Element 3 of 12

Tomato Cluster

Painter reference · H&D mural · Toms River back-counter wall

Reference Image

Size on the Wall

Width

14"

1.17 ft · 6.1% of wall

Height

14"

1.17 ft · 45.2% of wall

Spec	Value
Starts at (from left edge of wall)	49"
Ends at	63"
Center point (from left)	56.0"
Wall total width	231" (19' 3")
Wall total height	31" (2' 7")

Element position shown on the full wall (green block):

115.5"

231"

Colors Used

Tomato Red

#C8242C

SW: SW 6868 Real Red
BM: 2086-20 Watermelon Red

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: painterly illustration · Estimated time: 2 hrs · Paint: interior acrylic-latex (typography) + Liquitex BASICS artist acrylic (illustration)

Painting Instructions

Pencil 3–4 overlapping circles for the tomatoes, plus the vine stem and leaves.
Base each tomato in TOMATO RED (#C8242C), two coats. Leave a small dry highlight area on the upper-left of each.
Once dry, add a deeper red shadow on the lower-right of each tomato (mix tomato red with a tiny dot of black or olive sage).
Add the white-cream highlight on the upper-left of each — small dab with cream paint.
Paint the vine in OLIVE SAGE (#6E833A), stems and leaves. Tip leaves with a touch of FOREST GREEN for depth.
Add the small calyx star on top of each tomato in forest green.

★ Pro tip for this element

Tomato red is opaque but bright — DO two coats. One coat looks pink.

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