Jeff Childs uses Plaster Molds to create Ornamental Plaster Ceiling Designs

I've been wanting a mural on the ceiling in my dressing room for the longest time. And I wanted to do a little test as well (which you will soon see).

I recently saw that savvy contractors are installing wood moldings with joint compound. That lead me to believe we could do the same with a canvas mural which would make it removable someday. What a cool idea! So I incorporated my desire to decorating my ceiling with my need to test this theory.

Since the design I chose was a rose mural, I decided I wanted an ornate square frame with a rose spray in the center of each end to match the rose design.

Using our Oasis Plaster Mold, Cabbage Roses Mold and 2 on 1 Roses Mold, I cast the number of pieces I wanted for my ceiling frame and baked them in the oven on 300 degrees until they were bone dry. (Since you cannot install damp pieces, this is an easy, quick way to dry them and move forward with your project more quickly).

I laid them out in to the desired frame, measured the inside of the frame then cut my canvas about 2" larger than the inside dimension of the frame. This is so that I can cover the canvas edges with plaster pieces to hide them.

Create the mural:

Purchase pre-primed canvas from the art or craft store. It comes on a roll and is usually charged by the foot.

I first painted the canvas a beautiful soft gold color then blotted white paint here and there over the surface to break up the solid color.

Gently blot the paint with a sea sponge to soften the color.

To add a more antiqued look, I did the same with warm brown paint mixed with translucent wall glaze. This gave the entire surface beautiful texture and variation in colors.

To further the "antique" look, I used an artists liner brush with diluted acrylic paint to create marble type veining cracks in the faux finish. Believe it or not, you can actually use a permanent marker to draw veins as well. Permanent markers will not bleed like water color markers. Simply choose a lighter brown version rather than a dark brown color as it will look more natural.

I then stenciled my Rose Border Stencil right in the center of the canvas.

Since I wanted the project to look more hand painted, I added some painted ferns. It's super easy to do that. Here's how:

Either use an artists liner brush with diluted acrylic paints or if that idea scares the bajebaz right out of you, simply use a green permanent marker.

Draw fern stems arching out from the rose in various places.

Using a fan brush, dip one edge of it in white acrylic paint and the other edge in green acrylic paint, then begin dotting fern leaves over the stem. Give it a little practice first and try turning your bristles in different directions to get the look you want.

Installation:

Measure your canvas and mark this measurement on your ceiling in pencil.

Turn the canvas over and apply joint compound to the back of the canvas, leaving the edges free. I did about 2/3 of the canvas back.

Stick the canvas to the ceiling. You will find the joint compound makes it easy to slide the canvas right in to place.

Beginning in the center of the canvas and working your way toward the edges, smooth the canvas with a wallpaper brush or similar tool.

Spread joint compound over the back of the plaster pieces and begin applying them as you had planned around the edges of your mural.

You can to slightly cover the edges of the canvas as you apply the ornamental pieces.

Completely surround your canvas with the plaster pieces to create a complete frame.