A love of creation is a beautiful thing. Through creativity, we find an outlet for our innermost thoughts and feelings. You only have to look to artists of the past to see how much creativity can help you communicate with the world. But, many of us fail to use our creativity to its full potential. If for example, you’re a talented painter, you might stick to the page without ever straying off of it.
While there’s nothing wrong with small and private creations, they may fail to satisfy you in a major way. If that’s the case, it’s time to think big for your next creative project. And, as your home is a literal manifestation of you, its walls make the perfect canvas for your next big idea.
Even creative individuals fall into predictable traps when it comes to home decoration. While you may create amazing masterpieces on the page, it's tempting to stick to traditional home decor options. But, what if it didn’t have to be that way? We’re going to look at how you can take your art off the page, and onto your walls!
USE WHAT YOU KNOW
Much of the reason art fails to translate from our pages is that we’re afraid a wall is too different a canvas. You may lack faith that what you know as an artist would translate well onto such a different background. In truth, though, your walls may not be as varied as you’re expecting. Once you’ve sanded and plastered, there’s no real difference between those walls and the paper you’re used to working on.
With that in mind, it’s important you use what you know when painting at home. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to learn a whole new skill set to get your art to work on a large scale. The basic knowledge your artistic pursuits have taught you are more than enough. The brushstrokes and techniques are the same. In fact, the only major differences are the size and scale you’ll be working with. And, getting to grips with those is easier than you’d think. If it helps, practice on larger pieces of paper. Increase the size gradually until you feel comfortable. That way, a wall won’t be such a great leap.
EXPERIMENT WITH EQUIPMENT
While the techniques are the same, the equipment might not be. There was a time when the paintbrushes and pencils you use now were unfamiliar to you as well. The more you use them, the more familiar it becomes. The same can be said for gear you'll use painting your walls. For the most part, the brushes won’t be that different. The only notable change is that they’re bigger. With a little time and practice, you should get used to that.
But, you may also want to experiment with how you apply paint. While paintbrushes will help perfect small details, they're not practical for large areas. You’d be better off using something like a handheld spray gun. This can seem daunting if you’ve never used it before, but there’s plenty of help to get you started. A lot of companies allow you to compare specs with other options to help you choose the right spray gun.
Make sure to check out comparisons like these to ensure you make the right decision. Then, experiment. Have fun with your new toy. Find out what effects you can create. It might even be worth watching some tutorials to give you ideas. Once you know the basic functions, you can add your own creative twists. To avoid stressing yourself out, don’t get started until you’re confident.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKES
Every artist knows that fear of the blank canvas. It’s so clean and unbroken, and you don’t want to be the one to spoil that. Many artists go for long periods without creating anything. But, much of the advice out there recommends discarding this fear of the blank page by creating something imperfect. A bad starting point is, after all, better than nothing.
The feeling of not wanting to destroy the space is even worse when you’re working on a larger scale. Your walls may be so large that you don’t know where to start. Worse, once you do start, you may fail to keep a clear idea of your intentions. Rather than looking at the project as a whole, it’ll be necessary to break it into small chunks.
You might find that things don’t come together right in your mind. Sadly, there’s no easy way around this problem. The best thing you can do is start. At the end of the day, a mistake isn’t going to ruin everything. You can always paint over it and start again! Working on a wall offers much more freedom than working on the page.
HAVE FUN
Most importantly, you should have fun. The moment you start seeing this project as stressful, you’ll lose the creative spark which is so important. These are your walls, and you’re painting them because you want to. You aren’t accountable to anyone but yourself. So, enjoy the process. Don’t be afraid to learn as you go. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. And, don’t let this get on top of you! The best thing about art is that it gives us something to reflect on. Any creative individual loves looking back at past projects and remembering the time they were created. When you look at that fabulous wall decor, you don’t want to think about sleepless nights, or an urgent need to get the thing done already.
The best thing about art is that it gives us something to reflect on. Any creative individual loves looking back at past projects and remembering the time they were created. When you look at that fabulous wall decor, you don’t want to think about sleepless nights, or an urgent need to get the thing done already.
To keep things lighthearted, stick on some music while you’re working. Have a drink if it helps you relax. Not too many; mind you still need to paint in a straight line! And, make sure not to put time constraints on yourself. You can’t rush a masterpiece!
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