From family activities that involve arts and crafts to drawing and making music together, everyone can find something that will bring out their creativity. If you are looking for a fun project that the whole family can get involved with, make a wall mural! Creating a wall mural is the perfect way to get creative and create something beautiful that can be enjoyed for a long time. In this article, we will discuss how you can come up with a mural design, create a plan, and bring it to life. Whether you are looking for a themed mural to decorate a nursery or just looking for something fun for your living room, you will find out how to make it happen.
1. Benefits of Working together on a Family Project
- Teams: Working together on a family project provides the perfect opportunity to strengthen familial bonds and create a sense of unity. As a team, you’ll need to decide on the overall design for the mural, the supplies needed and who will be taking part in the painting.
- Skills: A family project is a great way to develop practical skills per person, some people might take care of the measurements, while others might choose the materials for the mural. Everyone can use their own strengths to contribute to the project and everyone can learn in the process.
- Fun: Working side by side on a mural wall is really fun! From brainstorming ideas to the actual painting, there’s something for everybody to do. It is a meaningful way for everyone to have an impact and feel part of a creative process.
- Achievement: A family project is a wonderful way to use teamwork to make something special and complete it together. Everyone can celebrate the accomplishment and be proud of what was created. The family mural wall will serve as a lasting reminder of the act that brought everyone together.
2. Defining the Space for a Wall Mural
Pick a Location: For your wall mural, you need to pick a location that will best serve the purpose. Usually this is a visible spot, like an entryway, living room, or bedroom wall. Think about how the material of the wall might affect your design, such as a brick wall that introduces a texture to the mural.
Measuring the Space:Whether you are working on a canvas or an indoor wall, you’ll need to measure the area you will be painting. Measure the height and width, and take into account any architectural elements in the room, like windows, doors, alcoves, or stairwells that could affect your layout.
Determining the Theme: What kind of design do you want your mural to feature? Is it going to be realistic, abstract, or perhaps an intricate pattern? Answering this will help you make decisions about the materials, colors, and design of the mural, and aid you in starting your project.
- Do research on possible designs or ideas you can use.
- Learn about wall mural materials and different painting tools.
- Pick a color scheme for the mural.
- Brainstorm specific elements to be incorporated in the design.
3. Tools and Materials Needed
For this family project, you’ll need to gather up some basic materials for designing a wall mural. Here is a list of items to collect:
- Large art canvas, or a blank wall
- Paintbrushes, rollers, and other paint accessories
- High quality acrylic paint
- Mixing palette
- Drop cloths and painting tarps
- Masking tape and painter’s tape
- Container for cleaning your brushes with soapy water
- Spray bottle filled with water
- Paper towels
In addition, you might need certain types of art and drawing supplies depending on the type of mural you’re designing. These include a ruler, graphite pencils, erasers, and other tools like feather dusters and scrapers. You’ll also need a few household items, such as paper plates for mixing paints, and containers for your brushes. Finally, some people like to use an overhead projector to help them with their design.
4. Brainstorming Ideas and Preparing a Game Plan
- Gather Visual References: Start by collecting inspirational images or references. Anything can be helpful, whether it’s a photo of a favorite painting, a drawing found in a magazine, or elements of a character from a movie. This is a good way to build a visual library of elements to be used in the wall mural.
- Brainstorm Ideas: Brainstorming is a great way to generate ideas. Anything goes – there’s no right or wrong. Start off by discussing different types of themes the wall mural could have and work from there. This is a great opportunity for everyone to be creative and think out of the box.
- Develop a Concept: Develop a concept for the wall mural based on the ideas generated during the brainstorm session. Lay the foundation by answering the “why.” Figure out what message you would like to convey with your wall mural, like expressing family values, sharing its story, or celebrating a milestone.
- Design a Game Plan: Decide who’s going to do what, when it’s going to be done, and how. Create a timeline of the project, get the necessary supplies, and establish any rules that need to be followed during the process. Everyone in the family should be involved and help make the project a success.
5. Important Steps to Follow When Designing a Wall Mural
1. Identify a Focal Point – Draw inspiration from your surroundings to identify a central image or theme for the mural. Decide on an ideal colour palette or visual feel for the piece.
2. Sketch Out a Plan – Using graph paper or a simple whiteboard, sketch the main outline of the mural. Emphasize desired shapes, images, and ground coverage.
3. Consult professionals for guidance – If possible, talk to design professionals to get their take on the project. They will likely be able to offer advice that can improve the overall outcome.
