FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
At Mike Jenney Murals, we specialize in delivering custom artwork and expert
consulting that exceed expectations.
How long does painting a mural take?
This depends on several variables including size, subject, and whether I will be working on a lift or around other obstacles. 90% of my projects take less than two weeks to complete.
What kind of paint do you use?
For the base coat and larger areas of color I use Sherwinn Williams products or waterborne automotive paint. This also depends on the project at times. I also use low VOC non-toxic products. I have done many children’s rooms for example. Some of the reasons I love this paint:
- Extreme hide and coverage. It's a really thick paint and that helps bridge surface imperfections.
- Color Lock technology for exceptional color
- Superior fade resistance
- Lifetime Warranty
- Low-temperature application
- Excellent resistance to paint deterioration
- Resists cracking, peeling, blistering and dirt
- Mildew resistant
- Self-priming/ excellent adhesion
- Clear Coat
- UV Protected
- H2O Proof
- Abrasive Resistant
For the base coat and larger areas of color I use Sherwinn Williams products or waterborne automotive paint. This also depends on the project at times. I also use low VOC non-toxic products. I have done many children’s rooms for example. Some of the reasons I love this paint:
Extreme hide and coverage. It’s a really thick paint and that helps bridge surface imperfections.
Color Lock technology for exceptional color
Superior fade resistance
Lifetime Warranty
Low-temperature application
Excellent resistance to paint deterioration
Resists cracking, peeling, blistering and dirt
Mildew resistant
Self-priming/ excellent adhesion
Clear Coat
UV Protected
H2O Proof
Abrasive Resistant
How should the wall be prepared?
If the wall is in poor condition, I will fix the cracks, fill holes, and to apply a primer and base coat color. I will pick the color.
For new construction, a smooth finish, level 4 is ideal. A primer and base coat should be painted on the wall before the mural work begins.
If it is an existing wall and the wall is in good condition, no special preparation is required.
Here is an example of a before and after image of a close up area on the wall at Crouching Tiger restaurant in Redwood City.
My wall has a really rough texture. Will that affect the painting?
I can paint on a rough texture surface, but it does affect the artwork. In many situations the texture can enhance the artwork; a rough surface allows for interesting textures and layering. If the mural will be viewed up close, and has a high level of linear details (for example, trompe l’oeil style murals or photo realistic scenes), you might consider either re-plastering the wall or having the mural painted on panels.
Can you paint a mural on panels to be installed on location?
Yes. I can paint my murals on either canvas or panels. How the canvas or panels are attached depends on the intended longevity of the mural in the space, whether it is designed to be mobile or not. Panels can be ordered up to 5′ x 10′ in dimension; a large mural may require several pieces fitted together.
I am not sure what kind of artwork I need. Can you help me figure that out?
Yes. I usually begin by thinking about the space as a whole: the angle/s the wall will be seen from, who uses the space, and the “feeling” you want to bring to the space. The imagery we create, the use of color, dynamic form, and subject are designed to fit your specfic space and audience.
Can you tell me more about the "Design Phase" of your process?
It is an equally fundamental truism that people who hire me want to have a pretty good idea of what is going on that 50′ wall before I begin. There are real life hurdles like city approvals or buy-in from spouses that a cohesive design can help to navigate. I do the best I can with the secondary tools at my disposal to communicate with my clients what the artwork will look like. The short answer is that the design I create for each project varies depending on the project.
For example, for an underwater mural I don’t create a “mini mural” that describes where every fish and plant will go. We would curate a “species list” together of the plants and animals that will definitely appear in the mural. We will share images of other underwater art and past murals of mine to discuss the elements we want to include. I might create a pen and ink that blocks in where the “big stuff” like a dolphin or turtle might go. When I start painting, the design specs serve as a reference for me, a launch point. But once I begin working on the piece onsite, I am calibrating the artwork to the specific space.
This depends on several variables including size, subject, and whether I will be working on a lift or around other obstacles. 90% of my projects take less than two weeks to complete.
For the base coat and larger areas of color I use Sherwinn Williams products or waterborne automotive paint. This also depends on the project at times. I also use low VOC non-toxic products. I have done many children’s rooms for example. Some of the reasons I love this paint:
Extreme hide and coverage. It’s a really thick paint and that helps bridge surface imperfections.
Color Lock technology for exceptional color
Superior fade resistance
Lifetime Warranty
Low-temperature application
Excellent resistance to paint deterioration
Resists cracking, peeling, blistering and dirt
Mildew resistant
Self-priming/ excellent adhesion
Clear Coat
UV Protected
H2O Proof
Abrasive Resistant
If the wall is in poor condition, I will fix the cracks, fill holes, and to apply a primer and base coat color. I will pick the color.
For new construction, a smooth finish, level 4 is ideal. A primer and base coat should be painted on the wall before the mural work begins.
If it is an existing wall and the wall is in good condition, no special preparation is required.
Here is an example of a before and after image of a close up area on the wall at Crouching Tiger restaurant in Redwood City.
I can paint on a rough texture surface, but it does affect the artwork. In many situations the texture can enhance the artwork; a rough surface allows for interesting textures and layering. If the mural will be viewed up close, and has a high level of linear details (for example, trompe l’oeil style murals or photo realistic scenes), you might consider either re-plastering the wall or having the mural painted on panels.
Yes. I can paint my murals on either canvas or panels. How the canvas or panels are attached depends on the intended longevity of the mural in the space, whether it is designed to be mobile or not. Panels can be ordered up to 5′ x 10′ in dimension; a large mural may require several pieces fitted together.
Yes. I usually begin by thinking about the space as a whole: the angle/s the wall will be seen from, who uses the space, and the “feeling” you want to bring to the space. The imagery we create, the use of color, dynamic form, and subject are designed to fit your specfic space and audience.
It is an equally fundamental truism that people who hire me want to have a pretty good idea of what is going on that 50′ wall before I begin. There are real life hurdles like city approvals or buy-in from spouses that a cohesive design can help to navigate. I do the best I can with the secondary tools at my disposal to communicate with my clients what the artwork will look like. The short answer is that the design I create for each project varies depending on the project.
Yes. I usually begin by thinking about the space as a whole: the angle/s the wall will be seen from, who uses the space, and the “feeling” you want to bring to the space. The imagery we create, the use of color, dynamic form, and subject are designed to fit your specfic space and audience.
For example, for an underwater mural I don’t create a “mini mural” that describes where every fish and plant will go. We would curate a “species list” together of the plants and animals that will definitely appear in the mural. We will share images of other underwater art and past murals of mine to discuss the elements we want to include. I might create a pen and ink that blocks in where the “big stuff” like a dolphin or turtle might go. When I start painting, the design specs serve as a reference for me, a launch point. But once I begin working on the piece onsite, I am calibrating the artwork to the specific space.
It is an equally fundamental truism that people who hire me want to have a pretty good idea of what is going on that 50′ wall before I begin. There are real life hurdles like city approvals or buy-in from spouses that a cohesive design can help to navigate. I do the best I can with the secondary tools at my disposal to communicate with my clients what the artwork will look like. The short answer is that the design I create for each project varies depending on the project.
For example, for an underwater mural I don’t create a “mini mural” that describes where every fish and plant will go. We would curate a “species list” together of the plants and animals that will definitely appear in the mural. We will use a fan deck to pick out a lightest and darkest blues together. We will share images of other underwater art and past murals of mine to discuss the elements we want to include. I might create a pen and ink that blocks in where the “big stuff” like a shark or sea lion might go. When I start painting, the design specs serve as a reference for me, a launch point. But once I begin working on the piece onsite, I am calibrating the artwork to the specific space.
