Why choose a hand-painted wall mural?

Times they are a changing! With technology racing ahead, it's now easier than ever to 'create art' with many companies offering printed paste-up murals - heck you can even do it yourself with AI at the touch of a button!

This is a challenge that, as an artist, I've faced many times over my career. In the 1970s, 80s and 90s I was sought after as a scenic artist in the movie industry in the UK. I painted backdrops for many films, TVs and commercials, including blockbusters 'Time Bandits' and 'Babe'. I was a staple at the iconic Pinewood Studios.

007 stage at Pinewood Studios circa. 1980

Then times began to change, CGI technology advances meant that computers could create many of these backdrops, which I had previously painstakingly painted by hand to add location to a scene. Fast forward 30+ years, and the industry is returning to its roots, with many production companies now preferring to bring in scenic artists once more to blend art and technology.

While I still accept scenic film commissions, much of my work now involves creating custom murals in homes and commercial spaces around the USA.

In recent months, I have been asked to quote on several projects in commercial and home spaces and found myself pitching against companies offering digitally printed past-up murals, of course, at a much lower price!

So why should you choose a custom hand-painted mural over one of these cheaper options?

custom hand-painted Wall Murals vs printed paste-up artwork

I have worked in restaurants, hotels, film, theatres, as well as residential houses all over the world. My murals are immersive. They have an energy to them and are environments you experience through personal interaction. You can see some examples below of this, which show the true scope I am capable of - from hyper-realistic trompe l’oeil-style murals, to softer impressionistic work.

Printed past-up murals may go up quickly, but they can be hard to remove without causing damage. While they can be bespoke in design and color, nothing can be as bespoke as a hand-painted mural painted directly on a wall.

When I paint a mural directly onto a wall on location, I can ensure that every color I choose reflects the feel and lighting of a room and make adjustments as I go where required. The brushstrokes add depth and texture that no printed mural can compare to. With a pre-prepared printed mural, you will never get this level of curation and attention to detail.

In some cases, I do offer paste-up murals, where I pre-prepare the mural in my studio and paste it up on location. This can be beneficial in busy locations, such as restaurants and bars - in these instances, I provide a huge amount of careful pre-prep, and the professional installation itself ensures that the pasted mural becomes part of the scene. The artwork is still hand-painted, meaning future touch-ups or even adjustments can still be made in situ to ensure it blends intrinsically with the space.

What are the benefits of a custom mural?

• Each of my murals are painted directly on walls on-site, they are instant and permanent - with no expensive wallpaper installer fees. 

• Unlike wall coverings, with my murals, there is never risk of future mold problems due to AC failure, and they can always be retouched if necessary. 

• Should a client wish to modify or alter the mural at any time, it’s always possible. 

• All colors are mixed to suit clients individual tastes and furnishings, to suit bespoke designs.

So if you are looking to add a bespoke touch with lasting impact to your room or space, get in touch today to find out how we can work together.