I have always loved painting on walls! As a muralist, I have had the distinct privilege of getting paid to something I would have been punished for as a child. The best part of painting on walls – especially in public places – is the fascination spectators have with the process. Bystanders often find themselves mesmerized with as the design comes to life through each stage of the process.
Step by Step
I typically begin with a chalk drawing – a trick I learned many years ago. The white chalk wipes off easily with a damp cloth and allows me to make changes as I go along without concerning myself with ugly pencil lines that might show through the paint. I simply paint within the lines I have created and wipe away the chalk once the paint is dry. Sometimes the chalk outlines don’t provide enough information for others to fully understand the concept, but it gives me guidelines to work within and plenty of room for adaptation.
My next step is always to fill in some background color. This stage is usually not pretty and I can often tell that viewers are concerned with my progress. The colors can be dark and flat, but they provide a foundation and depth that will later cause the details to stand out in contrast. I have to continually remind myself how important this step is to the finished design using the confidence I have developed through many years of painting.
As I begin to add layers of color and detailed strokes on top of the background colors, the designs I have seen in my mind pop out off of the wall – and people are amazed! They will sometimes comment, “I thought you were done with that part – I had no idea it even needed that detail.” They love to walk away and come back to the new surprises that have developed.
Finally, once the paint has dried, I wipe away the remaining chalk that marked my initial sketch. Wiping with a fresh damp cloth several times is required, as the chalky residue resists the cleaning at first.
Watching with Joy
The process of painting a mural is fun to watch – oh that we could learn to see the process of our Maker’s design in us with just as much joy. As He develops me slowly, layer upon layer, I wish that I could look on with fascination instead of grumbling. From the faint sketch lines of my heart’s desire – to the hard work of building my background and foundation – to the skilled touch of meticulous detail work – and even to the cleaning and wiping away of unnecessary residue – it is all a part of His beautiful vision for a masterpiece. Me – a work of the Master!
Lord may I learn to appreciate your process in me.
Amen.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10