Paint a Mural in a Child's Nursery
Intro: Paint a Mural in a Child's Nursery
My wife and I are expecting a girl. She found a giraffe mural in a magazine that we decided to try. It turned out pretty good. This instructable documents how we did it. It requires what some might call basic art skills like tracing and painting in the lines. Supplies:
Picture of image to be painted on wall
Overhead transparency
Marker
Lamp
Carboard box
Tape
Colored chalk
Paint
Paint brush 1.5 or 2 inches wide
Small paint brushes - the artsy kind
Wall (duh)
Picture of image to be painted on wall
Overhead transparency
Marker
Lamp
Carboard box
Tape
Colored chalk
Paint
Paint brush 1.5 or 2 inches wide
Small paint brushes - the artsy kind
Wall (duh)
STEP 1: Choose Image
My wife found this picture in a catalog. The photo is a picture of the catalog.
STEP 2: Trace Image
Trace your chosen image onto an overhead transparency.
STEP 3: Projection
I made a makeshift projector using a box, a lamp and some tape. Project the transparency onto the wall. I found that using a light bulb without the "frosting" on the inside made for a clearer picture.
STEP 4: Trace Projection
Trace the projected image on the wall with chalk. I used pink chalk since white chalk didn't show up at all and the color I wanted to paint was pink. You can barely see the pink chalk in the attached photo. Looking at the photo I realize you can't see it all all. Take my word for it, there's a chalk outline of the mural.
STEP 5: Paint
Now that that the picture is drawn on the wall in chalk, paint. Just don't go outside the lines. This is the hard part. It takes a steady hand and patience. When doing touch ups I found these two things made a world of difference: 1) Solid lines with smooth edges and 2) A solid coat that does not allow the background color through.
STEP 6: Finish
Finish painting and when the paint dries, wipe the wall down lightly with a clean rag. This will remove the chalk left behind from before. Now step back and marvel at your artistry.
37 Comments
JessicaL67 8 years ago
Libraries are wonderful!!! You can borrow lots of devices and equipment from libraries, many even lend out overhead projectors just for these types of things!
aconner2 8 years ago
Thank You!!! We are moving and I was trying to figure out how to project the mural on the wall since I don't have an overhead projector. THANKS! :-)
JustasS 8 years ago
Thanks for such clear instructions and equally useful photos about
diy
wall mural. I bought some of these from:
http://www.decoshaker.com/wall-murals
Junk2jewels 8 years ago
Awesome way to do a mural and save a bundle on a projector! Thank you so much for sharing!! I'm ready to try this!! Adorable wall you guys did too!
mexicansunrise 9 years ago
Thanks for such clear instructions and equally useful photos. I searched other sites but they were nowhere near as good as this instructable!
Andertoonz 9 years ago
brilliant! Thanks for the projector hack, works perfectly... and for the torch i discovered an iPhone light is an LED and works perfectly!! No need to spend money on a torch or lightbulb! :-D
Teresa Emrich 9 years ago
This is a wonderful "pin". I am a retired teacher, used overhead projectors hundreds of times, but NEVER knew I could build my own. Thank you…we are expecting grand babies in March & May, so this has my "teacher" brain at work.
dana leigh 11 years ago
mmelville3 11 years ago
amg101080 11 years ago
Kbm123 11 years ago
amiii101 11 years ago
sleeder 12 years ago
salbers1 11 years ago
cherokee_dreamer3 11 years ago
cherokee_dreamer3 11 years ago
** I would like to stress using the thicker transparencies rather than the thin ones. The thinner ones will come out somewhat "melted" making the image blurred. Its worth investing extra pennies....! Also make sure you use the right side, but if you don't, they still work....!
cligmercurio 12 years ago
mmelville3 12 years ago
Elaina74 12 years ago
Fader4D8 12 years ago
THANKs!