Church mural update

Well, there has been some progress on the mural project, though I haven't gotten yet to the point of actually painting yet. Surprise surprise, there are nearly countless things to figure out before the work itself begins.

I've been working on an oil study for the last couple months. However, due to how long that was taking, and the fact that the proportions were incorrect, that one is shelved, unfinished. It was very useful as a study though. My recent trip to Washington State definately allowed me to get a first-hand look at atmospheric perspective. Everything is blue, blue, blue. I used too much yellow in my study, and I don't have enough paint, or time, to fix it at the moment.












What I have posted below is a picture of the final design, which I'll be projecting on the panels. Oh yeah, the mural is not going to be painted directly on the wall, because that is going to be torn down in the forseeable future (5-10 years in fact, is the renovation schedule) and I suggested we use panels that can be removable, so the mural can be re-installed whenever the rennovations are completed. So a major portion of the delay has been trying to figure out exactly how big to make these panels (17.5 x 12 feet is the total dimention of the mural), how many panels to use, what materials, how to hang them, etc. I'm working with an engineer/carpenter/rocket scientist from the parish to figure all this out, and he's been invaluable. We are so close to a solution, I can taste it.


We've settled on a 6 panel model, with the bottom 4 being 6x6' square, and the top two make up the difference, and have to be invented. The hypotinuse section is going to be tricky, but that's where our engineer comes in. :) The panels will be canvas streched over wood frames. Primed, and painted in oils. I considered acrylics (for the cost savings) but I have only used acrylics a few times, and I know oils best. Heat and humidity (staples of Florida weather) are a problem, because the church is apparently not air conditioned all the time, so I've got to minimize mildew threat, however that is possible. I've got all my budgets (paints, canvas, strechers, staples, gesso, etc) almost worked out. Only the miscelanious remains.

What else...Well I'll let you know the next time I have a few minutes. :)