Element 6 of 12
EAT LIKE YOU MEAN IT
Painter reference · H&D mural · Toms River back-counter wall
Reference Image
Size on the Wall
Width
26"
2.17 ft · 11.3% of wall
Height
22"
1.83 ft · 71.0% of wall
| Spec | Value |
|---|
| Starts at (from left edge of wall) | 147" |
| Ends at | 173" |
| Center point (from left) | 160.0" |
| Wall total width | 231" (19' 3") |
| Wall total height | 31" (2' 7") |
Element position shown on the full wall (green block):
Colors Used
Terracotta Rust
#C04920
SW: SW 6328 Fireweed
BM: 2173-10 Raspberry Truffle
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
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: "EAT LIKE" on top, "YOU MEAN IT" below. Letter height ~10" each line. Same vertical span as the MADE FROM SCRATCH block on the other side — it's the visual bookend.
- Base coat each letter in TERRACOTTA RUST (#C04920). Two coats.
- Add cream highlights on the upper-left of each letter (a thin strip ~10% of the letter width) — gives it a 3D vintage look.
- Add a thin forest-green shadow on the lower-right of each letter, matching the depth of MADE FROM SCRATCH on the other end.
- Sharpen edges with a small round brush.
★ Pro tip for this element
Rust paint can lean orange in some lights — if it looks too orange when dry, glaze a thin wash of forest green diluted with water (1:5) over it to deepen.
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 |
