimated range of $35-$75 per sq. ft.,

and other muralists calculate a daily rate estimated at $500-$600 per day. Other factors involved in

calculating the cost include the use of scaffolding, wall preparation, interior or exterior, and travel

expenses for the muralist.

The third step is gathering the materials and preparing the surface area and surrounding

work space. To ensure that nothing gets damaged during the process, which can cause you to get

fired, it is necessary to first remove and cover any surrounding furniture and pictures that might be

present in the room. For the next step, you will need paint stripper, white primer, and a tube of nail

filler, which can be found at your local hardware store, or what I like to call "the man store." The

wall must be completely striped of all existing paint, and free from any nails, holes, and cracks that

might be present on the wall. By doing this, the paint can easily be absorbed directly into the wall's

surface, thus making it more permanent. Next, it is necessary to prime the wall with 3 coats of

white primer and allow to dry for 24 hours. It is highly recommended to make sure that the wall is

dust free and completely dry before painting, or you've just defeated the whole purpose. The last

materials that will be needed is paint and paint brushes. When selecting the type of paint to be used,

I suggest only selecting the highest quality of paint, so it should be estimated that the bulk of the

money for materials will go towards the paint alone. It is important to remember that the quality of

the paint really is the key to the integrity, and longevity of the life of the mural. Also keep in mind,

your reputation is on the line, so don't skimp out on really good paint, cause in the long run you will

only be hurting yourself. I recommend using a special acrylic mural paint called Artex Nova Color.

A mural that is painted with Nova Color, and properly sealed with weather resistant gel can last

twenty to twenty five years. When estimating how much paint will be needed to cover the wall, The