This Months Article & Free Tip
"Fast Track Methods of Creating Detailed Floors or Wall Murals"
One of the fastest methods for creating details in your work as though you are a top notch artist is by using templates. In the past the best techniques that I have used for creating templates has been through the use of an over head projector. My favorite template consist of four 4 foot wide by 5 foot tall = inch plywood sections. I attached all sections onto a wall and used screws on the corners of each section. Once all sections were attached, the total size was 8 feet wide by 10 feet tall. I then painted all panels bright white house paint. I had a picture of a beautiful White Tiger laying in four foot grass and copied it using a zerox machine and some clear over head projector film. I set my overhead projector up, centered the picture and maximized it to fill up the plywood sections attached to the wall. Simply take your time and trace all the major details of the picture using a pencil. Grass and small details can be improvised by simply free handing them in after your template is used. After all tracing was completed I removed the panels from the wall and placed them onto a work table for the purpose of using a wood working router to cut out trace lines. Prior to using the router inspect your sections and make pencil notes or marks in to show which areas must not be routered out in order to keep the template as one piece instead of moveable sections. Once you remove your template after the coloration phase blank spots or eye sores will be obvious and easily touched up by hand.
Use of the Template for Coloration
The template can be used over a Venetian Plastered smooth coat on walls or any flooring. On walls I use screws to attach the sections then touch up the holes after coloration and template is removed. For flooring simply lay the template down and center it. Once you are happy with your layout, go through and use masking tape to cover all seem lines so that color does not bleed through. Use a razor to reopen any parts of the template that may have been routered out. For the White Tiger I use Black rattle can spray paint and stay far enough back as not to get runs or drips that work it's way under the template cut outs. Think of multiple coats of over spray when applying your colors. Remove your template and continue with details. An even neater affect is to take the time to turn your pattern into the appearance of two foot by two foot Tiles on a diamond pattern. For this method I simply measure say the same measurement two directions from a corner and make a small pencil mark. Lay a long length or have multiple lengths of =" thick x 2" wide flat strap metal for the purpose of a guide to use a grinder with a 1/8" diamond blade. Once your flat strap is lined up on the marks perfectly, grind along the flat strap then measure out another two feet from the grout line on both farthest points and continue grinding process. After the entire grinding out is complete, blow area off and seal. Once sealed use real grout, sponge off very clean and reseal. Taa... Daa! You now will have a very sharp Mural with the bonus of looking like expensive Tile.
P.S. Tip: When grinding out grout lines, be sure to grind down deep enough because if you don't you will find yourself wiping out the grout entirely wherever it's to shallow.
Hi Friends, 