4. Fine tune the details – Make sure to measure and cut any necessary materials to the exact desired size. Paint the mural in sections and use a good quality lengthenable tape to make sure lines stay straight.
5. Have fun – Finally, make sure you enjoy the process! A wall mural is a great family project that should become a source of joy and pride.
6. Establishing an Execution Timeline
Once the images and sources of materials for the project are chosen, it’s time to establish an execution timeline for the wall mural. Here are 6 easy steps to get you started:
- Gather the supplies: Make sure that all of the supplies needed for the mural have been purchased. This could include items like paint, brushes, rulers, spray adhesive, and any other tools you plan to use.
- Prepare the wall: Clean and prime the wall before beginning. Consider the texture, color, and other components of the wall and prepare accordingly.
- Layout the design: Begin by sketching the design of the mural on the wall. It is easier to work with a pencil than paint, so be sure to use a light color when drawing. If necessary, use painter’s tape to hold planks or other architecture elements in place.
- Start painting: Begin with the background of the mural, then add the details. Take your time and let each layer of paint dry before moving on to the next.
- Add finishing touches: Once the painting is finished, add any finishing touches to the mural, such as glitter, wax, or other embellishments.
- Clean up and celebrate: Don’t forget to clean up, and when you have the mural finished, celebrate!
Creating a timeline for the wall mural project will help ensure it is completed in an orderly and timely manner. Following these steps will guide you through the process of starting and finishing your family’s wall mural project.
7. Finishing Touches for Your Wall Mural
Once you’ve created your mural, you’re almost done! Now is the time to adorn your masterpiece with a few finishing touches to bring your design to the next level. Here are some ideas to ensure your mural shines:
- 5-10 coats of sealant. Sealant will protect your mural from dirt, oils, and keep it vibrant in the long run. Since murals often include fragile materials such as paper or newsprint, this extra layer of protection will extend its longevity.
- Edging. Edging is especially beneficial if you’re adding a mural to drywall. Using either a paintable, self-adhesive joint tape or corner bead can help create a specialized finish.
- Matte or glossy finish. Glossy finishes are good for creating drama in certain areas, while matte is more subtle and creates a softer look. It’s a good idea to go with one or the other, as using both finishes together can make the mural look chaotic.
- An extra, wide mural border. I suggest a two-inch border around the edges of your mural. These extra inches can make all the difference and will balance the design by allowing a bit of space between the objects or figures in your mural and the edges.
- Accent lighting. Incorporate LED lighting into your mural to create an extra-special look. Electricians will be able to run lights over the mural, depending on what kind of lighting system you have.
Once your mural is complete, you can put together a wishlist of supplies for the final touches to make your family project come to life!
8. Tips for Enjoying and Appreciating Your Family Creation
1. Take your time. Don’t rush the process of designing a wall mural. Instead, plan to work on the mural for a few dedicated hours each week. This will ensure that you have the time and energy to relax while you work on it.
2. Appreciate the little things. Invest time in noticing and appreciating the contributions of others. Look for the small details that each family member added to the mural. Point them out and express appreciation for add-ons that you might not have thought of.
3. Celebrate the unique contributions.
Invite each family member to explain what their contribution means to them. This will help you appreciate the finished product more because you’ll understand the symbolism behind specific objects.
4. Capture the process. Document the process, for example with pictures and video recordings. Discuss the wall mural with each other and write down quotes. This way, you can keep your memories of the project alive even after the final product is done.
5. Spend time inside the mural. Spend time together in the same room as the wall mural and talk, laugh, and create. Alternatively, you could organize a family picnic in the same room and enjoy the mural together. It will help you bond and create strong memories of the experience.
6. Keep the design intact. Once the mural is finished, make sure that the design stays intact. Hang artwork carefully and don’t move things around too much. This will make sure that the artwork looks its best for the longest time and all of the hard work you put into it pays off.
7. Show it off. Invite friends and family to show off the final wall mural. Interact with them and explain to them why the mural is special to your family. This is also a great opportunity to spread the word about your family’s creativity and how you enjoyed the experience.
8. Framing. Furthermore, consider framing the finished wall mural and hanging it in a prominent spot in your home. This will forever imprint the time spent creating it and serve as a constant reminder of the importance of family.
Creating a mural for a wall in your house is not only a creative way to bring your family’s artwork together, but it can create a lasting memory for all involved to enjoy. Whether you choose to have a group project or work alone, give your family the opportunity to work on something that celebrates their values and creativity! Have fun!