Start Small
“I recommend starting small,” Jackson says. “You’re going to learn a lot as you go.” Plan a mural in a spot behind or above a dresser or shelf, a corner or small hallway, or any other minor area you want a jolt of pattern or color. “That way, if you mess up, so what? It’s a lot easier painting over 10 square feet than 100.”
Design Your Mural
Geometry 101: “You can re-create about 90 percent of my murals with circles and lines,” Jackson says. “I often start a design by making a bunch of squares and circles in Adobe Illustrator and rearranging them in different ways, adding curves and more shapes until it starts to build itself.” Paper Play: If computers aren’t your jam, cut a bunch of paper paint chip samples into circles, squares, and strips, then arrange them until you come up with a design. Jackson says it’s “almost like building a mural out of paper.” Smartphone: Snap a picture of a blank wall with your phone; use the photo markup tool to digitally draw a design on the picture.
Choose a Paint Palette
Jackson suggests pulling a combination of colors from a favorite fabric, piece of art, or anything that has a palette that makes you happy. This is a great place to start if you’re new to murals because you can easily see how the colors work together. Another idea: Consult the wall of paint chips at your local paint or hardware store. “Start with a color you’re drawn to,” Jackson says. “For my living room mural, I knew I like reds and oranges, so I started there.” Keep pulling chips you like and arrange them until you find a good balance. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stick to one of the online palettes preselected by paint companies. Take screenshots of colors you like and lay them out on your computer screen to find an order that works.
Handy Paint Tips
Stock your kit with Jackson’s most-used brushes and tools:
2-inch angled sash brushNylon detail brushes in assorted sizes4-inch roller4-foot levelPainters tapePencils
Use a ruler, level, and pencil to get equally spaced and straight lines. If using painter’s tape (versus painting freehand), Jackson suggests first painting over the tape edge with the wall color. Once that coat is dry, it seals the edge so the new color can’t seep under the tape. After you’ve drawn the curves with a DIY compass, you need a steady hand and clean, soft brushes to get a crisp line. Jackson paints the outlines with a 2-inch angled sash brush ($6, The Home Depot) and detail brushes then fills the design using a roller ($10 for two, Walmart). Jackson also recommends using matte or flat paint to avoid shine that might distract from the final colors and effect. She also uses aby wipes to quickly erase a whoops, then she goes right back in with a brush to clean the edge.
