Murals have become a larger part of everyday life. Wall paintings in Dubai are done more frequently in homes, restaurants, and other public places within cities.
The word ‘mural’ has been derived from the Latin word ‘murus’ which means wall. It can be defined as any piece of artwork painted or applied directly onto a wall, ceiling, or any other larger permanent surface which may be flat, concave, or convex, to be precise.
Murals have been around since the beginning of humankind when the first humans created cave paintings on walls. Murals have since been observed in classical architecture and cities when they became a dominant form of public art. While many of us see murals outdoors, they can, in fact, be created on surfaces both outside and inside of buildings or structures.
Mural Techniques for Wall Painting In Dubai
To begin with the wall painting in Dubai you’ll need a sketch of the mural the one you’ll transfer onto the wall. You may use the grid method or art projector to enlarge the image onto the wall.
6 Mural Painting Techniques to Try
While there is no one right way to paint a mural, there are a few popular mural painting techniques used among artists. These are just six of them, in no particular order:
1. Sponging
Sponging is perhaps the most commonly used and simple mural painting technique.
To sponge, you require a sponge, excess water, and acrylic paint.
- Step 1. You need to wet your sponge and squeeze out excess water.
- Step 2. Dip your damp sponge lightly into the paint,
- Step 3. Use a paper towel to blot, and start to paint your mural.
This technique may not be ideal for fine details but is good for creating a sense of texture. Sponging is a more commonly used handy mural technique for quickly filling in large areas with color.
Because it can easily cover surfaces made from brick and concrete, this is one of the most popular wall painting techniques in Dubai.
2. Stenciling
Stenciling is just like using a ready-made outline of what you want to draw and paint on the wall. Stencils come in varied sizes and shapes. This is another popular wall painting technique in Dubai because it’s easy to complete with minimal materials needed. You can also do it yourself by making a stencil from cardboard or plastic. Using a stencil method is fairly simple and anyone can do it.
- Step 1. Arrange for the stencil of the shape you require. Stencils can be in the shape of alphabets, numerics, objects, flowers, animals, logos, etc.
- Step 2. You will need to stick the stencil to the wall using tape. You may either just make an outline and use paints later for finesse. Or use paint right away along with the stencil. Take precautions around the edges of the stencil to avoid buildup or bleeding.
- Step 3. Use a circular motion while using paint.
With a stencil, you can choose to utilize it as an outline to add details later or for more fine-line work. Because it’s a more accurate method, it’s a great indoor wall painting technique in Dubai.
3. Stippling
Stippling is a unique mural technique where dots of various colors are added together to create more of an illusion and a sense of depth. This method may also be used for pen and ink art, however, applying it to a mural is surprisingly easy. While the paint is still wet, dab it with a dry stippling brush and dab a new color around the layer until it is stippled (like a lot of little dots). This mural painting technique is ideal for creating illusions like fields, woods, and oceans without much work.
Stippling is one of the popular wall painting techniques in Dubai for creating detail without worrying about smooth blending.
- Step 1. Apply a layer of paint known as an underpainting.
- Step 2. Once it is dry, apply a thin coat of a different color on top of it (for example, a yellow-orange or a darker yellow).
- Step 3. Use a dry stippling brush, and dab the wet paint with a new color. If done correctly, the new color will no longer look “brushed on” and some of the underpainting will show through.
You can repeat this mural technique multiple times with different colors. till you achieve the desired painting. This is a nice wall painting technique in Dubai for creating the illusion of an ocean with shades of blue, along with a beautiful sunset.
4. Glazing
If you want your acrylic paint to “stretch” more over the wall, try this mural painting technique.
- Step 1. Mix the acrylic paint with an acrylic medium glazing liquid.
- Step 2. It will make the mixture more translucent. When you paint a glaze on the wall, the color underneath will show through.
This is an easy mural technique for adding dimension and shading to your mural.
5. Antiquing
The name itself suggests what it would look like if you would use antiquing as a mural technique in your wall painting in Dubai. You can give a mural an old antique look by using this method.
- Step 1. To antique a wall, mix your desired color (usually siena or umber to create an aged look) with an acrylic glazing medium, using the ratio of 4 to 5 parts glaze to 1 part paint.
- Step 2. Brush the mixture onto your wall and quickly – while the paint is still wet – run a clean rag or cheesecloth over the paint to spread it around.
For an added effect, you can use this technique to add an even darker color to the corners and edges of the wall.
6. Painting
This is a basic technique of wall painting in Dubai using a classic brush and acrylic paint. While this may not be ideal for filling in large areas with color, this classic method is great for adding details, finesse, and personal touches. The best part of this mural painting technique is that you can divide the work between two or more people.
How to Paint a Mural – A complete guide for wall painting in Dubai
Sketch Your Design
To start off you need to have an image or a basic sketch of what you plan to paint on the wall. If you are painting for someone else or it is a commission base you need to sit and discuss with the client of the possible options of what the client expects as a final result. What type of mural would he/she like to have? Should it be landscape or more abstract? Make a quick sketch of a design that you would like to see turned into a mural.
Choose a wall
Where would the client like to paint the mural? Living rooms are a popular choice. Look for a large area that’s going to be big enough for the design.
Prepare the Location
After the wall has been finalized, it is always better to clear the surrounding area. You may want to move the unwanted furniture or any other items that obstruct or get could possibly get damaged while painting. You could also cover them with a cloth or plastic.
Prep the Wall
It is necessary that you clean the wall first and get rid of any marks or dirt on the wall. You can simply do so by using soap and water. After you’ve cleaned the wall once, do it one more time to make sure that it’s well cleaned and ready to go. The next step is to prime the wall. This not only helps to cover up what was on the wall previously but also helps the paint to stick to the wall.
Outline the large shapes
This can be done using the grid method or an art projector. Take out the sketch you made and divide it into a grid. Divide the sketch into a grid of 1-inch squares. Then count the number of grids both ways-vertically and horizontally. Use the same number of squares on the wall but much larger in size. This will help keep everything in place. Transfer your grid and the design to the wall using a pencil. Ignore the details for now and get the basic design for now.
Choose Your Paint
There are several different types of paints that are available. Using acrylic paint for smaller areas and detail work while using latex paint for covering a large surface works best. Choose a paint with a matte or eggshell finish to avoid glares on the mural.
Painting the Mural
Painting the mural depends on what the image demands. Choose the mural technique accordingly. Using a paintbrush or a roller usually works best. You can choose the brush size depending on the intracity of the work.
Sealing the Mural (Optional)
Depending on where the mural is placed you may want to seal it using an acrylic varnish to cover the work and protect it from greasy handprints. For example, if your mural is in a high-touch area such as a kid’s room, you’ll definitely want to seal it. Allow the mural to dry completely before moving any furniture back against the wall.
There are many mural artists available in the U.A.E. Find the best freelance mural artists at reasonable prices online.