Hollie's Painting Corner

Painting a Subject

2006-08-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

Contrary to what some might think, most artists do not carry details of objects in their heads, we rely on photographs, drawings, reference books....whatever we can find to help us depict what we want to portray. A good idea when using photographs is to make certain they are not copyright protected. I like to take my own photos and have an incredible friend, Mark, who takes pictures of Florida wildlife. I used one of his photos to create the flying Ibis.

To begin a subject, try to discern the underlying mid-range value of the subject and block the subject in with that (or those) colors. Using the mid-range color(s) allows you to go darker and lighter when filling in the details. For the ibis, I used a mid-grey base in some areas and a taupe in others.

This blog was created by Hollie the Mural Artist. Check out my website at http://holliebrooks.com .

Mural Placement

2006-08-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

As with any other type of painting, the first step is to find the horizon line. I have discovered this is the easiest step to execute simply by looking out a window in the room or an adjacent room and matching the horizon to the one outside.

Now the decision is where to put your vanishing point. This is the point where all objects in the mural would eventually disappear and is on the horizon line. I do not like to make my vanishing point in the exact center of the horizon line, although many mural artists will do this for balance if they are making a trompe l'oeil window or something similar.

Next, you need to decide your point of perspective. This is the location of the eye level of the viewer. Although it is easier to use my eye level, I try to use the combined eye levels of the client(s). This is important for placing object views. Are you looking up or down at something - to the right or left....

Selecting your light source is next. You have the decision of using the natural windows in the room as your light source, and/or the imaginary light source you will be painting in your mural. This is essential for shading and shadows.

Once you have done these things you can begin placement.

String Placement: you can tape a string at your vanishing point to determine the perspective in your mural. Chalking in lines from the vanishing point to each corner helps you to draw objects which are linear and recede into the background, such as floors, columns and lines of trees.

Grid Placement: You can create horizontal and vertical gridlines on your sketch, then draw then on the wall and copy your sketch to the wall, square to square.

Eyeball Placement: You look at your sketch and determine it's placement on the wall, chalk each object in and then block them in with a watered down neutral shade of paint.

Projector Placement: You can project your sketch onto the wall using a projector. These can be purchased online or at art stores.

The perspective drawing in this blog is from http://mathforum.org

This blog was created by Hollie the Mural Girl. Check out my website: http://holliebrooks.com

What color to use for the background

2006-08-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

Once your sketch is approved by the client, you must decide if the wall you are going to apply your art to needs to be repainted. Is it a flat finish? If so, satin is much better for a smooth flow of your paint, especially if you are adding a faux technique as the background.

Next is the decision of color. Do you want the mural to have bright colors? Use white as the base. Do you want more muted? Use a shade of off-white. An off white base color will also add the beginnings of atmosphere to your mural. Allow your base color to dry for at least 24 hours.

Be sure to figure background color painting into your job cost.

Pictured is a palm tree with copper accents on a faux painted background.

This tip was posted by Hollie the Mural Girl, to view my website go to http://www.holliebrooks.com

The Sketch

2006-08-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

The complexity of your sketch is entirely up to you but you must remember, unless your client has seen your work before, it is the major selling point.
Pictured are a sketch and the final mural.

This was posted by Hollie the Mural Girl. To view my website go to http://holliebrooks.com

Marketing your art

2006-08-10T23:05:00.000-07:00

This painting was donated for auction at a well-attended event. It is a good idea to get your name out there whenever and wherever you can.

To view my web site go to http://www.holliebrooks.com