Spray paint is one type of paint for wall art.
You can make art directly onto walls with a wide variety of paints, but consider some things before choosing. The durability of the art will influence your decision as will the location. Indoor and outdoor surfaces call for different paints. In addition, the kind of work you do and your artistic expertise also come into play.
Latex Paint
For a good all-around paint latex is ideal. Mixing a wide palette of colors can be difficult, though, if you are purchasing large quantities of house paint. Latex paint is suitable for any indoor application and is also fine for outdoors, though you should opt for exterior-grade paint. It is fairly easy to apply and doesn't have a lot of fumes, which means ventilation is not an issue.
Acrylic Paint
The color range that is available for acrylic paint in tubes is vast, and the color mixing possibilities are virtually endless, which makes acrylic ideal for art for which you want subtle gradations or a wide range of hues. It is an artist paint and has a similar base as latex paint but is more durable. It is also more expensive, which means unless your budget is large, you may wish to use it only for smaller-scale projects.
Spray Paint
If you have seen graffiti art, you are familiar with spray paint, but it can be used for other kinds of art on walls. It is best for outdoor applications because indoors, the fumes can accumulate and be toxic, so good ventilation is required for indoor use. You can't mix colors with spray paint, but overlays of thinner layers can create interesting effects. Spray paint holds up well, so it is suitable for things like outdoor murals. It also lends itself well to stencil applications.
Fresco
A very old wall painting technique is fresco, a method where pigment is actually mixed in with a cement-like mixture and applied directly onto a masonry wall. It takes a specialized knowledge to do this, but the results are stunning and can last for centuries. If this type of wall art interests you, seek a reputable teacher or school to learn the technique as there are many complex steps to paint a fresco safely and with good results.
