Learn How To Paint A Mural... Follow this blog!

Want to learn how to paint a mural for your interior space? This blog is a no nonsense, no gimmicks method. Whether you prefer artist oil colors (my preference), acrylic or other water base paints, my method will adapt to all paints. Become a follower and check the progress of two ongoing mural projects. In six months, the artist will begin another mural. Stick with it---Become a faithful follower from beginning to end!

Go To The Link Above

To follow the progress of each mural separately, go to the link above and click on desired project.

WHAT'S NEXT?

On Monday, I spend the day getting ready to start painting the Novatek MC Print building. I have to order materials, make new pallets for mixing paint, purchase drop cloths and paintbrushes, etc. I will not be back to the job site until Tuesday, January 17th. I also have a few other errands to run which relate indirectly to the mural project. See you Tuesday!

FAQ's

1. Why is the sky yellow rather than blue?
 Answer: I often start by covering the entire white canvas or surface with a foundation color or multiple color tones which may influence the final result. The finished product will have whitish clouds with patches of blue sky poking through. Some of the creamy under tone will come through in places or influence a warm quality to the sky. There can be no cold or dark, dreary colors, especially in large areas, which could have a negative influence on the interior atmosphere. That would be the opposite of what we are trying to accomplish.

2. Will the exposed conduit get painted?
 Answer: Yes.

3. When wiil the mural be finished?
Answer: By sometime tomorrow, maybe! Actually, I plan to have it finished in 2-3 months. It also depends on when David Hall says it is finished.
 
4. Will Jay Reynolds get his eagle?
Answer: Yes. And I also plan to put rocky mountain goats and Moose in the mural.

5. What is the scene the artist is depicting?
Answer: It is an idealized composition from a hike up Timpanogos trail. The trail head can be found a few hundred  feet above Aspen Village which is near Sundance. This hike is very popular. Hundreds of  people per day take on the trail in mid summer. The artist hike up the trail in the peak fall season. 

THE LAYOUT AND BLOCK IN STAGE

Tuesday, January 11th, I began by laying out the composition as per scaled sketch in charcoal. If you've never painted a mural before, it will seem overwhelming at first, but the method is really quite simple and straight forward. The charcoal stage was painted over in this mural so I photographed the layout in the old MC Print building to give you an example of the first step.

The next step was to cover all the white surface with foundation colors. These basic colors will be painted over with appropriate details, values and color harmonies, allowing the influence of the foundation tones to come through here and there. No formulas here, just use a little common sense and choose good foundation tones which will influence the colors painted over in a pleasing harmonious way. The client wants warm, happy, inspirational colors and not cold, dark or depressing colors. The idea is to help create an uplifting and inspirational atmosphere for the company employees. The majority of the employees at Novatek are creative thinkers with engineering degrees. Happy, productive employees leads to greater productivity, which leads to higher profits.

Started Painting Mountain Vista Mural Today 01 / 11 / 2011

Finally got to get out the paintbrush and slap some paint on the wall! It felt good to hold a paintbrush again. Making preparations for this project, I haven't done any studio painting for several weeks. I also need to find new studio space. An interior design business moved into my brothers building so I had to give up the space my younger brother so generously let me use for a while. I am looking for a new studio. I have to keep up my gallery painting. The plan is to work 7-8 hours a day on the Novatek mural project then at least 4 hours in the studio. I have a One Man show in the Springville Museum September 2011 to prepare for.

I forgot my camera today, but tomorrow I will photograph and post the new update on both murals. The walls for the third Novatek building are now up. In a few months, they will be ready for me too.

The "sky color"  I began to block in today is actually a cloud foundation color ( not all skies are blue ). It looks rather dark against the white wall, but as I add more color, eliminating the stark hospital white, this color will begin to make more sense.