HOW TO PAINT A CHILDCARE MURAL
I have just returned from a whirlwind trip to Whyalla, painting a 19m2 mural for Sunrise Christian Early Learning Centre. And I’d love to share with you a few insights into this fabulous project and of course, show you the process and final result.
Here are the most common questions I get from people who stop and chat or DM me on Instagram.
How long did it take to paint it?
This project took 3 full days to paint. They were mammoth days in pretty high heat. Dipping my t-shirt in water and pouring water on my hat to stay cool. If it wasn’t for the travel factor, I would have spread my painting over 5 days. But I was pretty desperate to paint fast to get back to my family in Adelaide. So I pushed through with the heat. Started early and painted right through till sunset.
I often get asked this question and I think it’s important to note that outside of the painting installation, there is a lot of planning that happens in the months leading up to the first day of painting.
The project first started in January when I quoted the wall, discussed ideas with the business manager. Then I developed three concept designs for the Early Learning Centre to choose from.
Once this design was selected we adjusted the colours and then found a date to come onsite and paint in April. I spent at least a day running around to collect materials, 1 day to organise materials and pack plus 2 days of travel on either side of the painting days.
What involvement did the kids have from the ELC?
My first day of painting at the ELC was on a Friday. The kids were so interested in meeting me and asked a million questions before I had even unpacked my gear. It was really gorgeous, about 15 kids, all 3 and under, went and got a chair and sat and watched me tape the window, lay out drop sheets, and get my materials ready. It was really the most boring stage and they were fascinated! I spoke to the group of kids about what I was going to paint and what materials I would be using.
Throughout the day the kids were playing on the playground and riding their bikes past me. They continued to ask me questions and didn’t want to miss anything. They got to see me paint the entire wall purple for the undercoat.
While they were napping and having lunch I drew out the outline of the design. I was careful to not use aerosol while they were around. Over the weekend, when the ELC was closed, I did all of the aerosol painting.
What were the highlights of visiting Whyalla?
Visiting my dear friends the Hamiltons! My friends Dan and Ash and their two girls moved to Whyalla a couple of years ago and I miss them! Getting to paint in their town was a bonus because as soon as the sun went down, I packed up and spent the evenings with them.
Over the weekend my friends visited during the day and I let Dan and Ash and their girls have a go at spray painting. They loved it and tagged the wall with hearts and rainbows!
I dipped my feet in the ocean and love the lush Ada Ryan Gardens. The food and coffee at Eyre Pantry was delicious. I enjoyed my drive to and from Whyalla, the landscape is stunning and so different from what is familiar to me growing up in Victoria. The dirt glows orange and you pass by the Flinders Rangers. It’s just gorgeous.
What’s the weather like in Whyalla?
During my visit in April, I found the sun unexpectantly hot and harsh for Autumn. The mornings were cool and it dropped down quickly from 4 pm. The sky in Whyalla is beautiful. It was so vast with fairy floss sunsets for miles.
What did you learn from this project?
I learned that Kmart's $15 shoes are pretty damn comfy and a bargain for painting shoes! Haha! I accidentally forgot my painting runners and after trying to borrow my friend's shoes I quickly realized I needed the right size. So a quick trip to Kmart at lunch and my feet were much happier.
I find every mural is so fun because I am always learning something new. This is the most complicated design I’ve painted in terms of layering with detail on top of detail. It was a great surface to work with because there wasn’t much climbing needed.
I also tried out a new paper that was attached to painter's tape. That worked so well for the gutter and was a more sustainable option than the plastic type. It’s less flexible but I will keep using it where suitable.
What paint brands did you use?
I used acrylic exterior paint for the background purple and 94s and Hardcore aerosol for the main design. I highly recommend these aerosols, they have so many colours to choose from.
Plus I love the pressure of the can and how they work well together. I purchased my paint from Inspirations Paint Parafield and they were great at ordering the colours I needed before the trip.
How did you do the detail on the design? Do you use a brush for that step?
All of the lines and details I have painted with aerosol on this mural. I used rollers and brushes to paint the background purple.
When I first started painting murals I used painter's tape for every sharp edge and I didn’t know how to “cut in” to make it pointy or thinner. Now with practice, it’s my favourite stage where you get to see the magic. My advice for painting detail is to carry some cardboard with a straight edge and use that to mask and edge or assist you when you have a gutter or pipe on a wall. If it’s a tricky curved surface you might want to use tape.
