Large scale art on buildings
One of the questions we get asked a lot is how we go about the process of creating large scale exterior murals on buildings. Although there are many ways to go about this process there are only a few important factors to consider. Safety, method, technique and practice. Painting murals is very risky so its important to have the best techniques and safety practices in place. Below we will discuss these important factors while preparing to paint a mural.
Safety
First, before any work begins it is important to make sure you do a site visit to ensure all safety precautions are thought through. If you are afraid of heights this is not a good place to practice overcoming that fear. You should be able to move carefully and cautiously. You will be wearing safety equipment, which can sometimes block your view, get in the way or otherwise make it difficult to move around to easily. Staying alert and prepared is the key to avoiding accidents.
Plan for bad weather, traffic, and material delays. Set a day aside for equipment drop-offs and safety measures. Consequently even when you plan every detail of a project you can’t control the weather. Make sure to check the local weather before heading out to the site. Rain will ruin wet paint on exterior walls and cold weather will have slow the paints drying time. Plan for project delays and you will be better prepared to make a more efficient use of the time.
Each site has different site conditions and specific obstacles. Make sure of the following:
Block off areas you are working in to ensure the safety of others and yourself.
Wear a hard hat when needed and use safety harnesses when operating aerial equipment.
Always double check all safety equipment.
Stay alert and aware of your surroundings at all times.
Painting a mural is like working on a construction site. Safety is very important to continue to work properly. If you focus on staying alert and safe you will be creating large scale art murals for years to come.
Method
Second, collaboration and agreement between all artists working on the mural is key. As the Color Dreamers we have had over a decade of working together. We are truly be able to execute each mural with good communication towards our design goals. In the studio we work out any potential flaws in the design. Similarity, we pass our sketches and designs back and forth till we reach a close to perfect design. Sketches allow for good visual communication to all those involved in creating the mural. Sketches communicate the design intention and direction.
When working on such a large scale artwork, making sure that there are no changes during the painting process is crucial to meet deadlines. Many exterior building projects have deadlines for completion, Making changes mid project can be a costly delay for both the artists and designers. Having your sketch on hand at the site will ensure there are no mistakes made.
Technique
Third, large scale murals require a variety different techniques based on the design. Studio practice is important to understanding all of the unique methods of creating art. Nothing compares to hours of practice and years of experience. Knowing how to create different paint effects will save you lots of time. Spend time experimenting with different mediums and colors. Make time to sketch, mix colors and paint. The more skilled you are with your craft the better the mural result will be.
Different tools will give you different results. Exterior large scale art is not just paint brushes. Having a large collection of tools will give you a broader range of techniques. Tools can range from aerosol spray paint, brushes, sponges, stencils, gold leafing and ink. While working with Interior Designers and Architects make sure that they are aware of the different paint techniques as well. As a result the mural should not just be beautiful but representative to the overall design concept.
Practice, practice, practice
Lastly, practice is vital to achieve the best results. The Color Dreamers have worked with many Interior Designers and Architects for various projects over the years. The collaborations between design studios often results in jaw-dropping artwork. Experimenting with art in our studio is a daily practice. Spending the time to develop ideas and techniques is what truly represents our capabilities.
Additionally, we spend a lot of time on developing color schemes, mood boards, and custom samples for clients. Ensuring we use the highest quality materials for each artwork set us apart. Developing unique techniques for each client is what makes our practice successful. Without the years of focus and practice it would be very difficult to create large murals to the level of detail that we can.
Finally
To sum up, take the time to ensure that you meet all safety needs for each project. Plan out all the paint the methods in your studio beforehand. Make sure the techniques you will be using are proper for the scale and style of the project. Painting a large scale mural on the side of a building can be very exhausting and dangerous. You should get comfortable with the fact that at the end of each day your body will be tired, your feet will swell and you may get a sunburn from time to time. However, never let your tiredness get in the way of safety. Always double check all aerial equipment. Plan well and you will be prepared for any obstacle that comes your way.
You can reach out to us HERE with any questions for your next project. Our studio offers professional artists with years of experience and a broad range of artistic styles. Although, we are local Miami artists we travel for many national and international projects. Cheers and until next time!
All images are copywritten by The Color Dreamers LLC