Cloud Painting

I had this problem but I simply had my fan going, window opened, and did small sections at a time. Unfortunately, for me, there was no way around it.

Dave

Thank you for your input and we have done those things. However, it has an impact on my wife; which doesn’t make for a pleasant experience. That’s why I’m inquiring about using ceiling paint.

When you say ceiling paint are you meaning a latex paint which is used for most interior painting? Are you trying to reduce the smell and volatile organic compounds? I would think latex would have a lot less VOC's so that would help if your wife is bothered by the smell or the chemicals being released by the paint. Some people are bothered quite a bit by that. There are low or no VOC paints on the market. Google low or no VOC paints and you'll see some opinions and products. Manufacturers have reduced the amount of VOC a lot in the last few years. I remember when there was a "bake out" procedure to be used on entire buildings to reduce the VBOC levels before you could occupy a new space. I don't see that talked about much so perhaps the lower levels in the products are working.

Jim K

I used latex house paint with sponges and brushes to avoid the spray paints. They turned out well to the eye. This picture is looking straight up the wall so the clouds are a little distorted, but still not too bad.

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

My Art Director, my eldest granddaughter, has begun the process of adding clouds to the backdrop wall. She has been using spray paint, different shades, and we like the result. However, despite ventilation and N-5 masks, the fumes are intense. I was contemplating using ceiling paint as the basic and then she can contrast colors from her palette. Will this work? I’m open to any insights.

Thank you

I did spray paint also and used paper templates with fun craft scissor that created anything but a straight line.

Sounds like your Granddaughter might have some skills.  Maybe you should think about investing in a starter airbrush to do this job and more.  A mask should still be worn, but the fumes will be reduced.

Ron

Ron, Jim, and Ron, thank you very much gentlemen. It is lower VOC that I need so I’m going to try white latex. My granddaughter does have a natural talent so she has been shading and feathering the paint.

Looks great !

Wall paper, left.  "Bob Ross" clouds right.    Cloud wall paper, via Sherwin Williams.

Mike CT, that’s the nicest wallpaper I’ve seen. Is the Bob Ross wall painted or paper?

Mike CT's wallpaper and Bob Ross clouds look spectacular.  That wall paper or cloud craft paper available at Michael's and Hobby Lobby would eliminate paint odor but I'm not sure if you want to eliminate or limit your granddaughter's involvement.

These are available through Walthers (currently in stock)...

Clouds Templates

...and work quite well...I'm told.

Years ago I saw a tutorial video on their use.  Can't find it now. 

Spray painting still presents a ventilation problem in an otherwise closed room.  Although not as convenient as a rattle-can, using an airbrush with acrylic paint (water-based) would be my choice. 

Just another alternative to consider...FWIW.

Coach Joe, you are correct, I want to continue to provide the opportunity for her creativity to evolve.

Dkdkrd, thank you, I think I will need to consider the air brush. It can have further use as my empire expands.

Jay,

I use  basic acrylic latex paint for base and artist acrylics for the detail . i like to dabble and have fun without the over spray and odors. Used to paint with airbrush but again not interested in masks and spray booths. Turn your daughters talents  with painting "loose" and you both will enjoy the results.

Thank you Steve and your backdrop is something to emulate. As you suggested, that is how my granddaughter will continue. Maybe she’ll let me dabble.

Steve,

More photos of your layout please.

Dave

Here is the thunder cloud at the end of the layout. I'll add sound effect and lightening to it someday.

Hey there Jay Francis, your artist there is naturally talented, like Ron said - See if she can use a Starter Airbrush kit (probably Paasche) and tell her to use Airbrush Acrylic paint.  She can add that onto the background she has already painted and with a little trial and error, some youtube she could put you out some outstanding results.  She can also spray into some cloud stencils, for additional effects, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT, HAVE FUN !!!

Here's a video that Digital Subscribers can watch any time, along with dozens of other videos like this.

I posted this here so you can see what you are missing by not being an OGR Digital Subscriber.

Thanks, Rich! 

You're a good salesman!...just became a Digital Subscriber.

And that's the video I was looking for!

I'll second the Bill Bramblage technique! It works very well!

Chris

LVHR

...or, find a nice public domain panoramic image on Wikimedia, get it printed on a large-format printer, and hang it like a curtain:

Last Fall the colors in my area of Pennsylvania were explosively vibrant. I took a lot of late afternoon shots of mountain sides with contrasting colors from the farms,etc. in the foreground. The plan was to have them printed in sheets to install on the walls. Since the skies would vary I was going to cut out the sky. For consistency my walls are Sherwin-Williams “cloudless “, and then stencil clouds. Now, however, since my granddaughter has gained the confidence of her natural abilities she can paint the mountains. We can also use flats for depth perception. As I mentioned to her; if there is something you don’t like we get out the “delete “ paint brush, paint it blue and try it again.