Hopefully this page will answer many of the questions you might have about getting a mural painted.

1. Initially
Contact me and we can discuss your ideas and work out a plan of action. If you don't know what you want, I will be able to design something for you.

2. Visit
I can meet you at the site you are planning the mural to discuss your ideas and requirements. This will give me a chance to meet you and get a better idea of what you have in mind. At this stage you can show me any ideas or reference material that has inspired you and go over where you want the mural. I will not charge you for this meeting but unfortunately due to the extremely high fuel tax if you live miles away we will have to agree something to cover my diesel.

3. Design
Once you have decided you want a mural then I will go ahead and produce some artwork for your project. For this I will require a deposit of £100 to cover design time and costs. This will be deducted from the final price.

Stage One.
I will make some initial sketches and idea boards based on what we have spoken about, this is to see if we are singing the same tune and with your feedback get a clearer idea of what you have in mind.

Stage Two.
This is where I start putting together ideas into various scenes to see what is working.

Stage Three.
This involves creating a final artwork for your mural by developing ideas from the initial sketches.

Stage Four.
Once you are happy with the designs I will get you to sign your approval. I find this method achieves the best results and by involving you as much as possible in the design process it gives you a mural that is right for you. Take a look at the Design page for examples of the design sheets you can expect to see.

4. Paint
Once you have checked and approved the designs then we are good to go and the fun bit can start, painting the mural. I will need a further deposit of around 25% of the agreed price this allows me to get everything ready in preparation of starting your mural. The time I spend on site painting the mural is dependant on the complexity of the design . My working day is around 8 hours but I can fit around a schedule and do hours to suit you.

5. Payment
Once the mural is finished and you are happy with your new addition the outstanding balance will need to be paid. Less the deposits.

If you can think of anything else please ask and I'll try to answer.

On What
Depending on the finish you require, I can paint on most surfaces inside or outside including: plaster, brick and block work, wood, wallpaper (not vinyl's), render / textured concrete and of course canvas and all paper materials.

Where
I am based in Bournemouth in Dorset but I am willing to travel just about anywhere. England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales even further afield America, Australia, Vietnam etc. If we can come to some agreement on my travel and accommodation, I'll paint pretty much anywhere.


Domestic or Commercial
I have experience in painting domestic and commercial environments and have a fair bit of experience working alongside other trades in construction and themed display with interior designers and of course other muralists.


Paint
The paint I use is a mix of artist acrylic, Rosco Super Saturated and Dulux Vinyl Matt. I find these give me the results I am looking for and provide a finish with lasting colour and durability. Being acrylic based all paint and finishes are non-toxic and fumes are never an issue.

I have supplied links to

Rosco Super Saturated
http://www.rosco.com/uk/scenic/supersaturated.asp

Winsor and Newton Galeria Range
http://www.winsornewton.com/main.aspx?PageID=100

Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt
http://www.icipaints.co.uk/products/info/dulux_trade_vinyl_matt.jsp

If required I can apply a few coats of acrylic matt glaze or varnish to protect the mural making it durable enough for even the toughest wear and tear.

Preparation
You've probably heard this a million times, but preparation is key to a good result.

For walls
All loose material should be removed and any holes should be filled, then a coat or two of white matt emulsion.

For new plaster walls
New plaster should be allowed to dry fully before anything is done to the wall. The new plaster will have to be coated with a sealer and then painted with watered down white paint ratio 20:80 paint. Allow to dry and then one normal coat of white matt emulsion. Disco.

Wallpaper
Ideally the wallpaper should be clean and flat with no loose areas. If not, remove and apply lining paper to the manufacturers guidelines and undercoat with white matt emulsion. Unfortunately vinyl wallpaper will have to be removed and replaced with lining paper or something as the paint just won't stick to it.

Texture
Some textured walls lend themselves nicely to mural work especially roughly plastered walls. Artex can sometimes be a problem but depending on the finished texture, they can be worked on.

If you are uncomfortable about preparing the surface, get a local decorator in to do it for you, it shouldn't cost that much. Failing that I have a fair knowledge of the painting and decorating process and should be able to help you out.


How Big
As big or as small as you like really. I have undertaken murals that are absolute monsters followed by really intricate canvas paintings.


Time Scale
Depending on the size and complexity of the mural times vary from a couple of days to weeks. For example both The Pooh Nursery and Disney Princess Mural took around 4 days each. Then for about a week to 10 days there is the Underwater Bedroom. Then around 10 -15 days each to paint the Alice in Wonderland and Wildthing Jungle party room murals. For the two weeks plus scale you are talking full rooms and full detailing that are more involved, like the Jungle Bedroom and the Pirate Cave Murals.


Booking
It's best to book a mural a little in advance to allow for the design process and preparation of the space. Contact me if you would like to chat about my availability.