I have the simplest of tastes. I am always satisfied with the best
(Oscar Wilde)
One of the evils of money is that it tempts us to look at it rather than at the things that it buys. So before you say, I cannot afford a mural, think about what it is that you are buying for your child. When we meet, what you are buying will be explained to you in words, pictures and sketches, but this might mean nothing to your child. Perhaps it is a good thing. Because if moolee moolee could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint.
Pricing murals is an art, not a science. Yet, as Paul Gauguin, one of the great modern artist of our time, put it:
My God! How terrible these money questions are for an artist.
Price per square foot
To calculate wall dimensions, simply measure the length and width of your wall in meters and multiple those figures to get square meters; then multiply the total by 10,76 and you will get square feet. Here is an example:
Length of wall: 3 metres
Width of wall: 2,5 metres
Total in square meters: 3 x 2,5 = 7,5 square metres
Multiply by 10,76 = 80,7 square feet
A moolee moolee mural is rarely calculated in its entirety per square foot, because murals do not necessarily involve an entire wall and often include animals that are priced per image at 100% detail (see below). For the purposes of this website, however, a client can approximate the cost of a mural at about 10 to 35 $ per square foot, depending on the degree of difficulty and realism. For example, simple background such as sky, mountains and earth or grass is normally priced at 10 $ per square foot. Realistic looking trees, grass, plants, flowers, water and pebbles average 15 to 25 $ per square foot. The last category to consider would be architecture and objects other than animal or human (see price per image), such as detailed ships, trains, tree houses, castles and vehicles of all sorts that normally cost between 25 to 35 $ per square foot.
A typical mural usually covers an average household wall of about 2,5 metres wide and 3 metres tall (7,5 square metres or 80 square feet). An example of what can be done on a large wall of this size with a small budget of about 600-700 $ is a simple but effective design such as Patchwork Cow Wearing Stripes (the client supplied high quality household paints for the greens).
Detailed murals of this size (80 square feet), however, can cost 1300-1500 $. Savannah Breeze is an example of a mural on this price scale.
Sometimes murals include less background and more detail, or vice versa, so the price varies accordingly. The intricacy involved in rendering the animals contributes to the price (see below price per image). Eliminate some of the animals, make them less realistic or simplify their poses and the cost would be less. Add an acacia tree, desert flowers, more animals, a person and a safari vehicle or airplane and the price could double.
Price per image
Price per image is based on an evaluation of how long it will take to paint something at 100% detail. There is an amazing amount of detail that goes into painting realist looking humans and animals, including fantasy creatures, birds, reptiles, amphibians, sea creatures, insects and so forth. Flesh, depth of fur, anatomy, facial expression and complicated poses are notoriously difficult to paint. In some cases, size can be irrelevant; a small zebra or horse takes more time to paint than a larger bear or elephant. Also, a technique called dry brush, used to render fur, damages expensive paint brushes, and their constant renewal must figure into the pricing.
Once again, prices vary depending on the difficulty or intricacy of the design, but as a rule, the more realistic and complex the image, the higher the cost. For example, the life-size orangutan in Monkey See, Monkey Do compares to the standing meerkat in Rope Bridge Haven, yet the orangutan (325 $) costs more than the meerkat (200 $) because it has an anthropomorphic anatomy and swings from a rope.
Clearly, you can still have a wonderfully detailed image on a small budget because a mural does not entail painting an entire wall. It can comprise a few life-size animals or objects, flora or trees, strategically placed around a room and matched with an overall design for an amazing effect.
Cost of Paints
Prices quoted per square foot include paint (see About the Paints).
At the artist’s discretion, when large surfaces require few details and colours, a more viable option might be to use 100% acrylic household paints. Moolee moolee does not supply household paints; it is therefore the client’s responsibility to purchase the highest quality 100% acrylic paints after consulting with the artist. The price of the mural will be reduced accordingly.
Special Prices
Moolee moolee reserves its special prices for children with special needs. If you have a child with a disability and cannot afford a mural, please contact moolee moolee, and it may be possible to arrange a low-cost mural.
Hidden Costs
There are no hidden costs. There may be additional charges depending on working conditions such as restricted hours of operation, ceilings (up to 50% more expensive), cramped spaces, travelling time and distance, scaffolding or specialised paints and finishes. However, everything will be discussed with the client beforehand.
