How To: Paint Your Own Wall Mural

Caroline's DIY mural project is a beauty and a great inspiration for those of you looking to spice up your bedroom decor (or any room, for that matter) and those bare walls with silhouette style designs or graphics by using a simple projector...a technique she's been so kind to share with us below...

I designed the mural for my sisters bedroom. The drawing was done in Illustrator and then projected on the wall using a video projector.

I traced the outline with a pencil. And then started filling it in making sure the pencil marks we're covered. I used artist paint brushes for this. It took about 3 coats to get the color right.

I used lacquer paint because it was a leftover from a different project but I would advise people to use emulsion or acrylic paint for a smoother finish (with lacquer it's very hard to get rid off 'stripes' from the paint brush.)

[Thanks to Caroline of Carrie Can]

Comments (11)

Hmmm... I wonder if anyone I know has a projector I could borrow...
Or I could do it the difficult way and print out of the design on multiple sheets of cardstock, cutout the design, and assemble the pages on the wall.

posted by sparkle on February 9th 2009 at 7:48pm
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for how cheap wall mural stickers are, and for how much hassle this looks like, id much rather just buy something

posted by serrakat on February 9th 2009 at 8:00pm
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So lovely. I love silhouettes. And the colors are great. I wish MY sister would come over and do this to my apartment!

posted by carolyn_suzanne on February 9th 2009 at 8:04pm
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My problem is the projector:/ I've seen this idea in the British show "changing rooms" many times, but no one I know has a projector and definitely I'm not buying one:/

posted by ciaobellasofia on February 9th 2009 at 8:17pm
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Why would a projector be a problem? You can get a craft projector for less than 30 bucks, or even better, just walk into a Michael's with one of their billions of coupons and pick a no-namebrand one for less than 15. The problem is getting the brushstrokes straight, THAT is the problem. lol Great job!

posted by Djluckyonline on February 10th 2009 at 12:39am
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lol they f*cked up my direct link, but here goes the long version:

http://www.hearthsong.com/hearthsong/product.do?section_id=0&bc=1005&pgc=375&country=0&occ=1005&cm_mmc=merc_datafeed-_-product-_-375&mr:referralID=NA&mr:trackingCode=F136F3C0-4DF6-DD11-80A9-000423C27502

posted by Djluckyonline on February 10th 2009 at 12:41am
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Very nice!
I did the same yesterday in my bedroom with an Obey Giant image.
I'd like to show it to you, how can I send you the photos?

posted by Mayadila on February 10th 2009 at 5:05am
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I love the IKEA bedsheets!!!! Was thinking of getting them myselves but didnt know they had them for a double bed.
Anyway great painting! Would to try it myself!

posted by Meindert on February 10th 2009 at 1:23pm
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Our library rents projectors, if you were so inclined.

posted by 2kidsandus on February 12th 2009 at 12:26am
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I feel so honoured to have my project featured on here. Unfortunately somehow the link to my blog was lost so here it is http://carriecan.blogspot.com

Oh and Serrakat, you would be surprised how easy it is, it took me only 15 minutes a paint layer...

posted by CarrieCan on February 12th 2009 at 5:33pm
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Using a projector is so much quicker and more accurate, and you can paint things you normally wouldnt believe you are capable of!
I teach art to teenagers and they're amazed at how good their work is after using just a simple old overhead projector.
You might be able to pick one up from a school that is throwing thier olds ones out.
http://melbcitymurals.com.au

posted by Joanna.S on September 11th 2009 at 12:50am
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