What is a Mural
A mural is any work of art painted or applied directly to a wall, ceiling, or other permanent surface. A distinctive feature of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the image.
Some wall paintings are painted on large canvases, which are then attached to the wall (for example, with marouflage), but the technique has been in common use since the late 19th century.
Material
In Greco-Roman times, encaustic colors applied mainly in the cold state were used.
Tempera painting is one of the oldest known methods in wall painting. In quenching, the pigments bind together in an albuminous medium such as egg yolk or egg white diluted in water.
In 16th century Europe, oil painting on canvas emerged as an easier method for wall painting. The advantage was that the artwork could be completed in the artist’s studio and then transported to its destination and attached to the wall or ceiling. Oil painting may be a less satisfactory medium for murals due to its lack of color brilliance. Furthermore, the pigments are yellowish due to the binder or are more easily affected by atmospheric conditions.
Different muralists tend to become experts in their preferred medium and application, be they oil paints, emulsions, or acrylic paints applied by brush, roller, or airbrush / spray. Clients will often ask for a particular style and the artist can adjust to the appropriate technique.
A consultation generally leads to a detailed design and layout of the proposed mural with a quote that the client approves before the muralist begins work. The area to be painted can be gridded to match the design, allowing the image to be accurately scaled step by step. In some cases, the design is projected directly onto the wall and traced with a pencil before painting begins. Some muralists will paint directly without any previous sketch, preferring the spontaneous technique.
Once completed, the mural can receive layers of protective acrylic varnish or enamel to protect the work from UV rays and surface damage.
In the modern and fast way of muralling, young enthusiasts also use POP clay mixed with glue or adhesive to give the desired patterns on the canvas. The canvas is set aside later to allow the clay to dry. Once dry, the canvas and shape can be painted in the colors of your choice and then varnished.
Frescograph designed by CAM of Rainer Maria Latzke, digitally printed on canvas
As an alternative to a hand-painted or airbrushed mural, digitally printed murals can also be applied to surfaces. Existing murals can be photographed and then reproduced in near-original quality.
The downsides to pre-made murals and decals are that they are often mass produced and lack the appeal and exclusivity of original artwork. They often don’t fit the customer’s individual wall sizes, and their personal ideas or wishes can’t be added to the mural as you go along. The Frescography technique, a digital fabrication method (CAM) invented by Rainer Maria Latzke addresses some of the customization and size restrictions.
Digital techniques are commonly used in advertisements. A “wall landscape” is a large advertisement on or attached to the exterior wall of a building. Wall landscapes can be painted directly on the wall as a mural, or printed on vinyl and securely attached to the wall as a billboard. Although not strictly classified as murals, large-scale print media is often referred to as such. Advertising murals were traditionally painted in buildings and stores by poster writers, later as large-scale advertising posters.
Source: Wikipedia