An Introvert's Studio Diary: Mural Art - How We Got Burned & What It Taught Us | Atelierovo Art
- Ivi Mrak
- May 27
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
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The reason I'm writing this blog is that last year gave us a very good lesson — and not juan-introvert-s-studio-diary-27-05-2026-mural-art-how-we-got-burned-what-it-taught-usst when it comes to mural art. Not only Wašo, but also me and our friend and partner in mural art-ing - Viktor, who worked incredibly hard on the realisation of one absolutely stunning project — which was unfortunately in the hands of people for whom concepts like fairness and honouring what you agreed on mean absolutely nothing. The good news is that all three of us felt the warning signs in the air. The bad news is that we chose to ignore them and go ahead anyway.
So let this be a warning to you — if something feels off about someone, that feeling is most likely telling you the truth.
If you ignore it the way we did, there's a good chance you'll get a lesson you didn't ask for. In the better case scenario you lose a few thousand (as we did) — I'd rather not go into the worse ones. :)
This "school" helped us understand our limits, the power of intuition, and set clear rules for how we work going forward. And it's precisely from that experience that we learned to set the clear boundaries we're sharing with you here.
So — enjoy the read.
What are you actually buying when you commission a mural?
Definitely not a standard coat of paint 😊 — any decorator can do that for a few euros per metre.
You're buying a design created specifically for your space. A consultation where we ask: what feeling should someone have when they walk past, or step inside?
You're buying hours of work outdoors, in all kinds of weather — up on scaffolding or crouched on the ground. And above all: you're buying a work of art that cannot be downloaded from the internet, produced by a machine, or copy-pasted.
How do we calculate the price?
We price murals by wall surface area in m². The cost of labour and the cost of materials are two separate items — we always tell you both upfront. Everything is transparent.
Below are indicative prices for labour only — materials not included (paints, spray, primer, protective varnish).
Indicative labour prices (materials not included)
Type of work | Price per m² |
Simpler motif, spray technique | from 25 €/m² |
Medium complexity — animals, nature, figures | 40 – 65 €/m² |
Detailed hand painting, complex scene | 60 – 90 €/m² |
Special techniques (neon, combined, multiple artists) | from 80 €/m² |
Minimum project price is 350 € for labour, regardless of wall size.
What affects the price?
Complexity of the motif — a detailed fox portrait is not the same as an abstract surface filled with graffiti lettering.
Wall height and access — sometimes scaffolding or a platform is needed, which is calculated separately.
Interior vs. exterior — different paints are used and surface preparation is often completely different.
Condition of the wall — if the surface needs repair or priming first, we'll let you know upfront.
Why a minimum price?
Because even 2 m² of detailed work can take a full day — travel, surface preparation, the painting itself, cleanup and so on. Below 350 € we would be working at a loss. And neither of us wants that. A sustainable long-term collaboration is one where both sides are happy.
What if I have a smaller budget?
Write to us. Seriously. Sometimes a project can be adapted — a smaller surface, a simplified motif, a solution that works for both sides. We will never just reply "you can't afford it." We'd rather have a conversation.
How the process works — step by step:
You write to us — Send us a photo of the wall and tell us what you have in mind — even just a few words or a reference image is enough. We'll get back to you within 48 hours.
You fill in a short questionnaire — To design something that is truly yours, we need to know more. We'll send it after your first message.
You receive a quote — Based on the questionnaire, we'll send you a price estimate — labour and materials separately. If you agree, we sign a contract.
Design within 2 weeks of signing — We'll prepare a sketch for your approval. One revision is included free of charge — if you'd like something changed, just let us know. Each additional revision is charged at 60 €, to respect both sides' time.
Realisation — Once you approve the design, we agree on a date. We work with eco-friendly acrylic paints and sprays — it matters to us that the space is safe both during and after the work.
Payment terms
40 % deposit upon signing the contract 40 % at the halfway point 20 % upon completion
Questionnaire — what helps us before we design
When you get in touch, we'll send you this questionnaire. Feel free to fill it in now and send it straight to us — it speeds up the whole process. 😊
About the space → Where is the wall located? (interior / exterior, city, type of place — home, restaurant, garden...) → What are the dimensions of the wall? (width × height, even roughly) → What material is the wall made of? (plaster, concrete, wood, metal, other) → Is the wall in good condition, or will some preparation be needed?
About your vision → Do you already have an idea — motif, theme, mood? Even just a feeling in words is fine. → Do you have reference images? Feel free to send a Pinterest screenshot, a photo from a website, anything. → Are there colours you definitely want — or ones you'd like to avoid? → Is there anything that must not appear in the mural? (motifs, colours, style)
About the project → When would you like the mural completed? → Do you have a budget in mind? (It helps us propose a solution that works for you.) → Who will be making the final decision on approving the design — just you, or more people?
We know now that trust is built gradually, step by step — so if you have a vision for your space, or something here has caught your eye, reach out through our contact form or write to us directly at atelierovoart@gmail.com
We look forward to hearing from you.
~ Ivi & Wašo
~ Atelierovo Art
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