UNM Figure Painting Fall 2013: Large Scale Painting

Student(s): Lydia Gosling & Nick Fleming

Topic: Large Scale Paintings - Murals

1. What is this?

a. A mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly large permanent surface, usually in public space. A unique characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture. In the process of large scale paintings, the average artist will use spray-paints, oil paints, and acrylic paints. Usually when murals are done there will be a client who will have a specific idea to which the artist will stick to, and a detailed design and layout of the proposed mural with a price quote that the client approves before the muralist starts on the work. The area to be painted can be gridded to match the design allowing the image to be scaled accurately step by step. In some cases the design is projected straight onto the wall and traced with pencil before painting begins. Some muralists will paint directly without any prior sketching, preferring the spontaneous technique.

2. Why Use it?

a. Murals are important in that they bring art into the public space. For artists, their work gets a wide audience who otherwise might not set foot in an art gallery. Many murals that are commissioned by a city or sponsored otherwise are usually based on how the city identifies itself, showing cultural aspects.

Gamma - L.A. Underground

Dave Briggs - Astro-Zombies

Berlin Wall

ABOVE - Occupy Installation

Mural Restoration on a Sheppard Fairey Piece

If a mural becomes defaced, to remove spray paint and marker used to make graffiti, a restorer or the original artist can sit on a bucket in front of the mural, slowly dabbing the tagged portion of it with a solvent-soaked Q-Tip. The restorer can’t use a lot of solvent at one time, or else the original piece will be harmed. In extreme cases, the surface can just be repainted with a primer and then left blank or repainted with a new image.
Local artists such as Dave Briggs and Gamma have been commissioned to do murals outside of specialty shops such as Astro-Zombies and L.A. Underground.

However many artists like to make a statement with their art, showing taboo imagery or revealing imagery that will make a change in the way people look at certain ideas. Murals are a great way to show political ideas and revolutionary support such as the Berlin Wall. While on the East Berlin side painting was not allowed, artists painted on the Western side of the Wall from the '80s until the fall of the Wall in 1989. Or more recently as the Occupy Movement, this piece done by ABOVE titled, "Give a wall street Banker enough rope." A city block long installation in Miami, U.S.A. 2011.

3. Best Surfaces and tools for adhesion/ use?

a. The best surfaces for artists to work on are usually walls, ceilings or other large permanent surface.

4. How Do I Clean up? Solvent?

5. What Other media can this material be used with?

a. This material can also use regular house paint, or latex paints with brushes.

6. How Do I Need to finish this/ seal/ treat surface once finished?

a. Murals can be given coats of varnish or protective acrylic glaze to protect the work from UV rays and surface damage.

7. Longevity? Does This spoil/ deteriorate

a. The longevity of a mural really depends on several factors, interior or exterior? Painted concrete block, brick, or Drywall? Full sun or shade? Does it get really hot or cold? Does the wall seep or leak? Murals painted outside should last at least 15-20 years before it starts to show signs of fading, or longer if treated it with a topcoat. If it is an indoor mural it could last forever.

8. Safety Precautions to use when handling?

a. When painting with toxic materials, proper face masks should be worn along with gloves.

II. Artists Who use this. (Include Links and images where necessary).

a. Gamma - http://gammagallery.com/