Yesterday, I was hunting for other sites that also listed instructions for painting an Underwater Mural. I found this one:
How To Underwater Mural Technique
I hope when you check it out … a ton of good ideas are offered there.
That underwater technique is different than mine in some aspects. But… it is always a good idea to gather ideas and technical info from a variety of outlets. You will have better luck with the end results if you know different techniques to tackle the same project.
This site has some very cute underwater characters in the mural. I got some great new ideas to put into my bag of tricks.
Underwater Mural Lesson 2
My favorite way to paint the water portion of an Underwater Mural is also the best way to paint a sky background.
If you can master this technique… Ocean Style Murals and Cloudy Sky Style Murals will be quick and easy to accomplish.
- Step 1 : Paint the entire wall blue.
- Step 2: Glaze the entire wall with blue.
In a nutshell, that's it!
So… now I will give you the essential tricks of the trade 
to achieve these results.
Supplies:
- Latex Paint – Eggshell or satin – Baby or Powder Blue
- Purchase enough to actually paint the walls.
- Glazing Medium – Big jug or can from the big box store
- Thalo Blue Paint Tinting Liquid from the big box hardware store
- Chip Brush – From the big box hardware store- Cheap and disposable
- Water/Rags/Drop cloth/Tape etc.
- Woolie Pad - From Home Depot or order online here:
The entire wall must be painted in the baby or powder blue color. This base coat color must not be skipped. This technique looks terrible over a white background.
- The chip brush is used for two reasons.
- You just can't get close to the ceiling or baseboards with a Woolie Pad so I use a chip brush to cut into these areas… blending very carefully.
- I need a tool to get the blue glaze applied to the Woolie because if you just dip the pad into the glaze, it will soak up to much liquid.
The Woolie Pad is used because the technique requires long horizontal strokes that can't be accomplished with just a brush. Also, the Woolie Pad makes painting sky or water murals easier on textured walls.
The ratio of glazing liquid to blue tint is not an exact science. I will give you a formula so you know it must be mixed very strong. This is to get the desired intensity… as the glazing liquid is transparent. (… and no, this technique will not work with just dark blue paint… so don't try it!)
- The formula for the glaze is – 6 parts glaze to 1 part blue tint.
The paint is "glided" on in horizontal (left to right) strokes. More glaze (intensity) is applied as you work your way down the wall. I keep a dish of clear glaze and a spray bottle of water nearby. I can work the horizontal striations (what looks like brush strokes) out of the painting as I go. Remember to work with a damp Woolie Pad. Always spritz the pad with water and work it into the wool before you start painting. And… keep that pad damp. If you have to walk away from the work area, slip the pad into a plastic bag. The tips of the wool pad can dry and then all the softy goodness is gone.
This mural is gorgeous. Click on the picture and check out this mural-wallpaper site for some excellent ideas.
Technorati Tags: Underwater Mural, Paint, Faux, Woolie, Wool Pad, Lesson
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Dear Debra!! I happend upon your site and I LOVE IT! Lucky me, to have found you. I am in need of your help. My 4 yol daughter loves Mermaids and she wants me to create an underwater room with what else, Mermaids! I’ve been reading your techniques and I’m more of a visual person. Would you have any photos of projects that you have done using this technique incorporating clouds on the ceiling? I’m at a loss with colors, I fear that if I paint it too dark she’ll say it’s a boys room. Sadly, their little opinions start earlier and earlier … maybe it’s something in the milk?
Any of your brilliant advice will be very welcomed!
Have a lovely weekend.
Cheers from Vegas!! Lauren
I have painted a mermaid in a hair salon with long… I mean long hair waiving underwater… long story. Anyway, use lots of iridescent and shimmer paints to create the mermaid tail and also for the bubbles.
Also, think about gluing those little flat backed marbles from the craft store on as marbles for bubbles.
Clouds would not be on the ceiling of an underwater mural, it would be ripples. Like when you look up from the bottom of a pool or lake. If you want to use clouds though… you go girl. You will be a hero in your little girls eyes no matter what you do.
Here is a link to some pictures of underwater murals and sky murals I have painted.
Underwater Mural Pictures
Maybe this is a silly question, but I’m not sure when to paint over the wall with the tinted glaze. Do you paint the entire wall baby blue, then paint any sea creatures, then paint the blue tinted glaze over the entire mural? Or do you paint the entire wall blue, then glaze the entire wall, then paint the sea creatures over the dry glazed wall? Also, what kind of paint should be used to paint the sea creatures? I’m a beginner, can’t you tell!
Not at all! When we’ve painted underwater murals in the past we’ve painted the wall the blue we wanted then glazed over it with a deeper blue to give it that liquid look. THEN we painted in the sea life.
Hope this helps!
One more question…Should the glazing medium be oil or acrylic based? When I tried to purchase the Thalo Blue tint, I was asked this question. I guess there are tints for both types?
Thanks so much for your help!
You know the answer to this!
If you’re using acrylic paint you use acrylic glaze! No mixing up types!! That’s bad news!
Have fun!
Tawn