| Obviously the first thing you need to do is figure out | | | | image on the wall, trace it out and then hand paint it. A |
| what to paint on the wall. When I know what I want to | | | | projector is very helpful to maintain the correct |
| paint, I typically follow that up by finding different | | | | proportions and to help in placement of the object. |
| representations, photos, drawings to use as a | | | | You may be wondering what medium to use on a |
| reference, or by going to a location to take some | | | | wall. I use a mixture of acrylic paint that you can buy in |
| pictures that I can use as a model. For example, if I | | | | any craft or art supply store and also latex paint that |
| wanted to paint a seascape I might drive around the | | | | you would purchase by the gallon in a paint or |
| beach area where I look for objects or scenery I want | | | | hardware store. Both of these mediums dry quickly |
| to include in my painting. Most times I am piecing | | | | and clean up easily with water. Also, acrylic paint has |
| together a scene to create my mural. | | | | no fumes so working with it will not bother you during |
| Once you have what you need to put together your | | | | the process. I typically purchase a gallon of extra bright |
| scene, painting the background first is essential. I start | | | | white paint that I mix with the acrylic colors. This will |
| at the top and work my way down. So I lay down the | | | | stretch your dollar, because purchasing small tubes of |
| sky first, then the horizon, where I may have | | | | acrylic paint alone can add up quickly especially if you |
| mountains, trees, water or land. After I have my | | | | are painting a large area. |
| background in I will place my other objects, such as | | | | Once you have finished your mural, I suggest painting a |
| people, cars, roads or whatever the subject may be. | | | | clear coat of polyeurothane over it to protect it. Look |
| Sometimes I hand paint in these objects and | | | | for a coating that will not yellow with age. The clear |
| sometimes I may use a projector first to cast the | | | | coating allows cleanup in case of dirt or fingerprints. |