Want to paint that wall?
My first mural experience dates five years back. It all started when Zig Kuretake, a Japanese brand that retails art and calligraphy tools, asked me to do live art on 8ft high wooden panel board using acrylic pens for an event. One event led to another, and the next thing I know, I’ve painted 4 panels in one year. This new found love for a canvas that’s not paper led me to applying for an open call for a local mural festival, even if I had zero experience painting any walls. I was curious. I wanted to paint more. After portfolio reviews and interviews, I got rejected. It was heartbreaking but I challenged myself to gain more experience so I can be more prepared in case there is another opportunity to apply. I was determined.
A few months after, I received an unexpected call from the mural festival organizer asking if I wanted to be an artist apprentice. I immediately said yes not knowing what was in store for me but it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. I was shuffled from one wall to another. I wasn’t really briefed about types of paint or how to go about anything. I was handed a brush immediately and at one point was even driving a manlift with a local artist Kris Abrigo so we can trace his projected design on his assigned wall. Eventually I was partnered with an international artist, Francisco Diaz from Argentina, who paints botanical elements too and this was the wall where we spent most of our days:
That’s me in the middle!
I’m afraid of heights and I haven’t ridden a gondola in my whole life, nor have I ever painted a wall or used a roller brush! But the next 10 days would change my life forever. There was no time to ask for tutorials. I had to jump right in despite my fear of heights, and just tried my best to not make any mistakes. After countless exhausting days, I told myself: I want to paint murals for as long as I can!
I wish there were things that were taught to me about this job, but the process of making mistakes, experimenting, solving problems on site, and learning on the spot added value to my experience. I’ve overspent on some projects, miscalculated the scaling of my design, used the wrong paint type, had rain shower on my unfinished wall, and so on. Fast forward to today, I’ve painted over 60+ commissioned walls, both indoors and outdoors, and I’m packed with lessons that I’m ready to share to those who want to start painting their own murals!
I’ve laid out a workshop that will guide you through the basics of mural painting: from identifying the type of surface to picking a paint compatible with that surface, mixing colors, scaling your designs, color blocking, blending, and some bonus tips on pricing.
Mural painting is a very physical job. Conditions are not always ideal. But there is a sense of fulfillment in finishing a canvas that big. If you’ve always wanted to paint a wall but is clueless on where to start, then this class might be just right for you.
Join here: MURAL PAINTING 101
