A painted mural can be a
fabulously eye-catching feature, indoors or outdoors - and it
isn't just for experienced artists. The possibilities are almost
endless, whether you are looking for something to brighten up a
child's room or to create a visual focus in an elegant living
room. With a bit of planning and practice, and with the help of
the various aids on the market, painting an attractive mural is
within reach for most of us.
Ideas for Murals
Whatever you like to see can
become a mural! Landscapes are a popular choice for covering
large areas of wall. It could be an enchanted forest for a
child's room or a peaceful vista in a living room. Trompe l'oeil
paintings (paintings that deceive the eye into thinking that the
image is real) are also popular - for example, faux picture
windows that seem to open onto a rural scene, a seascape or even
a cityscape.
Murals can also be images
painted onto walls that serve the same purpose as framed
pictures. Motifs that complement your décor and architecture are
another idea. Tuscan murals, with grape and foliage motifs,
provide an attractive finishing touch to a room and are popular
for their old-world charm.
Floral designs always look
decorative. A geometric or abstract mural can add pizzazz and
style to a contemporary room. For the workplace, including
offices and schools, appropriate imagery can banish that
institutional look, adding color and warmth.
Before You Start
Prepare your surface well. It
needs to be clean and grease-free. Fill holes and cracks with
putty. It may not matter if the surface is a bit rough,
depending on what effect you want to achieve. Apply a good
quality undercoat or primer.
Paints
Water-based acrylic paints are
a good choice for interior murals. You may need emulsion paint
for exteriors. Options for outdoor murals include hard-wearing,
waterproof paints with a built-in 'sunscreen' to prevent fading.
A good quality clear sealant completes the job.
Applying Your Design
If you are creating a scene
such as a landscape, you will typically start by covering your
surface with the background color(s) and building up your image
in layers. Your final layer will be the fine detail. Once you
have a background coat you can sketch out your design. Few of us
can do this freehand! Work from a picture, which you can then
scale up, marking the design contours onto your wall. (There is
computer software that can help you do this.)
For the less experienced,
stencils are the perfect solution. You will find an
extraordinary range of designs that even the novice decorator
can use to achieve effective results (or you could make your own
stencils). You can also buy kits that let you transfer a design
onto the wall. All you have to do then is apply the paint - not
unlike painting by numbers.
As a stylish touch inside or
outside the home, or even as a community project, using paint
and creating faux finishes can be fun as well as enhancing your
living environment.
