Glow Up: Learn the Power of Neon Spray Paint with 179
is a love letter documenting my murals, and community partnerships. Please enjoy!
Neon colors are one of the most iconic way I add movement and intensity to my paintings. I love the way they accentuate shapes and give depth to the colors around them. Learn how I utilize them in my work!
Adding neons help give a little pop to a design.
Neon colors give the energy to a painting that cannot be described, but like all good things, you have to exercise patience to master their application.
Traditionally neon colors tend to cover like a transparent paint. The best way I can describe it is there’s not a lot of “filler” or white pigment in the color which helps with coverage. A rule of thumb for spray paint is; the lighter the color, the more filler it has, the heavier the can, the more you need to shake and mix your paint. Just listen to the rattle inside. If it sounds laborious, it means your paint needs more mixing. In order to keep the intensity of the neons, there isn’t a whole lot of filler used. And this also means that you need to spray evenly as any drip, run, or overspray is going to show up easier. The last consideration is the possibility that neons tends to fade faster in sunlight. Paints such as Molotow Premium boasts a built in UV-coat so that’s always a plus! I recommend using a graffiti coat or UV protectant to any outdoor mural if it’s in direct sunlight or public facing. But please don’t use any of this as a deterrent to using these amazing colors! They are well worth the time and effort.
European brand paints like the ones I recommend are heavily pigmented and are the best at minimizing all of the points I’m making. Domestic brands are just now starting to catch up to the street art / mural industry which is why they tend not to have as much selection of colors, but I can talk about that in a different article.
Important Notes About Neons
A base coat of a light color as your background can help your neons stay bright.
Expect to layer several coats of paint to build up to solid coverage.
Slow and steady! Utilize thin layers, being mindful to let the paint dry in between to prevent cracking.
European brands such as Molotow Premium, Flame Blue, and Montana Gold have amazingly high pigmented colors that cover great and have the integral intensity we all crave!
In the video I posted on my Pinterest below, I’m filling in my Howling at the Neon Moon Mural and you can kind of see what I’m talking about.
Tools I Use:
Molotow Premium spray paint in the color 256-1 AntiStatik Neon Red.
Universal Skinny Cap: This cap I’m able to use in a variety of ways which helps me minimize the time it would take to switch out my caps. Here I’m filling, but later I’ll use it to cut close to the main image.
I use an outdoor latex paint or white primer to prep my walls a solid background. You can see the white background peeking out through the first layer of the color I’m using.
I’m using Montana Nitrile Black Gloves for my hands in size Small. I buy these by the case and always have on deck. The chemicals in spray paint will absorb through your skin so it’s best to give a layer of protection with either latex or nitrile gloves.
Pro Tip for Neons: Prime the areas you plan on using your neons on with a solid light color, preferably white. If you have a color similar to your neon, use that for a more dramatic background effect.
I believe that by rooting ourselves in community we can all build the networks needed to all be successful creative business owners through our art. Happy painting.
In joyful creation,
Angelina V.
Order your spray paint & mural supplies at
WWW.ARTPRIMO.COM
Mention my name for some extra love to your order ❤️.
Introducing "Reel Vibes #1" – Your Soundtrack to Creativity
Hey there, here’s a little extra love for reading the recent blog entry. Ever wondered about the tunes behind my epic IG moments? "Reel Vibes" is here to spill the musical beans. It's a Spotify playlist packed with the last 17 tracks from my Instagram adventures, perfect for painting, dancing, drawing, or simply grooving. Ready to explore new sounds? Hit the button below and dive into the melody pool!
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