Hi everyone, it's Den!
Trying to start a mural project at home? You have questions like, what materials should I have? what paint should I use? Can I do this? No, I can't. I don't have any experience.
Well, you came to the right blog! Here are some tips and tricks from my recent Office Mural at Quezon City, which totaled to 15 walls. I didn't want this to be lengthy, so let's start!
Tip No. 1: Materials
I usually use:
(1) Brush - there are 2 types: round brush and flat brush. I will try to make a new blog post specifically for brushes (HEHE)
(2) Paint - use water-based paint because they are odorless (Go to your nearest hardware store and just pick the available paints they have. If you want a customized color, it would be pricey and will take a lot of time to make them mix the colors. You can try mixing your own color)
(3) Chalk - for outline
(4) Rags or any cloth - the clean your work, this is also used to erase your chalk marks
(5) Bucket of water - to clean your brush
(6) Phone - for timelapse (documentation is key)
Tip No. 2: Measure your wall
Before doing any mural project, you must know the size of the wall you are painting on. That size then will determine the scale of your design (and your quotation - commissioned project). You should add a measuring tape on your 'material list'.
Tip No. 3: Digitalize
Before painting any mural, here are the steps on how I can imagine my design:
Step 1: Take a picture of your blank wall
Step 2: Sketch your work on paper
Step 3: Take a photo of the sketch
Step 4: Overlay the two photos together
Tip No. 4: Sketch your design
I get messages on how I start designing my walls, and the secret is using colored chalks & white chalks. Their difference? White chalks are used for dark-colored walls (black, royal blue, green, etc.) and white chalks are used for light walls (just like the picture above). Brands? Any brand will do, but if you feel that your chalk is dry or it wouldn't be erased after, try using other brands.
Tip No. 5: X marks the spot (color)
Literally 'x' marks the spot/color. It is quite confusing in painting a wall if you are using a lot of colors. Like the photo above, there are 5 paint colors that were to be painted. I painted the outline and put 'x' marks on the area to be painted.
Tip No. 6: Mistakes are normal.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes. It is normal, even I make a lot of mistakes while painting (uneven lines, paint droplets (a lot!), the wrong paint color was used, etc.)
Re-do's are okay. It's either you use the base paint (background paint) to overlay the mistake or refine your lines.
Lastly, ENJOY! (This is the most important part)
Don't forget to take before and after photos, do a timelapse, and cherish the moment. YUP! I do mural twice or thrice a year, and when I am working in the office, I missed doing murals.
If you have more questions, just message my Instagram (@calligraphybyden) or my Facebook Page.
Love lots,
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