Pricing,

Sketches, and Contact Information

Here you can see sketches compared to the finished mural.  The above sketches are on 18' by 24' paper.  They are not the first set of sketches done for this room; I first worked out the composition in pencil.  Then, did a set in color.  The first color sketches had a bridge and figure in the composition. The client decided to remove them and for the color to be adjusted.  These are the final sketches.  As you can see, perspective, scale, and color are very accurate.  The mural with 10' high walls was completed within 2 weeks.

These sketches had to be approved before they became 8' by 20' backdrops.  Each took four or five days to paint.

This mural took 6 days to paint. It is 8' by 24'.

Here you can see two slightly different ideas worked out on paper.  I drew out several ideas for this mural, but these are the two that I did in color.  

Notice how I account for furniture and objects pertaining to the space and all measurements with my sketches.

The first step in the creation of a mural begins with me meeting the client.  I like to see the space to be painted and discuss ideas.  Sometimes a client knows exactly what he or she wants and sometimes the client has little or no idea of what he or she would like.  Either way, I try to get as much information from the client as possible, and then, depending on the space and the ideas of the client, I give a verbal quote.  I base my estimate on the amount of time and supplies it would take for  me to complete the job.  

If the verbal quote is agreed upon, I then determine if preliminary sketches need to be done.  If so, I take a nonrefundable sketch fee of $100 as a deposit, which goes toward the total cost of the mural.  I then proceed by doing sketches.   (Sometimes I sketch out 2 or 3 different ideas if needed.)   The sketches are drawn out in full perspective either in black and white or in full color, so the client can see exactly how the mural will lay out in the desired space.  It usually takes a week or two to get the first set of sketches done. Upon completion, I show the client the sketches and give a written estimate with the sketches.  

Having the sketches and the written estimate allows the client and I to be on the same page and eliminates any surprises.  With the written estimate, I do not exceed the written amount, unless the client decides he or she wants changes with the mural.  If the client is satisfied with this first set of sketches and the written estimate, then I proceed by painting the mural exactly as it appears in the sketches.   If not, then more sketches may be done as needed.  

I calculate the time I spend on the sketches into the written estimates, so with each set of sketches there will be a new written estimate voiding the previous estimate.  My written estimates are based on the total amount of time, including the time it takes to complete the sketches, and supplies needed to paint the mural.  Once I have the completed sketches, I can calculate almost exactly the amount of time it will take me to paint the mural.  I use that time to calculate the final cost, and I stick with that price.

I find that some people are nervous about commissioning a mural--afraid that they may not like the finished product or it will be to expensive, so I try to make it as painless as possible.  Everything is worked out on paper before painting begins.  With sketches, nothing is set in stone; changes can be easily made.  The client can see exactly what he or she is getting at what price before painting begins, and other than the deposit, the client pays only when he or she is completely satisfied with the finished mural.  I will work with you until you are 100% happy.  I feel confident saying this because, of the more than 50 murals I have completed, I have never had a customer that was less than thrilled with their finished mural.  

Often, I spend as much time on the sketches as I do painting the mural.  Sketches are not always necessary, but I find that with complicated murals they can save time because I usually work out all the kinks beforehand, avoiding obstacles down the road.  With good sketches and references, I can usually breeze right through the painting process.  Clients are usually surprised at how little time it takes for me to paint the mural.

I usually paint my murals with acrylic and latex paint, yet sometimes I work with oils.  Over the years, I have gotten good enough with water base paints and the quality of latex and acrylic paints have improved enough that most people can't tell a difference between my murals in oils and my murals in latex.  I  prefer water based paints simply because they are less messy and dry more quickly, allowing me to be more efficient.