Go Paint Something!

One usually doesn’t think about planning and drafting supplies when it comes to painting murals, but let me tell you – I couldn’t get along without them!

From developing the initial designs, to providing a scale drawing of the approved mural, planning and drafting supplies are integral to the entire creative process. Seriously! When people stop me and say, “How do you get that big-ass mural on the wall?” I tell them that the first thing I do is draw it to scale! Then they give me this look like I just stepped off of a flying saucer!

Drawing to scale is the same technique that architects use when they design a building. A few simple tools, a couple of lessons, a little bit of practice, and anyone can do this.

Get a 45 and a 30/60 degree triangle, a drafting pencil, an eraser, a lead pointer and some drawing paper. Don’t forget the roll of tracing paper. As far as drafting surfaces are concerned, you at least want something with a parallel bar on it. This takes the place of the old-fashioned T-square. 

As far as size is concerned, bigger is not necessarily better.  I’ve worked on everything from a laptop table to a full-size 72” 4-poster drafting board – whatever it takes! I do know that the laptop, or table-top version, is very portable, so you can take it with you. Or you can set it up on the kitchen table.

Again, you absolutely need this equipment to make a professional presentation.

It also helps tremendously when it comes to figuring out how certain elements are going to have to be drawn on the wall.

Let’s say that you have brick cornices detailed with arches that have to be drawn in perspective. Draw it to scale first, and then take your drawing with you up on the scaffolding. Using your architect’s scale, take your measurements from the drawing.

It really is that easy!

You gotta be professional and planning and drafting supplies are just the vehicle that will take you from a good muralist or painter to a true professional. I can’t live without them!

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