Window mural step by step:

I was recently commissioned to do a tapestry mural by a woman who wanted to give her sister in California a unique gift. After contacting me through my website, she told me that there were a few important elements that needed to be included in the scene...specifically a butterfly, a glass of wine, and a bottle of Riesling. So after coming up with a sketch, we agreed on a basic design. I sent the mural today, hopefully her sister will be pleased. I decided to take photos as I went along, so others could see what it is that I do. So what does it take to paint a mural anyway?

Step one, well actually there are several steps to get to "step one". First I tone my canvas with a burnt umber mixture to get rid of the stark white of the canvas. Then I have to draw out the design, measuring everything with a level and ruler to make sure all my lines are straight and the right size. I usually use a watercolor pencil because it is dissolved as I paint and there are no pencil lines left over at the end. To achieve the arch I attach my pencil to a string which is taped in the center. Next I tape off the areas I don't want to get paint on and begin to fill in the base colors in the landscape, and then around the architecture. This first layer generally looks pretty horrible, and I can see the nervousness in many of my clients faces at this stage. But, of course, it gets better.

Step two is when I begin to lay in some of the background detail, defining various objects. Here you can begin to see the trees cascading over the hills in the distance.


Step three is more of the same, layering colors to give the illusion of depth. Now my brush strokes are more deliberate, and the viewer can begin to distinguish a few blades of grass.


For step four I've softened the hills and mountains in the distance, putting a transparent glaze over the entire area to give the feeling of great distance between them and the foreground. I've also randomly painted in the poppy field, layering a few colors there as well. Some highlights have already been put in, and I am now ready to work on the wine bottle and glass.


Step five consists of more layering and highlights to make the glass and bottle appear to be really sitting there on the window ledge. But something important is missing, because as they stand now these items appear to be floating in space. Can you guess what is needed?

What a difference the shadows make! For step six I've "grounded" the trompe l'oeil items (bottle, glass) by painting in the shadows. Shading and shadows also help define the architectural elements. I'm almost done! I just need to darken up those shadows a bit more, add some highlights, and put in the sky.

Voila! It always feels so good when it's finally complete!