Now that some of my work has been around 15-20 years, I can see how it looks over time. Painted murals are pretty durable and should last 15-25 years outside with just a slow fade. But the following circumstances will speed it up considerably:
#1 WATER
Fourteen years after it was painted, parts of the north-facing flag mural remain fairly bright, and the shading still shows up nicely. The problem is the drainage that spills from the street above; the amount of rain in Portland makes anything painted below grade or near gutters questionable.
Fourteen years after it was painted, parts of the north-facing flag mural remain fairly bright, and the shading still shows up nicely. The problem is the drainage that spills from the street above; the amount of rain in Portland makes anything painted below grade or near gutters questionable.
#2 SUN
South-facing walls will always wear the fastest, and this Rosewood Mural doesn't have a bit of shade to help it. You'll notice that the neon colors (espeically the bright magenta) doesn't fare as well as the more natural-based colors, which is why I usually avoid them. Considering this is nearly ten years later, its holding up pretty well.
South-facing walls will always wear the fastest, and this Rosewood Mural doesn't have a bit of shade to help it. You'll notice that the neon colors (espeically the bright magenta) doesn't fare as well as the more natural-based colors, which is why I usually avoid them. Considering this is nearly ten years later, its holding up pretty well.
#3 LIGHT, IN GENERAL.... and LESSER MATERIALS
My first collage mural uses recycled magazine paper. After fourteen years of continued exposure to overhead lights and air, the color slowly leaches, somewhat unevenly. These days I use better varnish that has some UV Protection, but its porousness means that paper will never last as long as plastic paint will.
My first collage mural uses recycled magazine paper. After fourteen years of continued exposure to overhead lights and air, the color slowly leaches, somewhat unevenly. These days I use better varnish that has some UV Protection, but its porousness means that paper will never last as long as plastic paint will.
