Posted by
Vanessa Grant
Thursday, August 27, 2009 10:17 AM EDT
Earlier this year, my talented friend Leann (photographer, painter, makeup artist...) created this impressive Winne the Pooh mural on her friend's nursery wall using an overhead projector and a mix of latex paints for the background and craft paints for the characters.
While not everyone has the artistic abilities to make Eeyore look like a Renoir, you can certainly use Leann's techniques and tips to bring some life to your own kids' walls. (And keep reading to see photos of the process from beginning to end.)
- Keep It Simple Choose a few main focal points. The more you add to the walls, the more cluttered the room will look.
- Use The Space Wisely Leann and the parents-to-be decided on floating Pooh characters so they'd be high enough on the wall that they wouldn't be blocked by furniture.
- Do Your Research Spend time online searching for the types of images you want. Leann suggests looking for printable colouring pages so you get plain black outlines of the characters or shapes you want.
- A Wall Projector is a Must Rent, borrow or buy a projector. (Ask at your kids' school or the local library.) Leann says that it puts things into better perspective. You get a chance to play with image sizes and only have to trace once instead of tracing and erasing over and over again.
- Buy Paint Extender If you're using craft paint instead of expensive acrylics, you should splurge on craft paint extender (it goes for about $18). It keeps the paint wet longer and allows you more time to blend.
- Take Your Time Obviously give yourself lots of time so that baby doesn't arrive to too many fresh paint fumes but while you're working, don't rush. If you get frustrated walk away. You'll only do more damage by forcing something that's not working. Come back when you've cooled off and are feeling more patient.
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