Element 1 of 12
MADE FROM SCRATCH
Painter reference · H&D mural · Toms River back-counter wall
Reference Image
Size on the Wall
Width
24"
2.00 ft · 10.4% of wall
Height
22"
1.83 ft · 71.0% of wall
| Spec | Value |
|---|
| Starts at (from left edge of wall) | 1.5" |
| Ends at | 25.5" |
| Center point (from left) | 13.5" |
| Wall total width | 231" (19' 3") |
| Wall total height | 31" (2' 7") |
Element position shown on the full wall (green block):
Colors Used
Cream / Off-White
#F0EAD2
SW: SW 7551 Greek Villa
BM: OC-119 White Dove
Forest Green
#2D6A4F
SW: SW 6193 Privilege Green
BM: HC-130 Cushing Green
Olive Sage
#6E833A
SW: SW 6184 Sap Green
BM: 2147-20 Bayberry
Technique: block letters · Estimated time: 2.5 hrs · Paint: interior acrylic-latex (typography) + Liquitex BASICS artist acrylic (illustration)
Painting Instructions
- Pencil the two-line block (MADE on top, FROM SCRATCH below) inside the chalk grid. Keep letter height at ~10" each line; leave ~1" between lines.
- Base coat each letter solid CREAM (#F0EAD2). Two thin coats, 20 min dry between. Don't worry about edges yet.
- Once cream is fully dry (1 hr), outline each letter on the lower-right side with a 0.4" FOREST GREEN shadow stroke — gives the vintage drop-shadow look.
- Sharpen letter edges with a small round brush + cream — tighten any wobble.
- Sketch the small chef's knife (covered on its own page) tucked under the lettering.
★ Pro tip for this element
If letters look off after pencil, take a phone photo and look at it across the room — wobbles jump out way more on screen than in person.
Common Acrylic Rules
| Rule | Detail |
|---|
| Surface prep | Lightly scuff with 220-grit, wipe clean, prime any bare spots with cream base if wood is too dark |
| Layers | TWO thin coats > one thick coat — every time |
| Dry time between coats | 15-20 min minimum (acrylic feels dry sooner but isn't) |
| Brush care | Rinse in water between colors, blot on rag. Never let paint dry in brush. |
| Mistakes | Wait 24 hrs, paint over with cream base, dry, redo |
| Final seal (whole mural, day 5) | Matte acrylic clear topcoat — protects from grease + cleaning |
