Storm Pirate Ship Mural by Mural Artist Nicole McClain

A red sky is sailor's sky, right? I wasn't even anticipating a red sky when I started this project, but red was my inspiring color of the day so it landed on the canvas. We don't see many red skies in Cleveland which is unfortunate, but the cotton candy colored sunsets in Cleveland can be pretty breathtaking. The pirate ship was drawn on canvas first with pencil and then outlined with ink to preserve the ship detail while the sunset was painted.

Pirate ship mural by Cleveland artist Nicole McClain

The waves under the pirate ship are given a blue wash to later be detailed with specific lines, whitecaps, and crashing against the ship. The waters behind the pirate ship were blended in as well with a hint of purple. The masts of the ship and pirate ship deck are also given some color.The red seemed a little harsh the following day, so I lightened it with some yellow acrylic paint (which turned a little too yellow and you will see I went back to a red sunset in the later pictures).

Pirate ship mural by Cleveland muralist Nicole McClain

The red sunset is emphasized again and the sunset is softened and blended together more thoroughly. The next step is to bring the masts, ropes, pirates, and base of the ship.

Storm ship mural painted by Cleveland artist Nicole McClain

Below the ship mural begins to really come together. Still a mural in progress but certainly moving along. I'm excited to see how the waves turn out and of course of all of fancy details (I love details).

Ship mural in progress from Cleveland painter Nicole McClain

Steam Train Mural by Artist Nicole McClain

The canvas measures 48" x 40" done with acrylic paint. The client was looking for a "train through the mountains motif" featuring water, trees and all the colors of nature. The painting will be displayed in the front lobby of their office building upon completion.

Any mural I create begins with a pencil sketch directly on the canvas or wall where the mural is to be located. The next step is to begin painting in some of the background scenery such as the grass and trees shown below.

I outlined the mountains to be sure where I wanted them to reside before painting the sunset sky. Add a little blue for the lake and suddenly the painting quickly starts coming to life.

Detailing more of the mountains and hills of the grass is shown below.

One key to this mural is the depth of each piece including the trees, mountains, train and lake. I have filled in more of the water below and will later add more shading to show the reflection of the sunset in the water and to show the water in the foreground.

A base layer for the sunset sky is dropped in behind the mountains.

Shades of blue are added to the sunset to show the gradient of sunset to the nighttime sky above. White is also added to tone down the yellow for a more natural look.

Here the sunset is softened behind the mountains with hues of orange and the detail of the mountain range and train begins.

Mountains with a dusting of snow are added way off in the distance to give depth and additional character to the painting. The foreground rocks and railroad ties begin coming into focus with earth tones for a faded, rustic look.

The mountain lines are further defined to make each peak and valley "pop," as well as the water near the cliff's edge.

Refined details of the train are shown below keeping in mind the angle of each curve, line, and light reflection.

The cliff on the right side of mural is added with brush and rocks.

The train cars and mountain valley are painted to come out of the mountain once again keeping in mind each curve, line, and angle of the train.

The bridge, track and train wheels begin coming to life.

The grill of the train is added as well as the beginning of the train tracks.

Chinese Landscape Mural by Nicole McClain

This chinese landscape mural was inspired not only by my love for chinese culture but also to have a painting to "escape and walk into." Using a more horizontal canvas creates a wider angle and allows the imagination to travel across and through the painting.

Stay tuned for this work in progress to be completed.