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How to Paint Sand Murals

A sand mural is a type of sand painting completed on a wall, ceiling or floor. Sand paintings have been used by the Navajo Indians, Australian aborigines and other cultures, often as part of religious rituals. Some of these sand paintings are temporary and are swept away. You can create one that lasts longer by adding varnish, which will hold the sand in place so you can enjoy the sand painting for many years.

Things You'll Need

  • Degreasing cleanser
  • Rubber gloves
  • Eye protection
  • Work rags
  • Pencil
  • Tarp
  • Colored sand
  • White glue
  • Paintbrushes in various sizes
  • Spray adhesive
  • Low powered vacuum
  • Clear varnish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare the area you will make the mural on by cleaning it with a degreasing cleanser and work rags. Allow the surface to dry completely before starting the mural. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection while you work to prevent glue from sticking to your fingers and sand from falling in your eyes.

    • 2

      Outline the design lightly with pencil. Simple designs work best for sand murals. A mural can be geometric patterns, a detailed picture of a certain event or any other picture that you want as long as it is painted onto a wall, floor or ceiling.

    • 3

      Spread a tarp over the floor where you will work, unless you are creating the mural on the floor.

    • 4

      Paint the wall with a paint brush dipped in glue. Only paint objects that will be the same color at one time. This prevent color bleeding.

    • 5

      Spread the colored sand over the painted areas. Allow the glue to dry. Continue to paint on glue and add colors until the mural is complete.

    • 6

      Tap the wall or ceiling gently to loosen any grains of sand that did not glue properly. For a floor mural, use a low powered vacuum to suck up the loose grains of sand.

    • 7

      Touch up any area of the mural that needs more sand. Allow the glue to dry.

    • 8

      Spray a spray adhesive all over the surface of the mural. This will help prevent any loose sand grains from escaping from the mural. Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours.

    • 9

      Paint the entire mural with a clear varnish. This not only adds further protection to the mural, but it also helps the mural to appear as a cohesive whole. It will also cause the surface of the mural to become smooth to the touch, which will also prevent future damages to the mural.

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