Painting Words on Walls

How to Paint Words on Walls

1. 1 Measure Available Space + Evaluate Quotation

   

   Measure the available space and evaluate the quotations you’re considering. Imagine where you would break the lines and how you want the words stacked or displayed.

2. 2 Fill Holes/Dents in Wall + Repair Cracks Optional

   

   Prime and paint the wall with two coats of eggshell or flat latex paint.

3. 3 Select Font + Size

   

   On a computer, select a font and size, and create a design for the words. Refer to the wall measurements taken in Step 1, and arrange the words of the quotation to fit.

4. 4 Print Out Quotation + Trim Edges of Paper

   

   Tape the printouts on the wall and evaluate the size and placement of the words. Keep trying sizes and arrangements until you’re satisfied.

5. 5 Use Laser Level to Shoot Baseline

   

   Set up a laser level to shoot a baseline for the words onto the wall. If you don’t have a laser level, use a carpenter’s level or a bubblestick and a pencil to create a faint line.

6. 6 Tape Printout Over Graphite Paper

   

   Hold a piece of graphite paper against the wall, and tape the printout over it. (Be sure you’re using graphite paper, not carbon paper. It doesn’t smudge.) Line up the base of the letters with the laser line or pencil guideline.

7. 7 Trace Words Using Stylus or Blunt Tool

   

   Using a stylus or other blunt tool with a blunt end, trace the words. The goal is to create a pattern line without tearing the printout or the graphite paper. Remove the printouts and graphite paper and check the pattern lines. Fill out any faint lines or skipped areas with a pencil.

8. 8 Pour Lighter Paint Color onto Palette

   

   Pour a small puddle of the lighter paint color onto a plastic palette. Dampen an angled paintbrush with water and pat it on a clean paper towel. Dip the corner of the long side of the brush into the craft paint and draw it across the palette to get the paint flowing smoothly.

9. 9 Paint Open Areas of Letters

   

   Paint the large, straight, open areas of the letters. Wash out the brush in plain water about every other time you load it, and continue to load only the long side of the brush with paint. If you have to stop in the middle of the project, wash out the brush with soap and water and reshape it before it dries.

10. 10 Paint Curved Portions of Letters with Round-Tip Brush

    

    Use a round-tip brush to paint the curved portions of the letters. Dampen the brush and load only one side with paint. Pull the brush across the palette to distribute the paint evenly, as you did with the angled brush. Draw the brush along the pencil lines, pushing down slightly more as you sweep around curves. The brush should flow along the curves and leave graceful, accurate lines.

11. 11 Create a Slight Shadow Optional

    

    VARIATION: Wash the palette and the angled brush. Pour a small puddle of the darker paint onto the palette and load one side of the damp brush with it. Stroke the brush across the palette until the paint blends with the water on the brush and runs from dark on the long side of the brush to light on the other side. Lightly sweep the brush around the inside edges and curves of the letters, creating a slight shadow.