How to Paint a World Map on a Wall

How to Paint a World Map on a Wall
Published: Jan 1, 2011
Updated: Feb 23, 2021
2 minute read

If you love the variety of maps of the world and would like to have a large version of a world map on your wall instead of a paper version taped or nailed to your wall, you can paint a beautiful world map yourself. You may need several people to assist you, and it might take a couple of days to complete your project depending on how large you would like your world map to be. At the end of your project, you will have created a masterpiece.

globe image by danimages from Fotolia.com

Things You'll Need:

Things You Will Need

  • Plastic To Cover Floor
  • Extension Cord
  • Black/White World Map On Overhead Transparency
  • Black “Sharpie”
  • Color World Map
  • Brush Set
  • Baby Food Jars
  • Overhead Projector
  • Containers For Water
  • Paint
  • Heavy Metal Ruler (For Drawing Equator, Tropic Of Cancer/Capricorn)
  • Step-Stools
  • Basic Colors For Countries/Continents (Acrylic Recommended)
  • Light Blue For Map Background
  • Medium To Dark Blue For Continent Outline (Acrylic Recommended)
  • Rags/Paper Towels
  • Paint the background of the map light blue in an 8- by 15-foot rectangle. Let the background dry for at least a week.

    Turn on the overhead projector and set it up to shine on the wall. Place the overhead map online template in the center of the light blue background and enlarge the template size.

    Trace the outline of the longitude and latitude lines, the equator, continents, countries and oceans with a Sharpie pen. Use a color map template as a guide and paint each country. Keep a steady hand while you use medium blue color to paint the outline around continents and all islands.

    Touch up the paint on the map by using light blue background paint. Let paint dry. Then use large Sharpie pens to go back over the outlines of all countries and continents. Use a yardstick to trace over the latitude lines. Create dashed lines for the equator and tropics. Allow your map to dry on the wall.

    Please enjoy our virtual color mixer:

    Kahlea Pendleton

    Kahlea Pendleton has worked as a freelance editor since 2008. She has edited content for ChaCha.com a well-known, fast-moving texting company as an expeditor and has served as a homeschool teacher assistant for the past two years. She also…

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