How to Paint Clouds on Walls

Co-authored by Jeanine Hattas Wilson and Eric McClure

Last Updated: February 9, 2023

A great idea for a mural is to paint clouds on a sky blue wall to resemble an actual sky. The subtle clouds give the room a calming effect. You don't have to be an expert artist to paint this mural. It is possible to paint clouds on walls by following a few simple steps.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Prepare the Walls

1
Paint the walls a sky blue color. Choose a color that looks like the sky and also goes well with the accessories you will use to decorate the room. It is best to use a paint with a satin finish. Apply a second coat of paint if needed.
2
Cover a practice board with the same sky blue paint. You are going to want to practice making clouds on a board, before you actually paint on the walls.

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3
Give the walls 24 hours to dry before you go to the next step. Wait for the walls to dry completely.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Paint the Clouds

1
Prepare the white glaze for the clouds. You will mix 4 parts glaze to 1 part white paint in a paint pan.
- You will want to make your clouds transparent, and glaze works great as a transparent layer.
2
Practice making clouds on the paint board you prepared earlier. Play with cloud formation until you are confident you are ready to paint clouds on the actual wall.
3
Pick a spot on the wall to paint your first cloud. You do not want to paint it directly in the center of the room. Start by finding the exact center, then moving over and up 1 foot (30 cm).
4
Dip a dampened sponge into the white glaze. Dab any excess glaze off in the paint pan. Begin forming the clouds by dabbing the sponge in a straight line to form the bottom of the cloud. Continue up from the line, dabbing and twisting the sponge to form a cloud. You want the clouds to be denser toward the middle and thinner toward the edges.
5
Wet the cheesecloth and form it into a large ball. Wring out excess water. Use the cheesecloth to soften the edges of the cloud.
6
Vary the size of your clouds as you paint. You'll also want to add some wispy clouds in between larger clouds. Clouds should be light and airy looking. Try to be random with the placement of your clouds, just as they are in nature.
7
Place a few clouds around light switches and plugs. Also, let some of your clouds continue around a corner.

Community Q&A

Question

How long does it take to complete the project?

Community Answer

There is no one answer to this. It depends on the size of your room, how fast you paint and, of course, how often you stop to answer the phone, have a drink or go to the bathroom.
Question

Where could I buy the glaze?

C Grace

Community Answer

Any store that carries paint should also carry cans of glaze. Try your local hardware store.
Question

What's colors do I need to paint my ceiling to look like the sky?

Community Answer

You'll need white, light grey, and all different shades of light blue. If you want to paint a sun, use a bright and/or cream yellow, or use medium grey for a moon.