Things People Always Get Wrong About Painting Murals
People often imagine mural painting like this: the artist shows up, paints all day in flowy clothes, and voilà! Mural done.
Reality? It's way more involved. Let's break down the most common myths I hear:
1. "It only takes a day, right?"
Nope. Murals take days, sometimes weeks and even months. There are several steps involved, including preparation, priming, sketch transfer, drying time, layering, and sealing. And don't get me started on weather delays. You don't simply show up and paint. A significant amount of work needs to be done before production can begin.
2. "You must use a projector."
Not always. Sometimes I use a traditional grid. Sometimes I doodle-grid. Sometimes I freehand. Sometimes I project. It depends on the surface, the design, and the space. There's no one-size-fits-all. Additionally, please refrain from shaming artists for using projectors; ultimately, these tools are designed to assist us, and they serve a purpose. There is no need to make things harder on everyone by refusing to use a projector or ridiculing artists who do.
3. "You just pick colours that look pretty."
Sure, aesthetics matter. However, I also consider cultural symbolism, brand alignment, lighting conditions, and the psychology of colour. It's strategic. I am someone known for using very bold colour combinations, with hypersaturated and loud colour palettes. And I must say that mixing colours is in itself an art. Believe me when I say that many people struggle with selecting the right colours.
4. "You must be an extrovert to paint in public."
Not true. I love connecting with folks while I paint, but I also need my quiet time. You don't need to be loud to make a significant impact on a wall. Additionally, people do not stare at you the entire time you are painting. I find that there is a proper balance; you also have to be comfortable being exposed to the public gaze. Some folks will engage in talking with you, some others will tell you "your art is crap", "I could paint that," or "why would they pay you for that?" but at the end of the day, you have to be diplomatic and find a way to ignore those types of comments.
5. "It's just painting."
Murals are design, storytelling, problem-solving, manual labour, and a whole lot of heart. Yes, it's painting, but it's so much more than that. It requires a lot of thinking in advance, planning and knowledge beforehand. You also need to know yourself as an artist to calculate how much time you need, how you will approach a wall, and what the course of action for a wall will be. If you are using a lift (such as a boom or scissor), you will need to account for the height when painting. It is an interesting set of skills, not just painting and basta.
🎨 Curious what the mural process looks like?
If you've ever been surprised by how much goes into painting a wall, you're not alone. I love demystifying mural work, and if you've got a wall in mind (or just a dream), let's talk. My mural guide walks you through the real steps, tools, and planning you'll need to bring an idea to life.