How to hand paint a white muslin?

[gnnbtrn]

I would like to add some backgrounds to have more variety.
I'm thinking about something like this:

http://www.amvona.com/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=3548

Can I paint it myself, and how?

Thanks!

[opus13]

of course you can. it isn't absolutely required to work in a 3rd world sweatshop in order to produce backdrops.

1. grab a cheap bed sheet to practice on.

2. cover with a base coat of color (some like to paint lighter colors on dark surfaces, some prefer the other way)

3. use a standard dish sponge or look at your local hardware store for a faux-finishing sponge. they are really, really cheap.

4. plan on at least 3 gradations of paint for variety. (darkest >med >light med> lightest) and pick a pleasing color spread (i like the tonal range you linked to)

5. dab away with the sponge.


be prepared to really mess up the first 3 you do. after that you should have a pretty good idea of how to slowly blend the darkest to the lightest in a way you like.

[gnnbtrn]

Thanks!
It really does not look very complicated as explained.
But what kind of pain color do I use?

[opus13]

whatever you like really.

i try to keep backdrops on the same tonal scale (yellow-> brown) and the like. going from red-> green isn't going to be too pretty O_o

[gnnbtrn]

But what kind of paint to use? like regular latex from Home Depot?

OFF TOP: I loved your Flickr pictures very much.

[S-S]

i guess thats a valid question because you wouldnt want to go to hours of trouble and then have the paint crack off it in the creases...

[SlowBlink]

Textile paint from an art store is the best but can be expensive. Liquitex is a good brand.

[gnnbtrn]

Finally I have used sprayer and fabric dye to paint my first background.
It did not get right, I may need to spray more spots on it.
What do you think about the background color?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/3003702435_932c7db5d2.jpg