What goes into the making of a mural
I've spent some time with Edwin while he has worked on his last several murals, and through observation and questions, have come up with a basic model of what steps he takes when painting a mural.
The first thing he does is to sketch out the design in chalk. Once this is done, he "blocks" (or 3-D's) the different objects in the design. This is the time when he makes any small adjustments to the approved design in order to fit everything into the allotted space. This is a very visual part of the work and Edwin views the sketch from different angles and distances to ensure balance and fluidity of the picture.
Once the design is sketched out and adjustments made, the next step is to paint in the background around the objects. It is much easier to do this now rather than after painting in the main elements because you don't have to worry about getting over spray on them, so the picture is much cleaner.
At any time during this process, the client is subject to come to Edwin and request changes or additions/deletions, so his murals are always a work in progress; although I will say that the finished product pretty much always comes out exactly like his original hand drawn rendering submitted to the client, which, in this business is pretty uncommon from what I've come to understand!
The third step is outlining, or shading, around the objects to start to give them depth and substance, depending on their orientation. After this is done, he concentrates on the detail work until the mural s complete. Usually he takes a bunch of pictures at the end of each day from every different angle and distance possible so he can download them that night and blow up the detail in order to get the best possible view of the work and correct the work for anything that isn't up to the highest standard. Edwin is extremely particular about every shade, nuance and aspect of his work and always strives to provide his clients with the best work possible, and it's this attention to detail that I feel sets him apart and above other artist in this field.
And finally, when everything is complete to his satisfaction, a final meeting with the client to get their opinion and, if needed, a "punch list" of any changes or additions the client wants once they view the finished mural. In all instances that I've observed Edwin working, the clients are usually thrilled with his work, and it usually ends up being Edwin himself that makes any minor adjustments before finally deeming the work "done".
The first thing he does is to sketch out the design in chalk. Once this is done, he "blocks" (or 3-D's) the different objects in the design. This is the time when he makes any small adjustments to the approved design in order to fit everything into the allotted space. This is a very visual part of the work and Edwin views the sketch from different angles and distances to ensure balance and fluidity of the picture.
Once the design is sketched out and adjustments made, the next step is to paint in the background around the objects. It is much easier to do this now rather than after painting in the main elements because you don't have to worry about getting over spray on them, so the picture is much cleaner.
At any time during this process, the client is subject to come to Edwin and request changes or additions/deletions, so his murals are always a work in progress; although I will say that the finished product pretty much always comes out exactly like his original hand drawn rendering submitted to the client, which, in this business is pretty uncommon from what I've come to understand!
The third step is outlining, or shading, around the objects to start to give them depth and substance, depending on their orientation. After this is done, he concentrates on the detail work until the mural s complete. Usually he takes a bunch of pictures at the end of each day from every different angle and distance possible so he can download them that night and blow up the detail in order to get the best possible view of the work and correct the work for anything that isn't up to the highest standard. Edwin is extremely particular about every shade, nuance and aspect of his work and always strives to provide his clients with the best work possible, and it's this attention to detail that I feel sets him apart and above other artist in this field.
And finally, when everything is complete to his satisfaction, a final meeting with the client to get their opinion and, if needed, a "punch list" of any changes or additions the client wants once they view the finished mural. In all instances that I've observed Edwin working, the clients are usually thrilled with his work, and it usually ends up being Edwin himself that makes any minor adjustments before finally deeming the work "done".
By: Lisa Clifton
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