Preliminaries:
1. Upon receiving a call or an e-mail regarding your interest in a Mural, client will have a conversation about the measurements, desired image, the intensity of detail and discuss the 2 options (on-site or off-site) with the artist.
2. The client gives accurate measurements of the wall to be painted and the surrounding areas, along with some digital examples (or scanned photos) of the kind of images the client would like on the wall so I know the level of realism, or detail that is desired. Size & Detail Category Chart is presented to the client. The chart is explained to the client along with the estimate of where the desired design may fall in the detail category.
3. I draft a rough estimate along with a written proposal describing in as much detail, along with the projected timing, and image considerations. This quote will include a colored draft of the prospective mural as a brief indication of what is possible.
* Important Note: I do not charge for design hours unlike most other muralists, (having confidence given my history with former clients) as in most cases my initial submission is accepted by the client.
4. This is submitted for review and approval.
5. Responses to the submission and the possibilities are discussed between me and client. Client lets me know if she/he wants anything different.
6. I submit new clarified quote to client, including projected work schedule, timing, and payment terms. I finalize the design and create the necessary mock up images in paint or collage of photos; which get submitted for approval.
7. I rework the quote to include any changes, or to fit needs. I calculate a definitive cost by multiplying square footage times category detail as shown in the size & detail category chart. Works under 15 SQ/Ft are subject to different criteria for calculating cost.
* For on-site projects: The cost estimate is generally more accurate after seeing the location and taking into consideration all factors including convenience of location and the commute if it is an on-site project.
8. I submit a contract including the finalized design that gets signed and dated by me and the client.
9. The client submits a % 30 retainer’s fee.
10. Once a payment for the deposit is received by me, I order needed supplies for primer, varnish, paint, brushes, rollers, tape, tarps or brown masking paper - if needed.
* If there are any issues or concerns that would constitute a significant change: something being repainted to accommodate the client’s new wishes (different than what was agreed or after a design and mock up was completed and signed off), then work done to accommodate changes will be billed as an additional charge @ $70/hour. This new work and additional fees will be presented and signed off by client for go ahead.
The Mural Process:
On-site projects:
1. Supplies are brought and safe storage for supplies is located.
2. Non painted areas near the Mural walls are taped and masked off. Floors are either tarped where I am working or thick brown paper is taped to the floor with blue tape.
3. Walls are thoroughly washed, scrubbed and rinsed.
4. Walls are patched and blemishes are repaired and prepared for paint.
5. Walls are primed with 2-3 coats of water based primer.
6. Layout is drawn to the wall in chalk. Outlines are painted in if there is risk the images would get rubbed off before painted.
7. Images painted on the wall; background, mid-ground, foreground.
Off-site projects:
1. The client need not worry about any disturbance in the site. All work will be done at the artist’s own studio space.
2. Artist then arrives on site. Walls are thoroughly washed, scrubbed and rinsed. Walls are patched and blemishes are repaired and prepared for the installation.
3. Once finished the material will be installed on the wall using clay paste just like wall paper.
Finishing up:
1. When painting is complete, painted images are approved by client or spokesperson.
2. Then the images gets 2-4 coats of acrylic varnish applied to the finished work. 4 coats if glossy finish is preferred; 2 more if a satin (less shiny) finish is desired.
3. It takes about a day per large wall to take care of any touch up and to remove the tape and tarps and clean up.
*These prices listed above are avarages and are due to change depending on the detail category the design entails. Upon consultation, together with the client we determine the design category under which the particular design falls and these avarages can either go up or down and consequently a design that falls under the “Realistic High Detail” category will cost slightly more. The main 4 cateogories below are listed from simplistic to more complex in detail orientation:
1. Cartoonish Juvenile
2. Stylized Graphic Decor
3. Realistic Low Detail
4. Realistic High Detail
