Pintura em Mural - Safári do Gael • Francy Atelier

For those who don't know, besides the Watercolours, I also work with wall murals that seek to achieve the same watery technique as paper.

I recently worked on an amazing project for the photographer Liziane Fuchs, who is expecting her first baby, Gael. The chosen theme was safari – a hot topic in the children's universe -, but mom wanted a unique boho touch, just like her style.

In today's post I'll tell you more about before painting, the inspirations and the process to achieve the desired result. Come with me!

Mural Wall Technique

First of all, I would like to talk a little more about the technique I use on walls, which is very special.

Currently, Wall Mural has gained a great deal of space on social media, with several emerging artists and companies creating permanent and colourful spaces to attract the public. Even so, the most used technique has been the organic one, made with wall paints, permanent pens and lettering. Jhenny Keller and Nina Cohen are two amazing artists who have mastered the technique.

Even though I think this style is beautiful, the wall mural that always stirred my heart was in the style of Tanya Bonya. The Russian woman makes spectacular murals that translate well her watercolour out of paper and that's exactly what I wanted.

In this way, I started to study the possibilities of paints and techniques to take my watercolour from paper to the wall, and eventually I achieved the technique I use today.

The wall muralI that I practice has no big secret: instead of watercolour paint, I I use acrylic paints, as it does not come out after drying. With water – the same base as watercolour – I can create a translucent texture on the wall and have results very similar as in paper.

Despite being a more economical technique than lettering, it certainly requires more time to master, since water is quite volatile. Do you want to know a little more? So come on, I'll tell you more about Gael's safari.

Wall Mural- Gael's Safari

Now that you know more about the technique, it's time for me to present the project created to bring Gael's Safari to life.

First, I invite you to know the work of Lizi, para entender melhor o estilo de fotografia dela e a paleta de cores que ela carrega do trabalho para a vida. Quando começamos a conversar, a falar sobre temas, eu sabia que independente da escolha, o estilo seria o boho and warm and earthy palette how she likes it.

Now that you're up to dated on Mom's style, let's understand the entire process of creating this amazing mural.

1. Before painting - briefing and references

Before starting any project, I do a briefing and ask for references for clients to understand their dream. Despite knowing Lizi well, it was no different with her.

Some of the references she had were children's rooms in a very Australian style: boho, light and full of rustic elements. Right in that good vibes style of living.

From this moodboard, we started to analyze the space and understand what we had to work with.

It is noteworthy that unlike many first-time moms, Lizi did not hire an architect to set up the project. It was the two of us who talked about all the possibilities before defining where and how the mural would be.

This whole pre-definition process went very smoothly, but before putting the project together on paper, we analyzed how to bring this more marked aesthetic of wall mural, without weighing up the small space of the room.

2. The safari idea – paper project

Right after we talked about Mom's desire for space, I worked on the paper project proposal.

I usually scale the drawing so that the client can understand the proportions and begin to visualize the idea. However, I try to make it clear that the artwork will undergo minor changes, as all the work is 100% handcrafted: I don't use a projector or stensil; it's all handmade.

The nice thing about working with other artists is that they look for that organic level in the result. Right here, Mom asked me not to even paint on paper, because she wanted me to have the freedom to create outside of there.

Still, the project was made for her to understand the proportions and analyze whether she wanted to add or take something away.

With the art approved, we agreed on the day of execution and set off to create!

3. The execution - Wall Mural

Contrary to what many people think, the process on the wall is not that different from paper. Here we also start with the scratching (which I do with chalk so as not to smudge and to be able to erase), I make a little stained background and then start painting the details.

There is not much to talk about the painting itself, as it involves a lot of feeling of the moment, the project, the client. When mom actively participates, we feel what she feels and the painting becomes even more fluid and more delicious.

Likewise, I feel the wall speaks throughout the production. There are places that are easier to apply, places that are more difficult to deal with… Anyway, much of the result comes from a brand new wall and a project made with the heart.

Check out some photos below and follow the process: