How to Paint a Building Mural
- 1). Clean the area where you'll be applying the mural. If there is existing paint on the location, it will need to be sandblasted or scraped off. Mold should be removed by scrubbing the area with a bleach and water solution.
- 2). Draw the outline of the mural with chalk. If you're having a hard time constructing the outline, try projecting the image you'd like to paint onto the wall using a transparency and projector. This will probably not work in full, direct sunlight, so you may need to wait for early morning or late day.
- 3). Fill in areas of paint on the largest shapes of the mural, using a medium to large paintbrush. Do not worry about areas of highlight or shadow yet; simply paint the base color on each shape.
- 4). Paint the details on the mural, using a small to medium-sized paintbrush. The smaller the detail, the smaller the paintbrush. Note that most murals will be so large-scale that they will not include very small details, such as bugs, tiny fine lines and pebbles. Even the small details must be large enough to be visible from at least 6 to 8 feet away.
- 5). Step back from your mural and examine your work. Since your mural will be visible to many people, seek constructive criticism from a few friends or colleagues you trust to give you truthful feedback. Make adjustments as necessary.
- 6). Apply a layer of protective varnish (available at art stores) when you're sure it's finished. Follow the directions for application provided on the varnish label. This is particularly important for protecting a mural outdoors, where the weather and sun will be hard on the paint.