From the category archives:

Reader Questions

Mural Painting Techniques for the Beginner

by THAT Painter Lady on Wednesday, March 4, 2009

reader_question1

It can be quite expensive to hire a professional mural painter. So many of us have a bit of talent and would like to attempt painting a mural ourselves, but just don’t know where to start. I would like to help you become more confident and give you a few tips on how to Do It Yourself.

Here is a question that a reader sent in earlier this week.

“I am in the process of doing a wall mural for the kids area of a church. I draw & love to do water colors but never painted on a wall. I need tips as to how to proceed, the type of paints to utilize & smart techniques. I am considering a noahs ark theme or a garden of eden kind of concept. Is there a site that has illustrations/demos?”

photo credit: danielle_blue

As a beginnner, painting a wall mural can be intimidating. But it really doesn’t have to be if you have done your research and you are prepared.

Here area few simple steps for you to follow in order to be ready to “Get Your Paint On”.

1. Gather Reference Pictures – Take some time to research the subject matter of what you will be painting. In your case, you will be painting either a Noah’s Ark or Garden of Eden theme. Choose one theme and then do a Google image search. For instance, if you choose to do the Noah’s Ark theme, then search with these words – “Noah’s Ark Murals”. You will find so many great ideas this way. Print out your favorites and use them as reference for you to choose the different elements and colors that you would like to include in your mural.

2. Purchase Materials - Now that you are set on a theme, you will need to gather your materials for the job. Here is a list of things that you will need.

Drop Cloths
Brushes (all different sizes)
Small Roller
Acrylic Paint (take your reference picture with you to make sure you get all the colors that you need)
Latex Paint (I use this for all my background painting. It is easiest to roll on those areas – cuts your painting time in half)
Bucket for water to clean brushes between colors
Roll of Paper Towels / Rags to dry brushes
Table to work off of
Medium – this helps keep acrylic paints movable
Overhead Projector – this is one of my favorite items to use and it is great for beginners to get an image on paper onto a wall keeping the exact proportions. All you have to do is trace the outline and fill it in with paint. So eas, especially when doing cartoon characters, animals, and other designs.

Overhead Projector, 2500 Lumens, 14-1/4 x 16-3/4 x 28

3. Organize your Materials. I always like to set the stage before I start painting. I make sure I have a very organized work space and that everything is easily accessible. I have all my paints in one bin, all my brushes in another. I have drop cloths laid out and my bucket of water ready.

4. Start Painting the Background. Like I said, the best way to paint the background is by rolling it on. If you are painting a landscape, for instance, land & sky. Start at the top with the sky – roll it out and then do the bottom.

5. Project images onto the wall. Trace the outline onto the wall with a soft pencil. You don’t want the lines to be visible under the paint, so press lightly when doing the outline. You can also use watercolor pencils which blend well once painted. I sometimes even use chalk on darker base colors.

6. Get Your PAINT on!!! Use your reference pictures and paint away!

This should help you get started at least. If you are still unsure of yourself, you may want to practice with your paints on a sample board. But really, the best tool to use for a beginner is the overhead projector. Good luck all you DIYers out there! You can do it!!

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Color Suggestions For A Black and White Kitchen

by THAT Painter Lady on Saturday, July 26, 2008

Here is a recent reader question who is asking for color suggestions for a kitchen with black and white appliances. Tawn has answered this one with some creative ideas.

I am painting a kitchen that has black appliances and white countertops. What color would you suggest for the walls, cabinets and for the floor? ~Nydia

Wow! What a great starting point for you. Using white and black can create a stunning and dramatic room. It can be used in almost any decorating style. Contemporary/modern and even Country French. Black and white gives a fresh and clean look to a room. Sophisticated and elegant, or cozy and classic.

If you want a more “contemporary” look to your kitchen you could paint your cabinets with a metallic paint. Silver would be good. OR you could take the doors off, paint the frames black and take the doors out and spray paint them with a Metal Hammered Finish spray paint.

Going modern I’d use a square pull on the doors. Something more linear for a pull.

Or, if you want a more “country” look you could paint your cabinet black and then rub the paint off here and there (edges, corners, etc.) to give them a worn look.

Here are some articles about Distressed Finishes.

Paint Color Choices

Excellent paint colors for your walls, to go with your black and white room, would be salmon, or green, or taupe, or red or turquoise. This gives you a wide variety to choose from for your walls depending on what feel you want to end up with. Even yellow would be a good choice depending on how bold you want to go.

Are you painting your floors? You could tape them off and paint large 2 foot by 2 foot squares of black and white. I wrote an article here about painting diamonds or squares.

Hope these ideas help. Please send a picture when you finish so we can see how fabulous it looks.

THAT Painter Lady

Here are a few resources on choosing color that I find really helpful:

Click Here For Help Choosing Colors: An Expert Choice of the Best Colors to Use in Your Home

Click Here For Help With Color Schemes Made Easy (Better Homes & Gardens)

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How To Use A Woolie Pad For Faux Painting

by THAT Painter Lady on Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Hi! I used a Woolie pad several years ago with great success. I have misplaced the video but, it seems to me that I remember that you were supposed to thin the paint with water before sloshing it on the wall.

However, in one of your responses you mention diluting the paint with glaze. Is there a specific glaze material that works better than water, or would water do just as well?

Thanks for your time, Lynne

Hi Lynne,

So happy to have found a fellow Woolie Pad Lover!

First… the one thing you must do before paint ever hits the woolie pad… is it must be damp. Not wet, just damp. I usually run the pad under water and then shake the dickens out of it. Then… as extra measure… I squeeze it with a rag. This makes the pad damp but not wet.

I have thinned my paint with water and/or glaze… it just depends. Depends on what? Well… it depends on the humidity, the faux painting treatment I am trying to accomplish… and my mood.