MAKING OF A Mural

Dick Hawes of Billerica, Massachusetts, traces his love of murals to his youth, when one of muralist Rufus Porter’s works was discovered in his hometown of Bedford, Massachusetts. Through the years, Dick, who has a background in engineering, taught himsel

1 STUDY UP. Research Early American murals, such as those by Rufus Porter. He recommends the book Folk Art Murals of the Rufus Porter School: New England Landscapes 1825-1845 by Linda Carter Lefko and Jane E. Radcliffe (2011: Schiffer Publishing, www.schifferbooks.com) because it not only includes hundreds of colorful images but also contains an informative how-to section.

2 SELECT A SIZE. Determine the room and placement of your mural and settle on a size, whether you wish to cover an entire wall or a smaller area. If it will be the centerpiece of the room, choose a prominent wall. Consider installing wainscoting on the lower wall to reduce your “canvas.” If you want to start with a smaller piece, create a folk-art painting to frame or a fireboard.

3 SETTLE ON SUBJECTS. Some murals consist simply of foliage and trees. Do you want to depict a body of water as well? Houses? People? Plot out your landscape on paper, or do a rough sketch on the wall in pencil.

4 CREATE STENCILS. Not all elements in early murals were painted freehand; so if you aren’t an expert artist, don’t despair. Use stencils to create key elements. Porter made brass stencils to create houses and ships in his murals. Though Dick sometimes purchases premade stencils online, he also makes his own from Mylar, using a craft knife, so he can ensure they are the proper scale for each project.

5 GATHER TOOLS. Collect a variety of tools and materials to create your mural. Dick uses latex wall paint for large areas and acrylic craft paint for details. When it comes to brushes, he selects a variety of shapes and sizes, including round and flat, as well as sea sponges (which he uses for foliage). He prefers inexpensive disposable brushes from the hardware store rather than pricier versions.

“Even if you are trying to make a house look old, you can still keep things fresh and new and interesting.” —Dick Hawes

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After experimenting with an antique rust paint color in the basement train room, the couple used it to highlight their family room’s fireplace and trim. A patterned blue sofa counters a red wingback amid other furnishings that feature the two hues. Cleverly designed panels in the fireplace surround hide the television from view, helping to preserve the room’s historic feel.