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Easy Way to Paint Clouds
Learning how to paint clouds is a fun activity for the entire family. It is inexpensive, easy to accomplish, and will add style and a sense of wonder to any room. Clouds are in almost every mural. They work great as part of a theme such a beach scene or simply by themselves. Clouds inspire children and adults alike to use their imaginations. At first, they appear to be big white fluffy balls of air, but if you look closely, they seem to take on the shapes of animals, states, shapes, faces, and famous landmarks. By painting clouds in your home, you will always be able to stare at nature's wonders no matter what the weather is like outside.
To begin, do some research by collecting pictures of clouds you would like to paint. It is also wise to have a clear idea of what you want the finished product to look like before you start painting. After you have a clear idea of what you want, it is time to gather some necessary materials.
Materials
All you need to paint clouds in your home is a few simple materials and supplies. It is best to have the following items on hand:
- Paint/Glaze: You will need at least two paint colors for this activity: blue and white. You will need enough blue to cover the background, and a smaller amount of white paint for the clouds. It is best to avoid flat paint for this activity. Instead, use either satin or semi-gloss. You will need around a gallon of glaze for this activity to cover one wall sufficiently.
- Brushes: You will need a traditional paintbrush or roller to paint the blue background and either a sturdy sea sponge or piece of cheesecloth to paint the clouds. If you can not find either the sponge or cheesecloth, using a rolled up rag works as well.
- Additional materials: You will also need a bucket or tray to mix the gloss and white paint, and a paint stick to stir the mixture. It is also wise to have a pair of gloves, goggles especially if you paint the ceiling, and a quality drop cloth to prevent messes.
Instructions
Step 1: Decide where you want the clouds to go and paint the entire background blue. If you paint on the ceiling consider dropping the blue down a foot or so on the side walls to add a three dimensional appearance. Allow ample time for the paint to dry.
Step 2: While the paint dries, take some time to practice your cloud painting skills. Mix three parts glaze to one part white paint and stir thoroughly. It is important to note that these two mixtures will want to separate and that you should consistently stir them throughout this project.
Step 3: After you spend a little while practicing, it is time to move on to the clouds. Remember clouds are heavy in the center and lighter around the edges. In addition, most clouds have a flat bottom, but everything is of course up to you and your imagination. Simply dab your choice of applicator (sponge, balled up cheesecloth, rolled up rag, etc.) in the white glaze mixture and start gently dabbing on the wall to form a cloud. Try to allow ample space between the clouds as well as to paint different size clouds.
Step 4: Allow enough time for the clouds to dry completely. While you may be satisfied with the final product, many people choose to add extra touches to their mural. For example, adding small touches of color such as yellow, pink, or purple to areas around the clouds gives them both depth and perspective. It may also interest you to add cloud shapes by using a stencil and the left over white glaze mixture. It is important to note that you should keep a little extra blue paint in case you go a little overboard with some of the clouds.
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