Creative DIY Sharpie Wall Tutorial

We searched high and low for the right modern wallpaper for our tiny bathroom but found a much better solution. Did you know that for under $10, you can create a DIY Sharpie wall? Use our detailed tutorial to save time, money, and the hassle of hanging wallpaper!

We were nervous about taking on this Sharpie wall, but we are so happy we did. It was so fun to create, and the end result was a unique design element that added to our cheap half-bath makeover.

Choosing A Design

Our suggestion is that you find a wallpaper that you like and use that as inspiration for your wall mural.

Considerations

• Do you want a nature-inspired abstract design or a combination of both for your DIY accent wall design?
• Do you want various lines where some are thicker, and some are thinner?
• What else will go on the wall? Will the space be broken up with decor like a bathroom wall shelf or mirror?
• If you’re designing a more traditional faux wallpaper, will you repeat the same pattern over and over? If so, you’ll probably want to consider making a template like we did when making this painted geometric wall idea.

READ MORE: 12+ Creative Bathroom Accent Wall Ideas

Once you have a wall design idea, you are ready to start getting to work! No matter what design you choose, you can follow our basic steps.

How To Make Faux Wallpaper With Sharpie

Before You Begin

• It would be best to practice drawing with paint pens and markers.
• You also need to start with a clean and dry painted surface. We painted our walls with SW Pure White before beginning this drawing process.
• Tape any areas where your lines may hit the other walls and counters. Small pieces of tape will work just fine.

Step 2: Sketch On The Wall

Draw on the wall as lightly as you can. If you think you can just go for it with the marker, it will save you some eraser time in the end.

Since we were free-hand drawing this mural, we found pencil sketching was the best design method.

PRO TIP: Step away from the wall periodically and look at the sketch from a distance. When looking up close for a while, it is hard to see what the finished mural will look like.

Step 3: Begin Tracing With Paint Pen

Use the paint marker to go over your designs. It is easiest to do the thin lines first and then go back to thicken the lines that also did not turn out.

PRO TIP: When drawing on the wall, hold the paint marker at as much of a 90-degree angle as possible. This will help the paint flow out of the tip and give you the smoothest and boldest line.

Step 4: Continue To Look At Your Mural From A Distance

Step back and look for areas that could use more details, thicker lines, or ones that should be left alone. Like most artmaking, it can be hard to decide when to stop. Just remember, sometimes less is more.

Step 5: Let The Paint Marker Fully Dry

These markers dry surprisingly fast on drywall. Give extra time before erasing, as you do not want to smudge all your hard work.

Step 6: Erase Visible Pencil Lines

We were nervous about eraser marks and smudges on a white-painted wall. After a few tests, we found that a pink eraser on a good-quality pencil worked best for us with the texture of our wall. You can experiment with other erasers, but some smudged more than others.

Optional: Use A Foam Brush For Touch-Ups

If there are any areas that you don’t like or that smudge, you can use a small foam brush with your wall color to try to clean them up. Just be careful not to overdo it and make an area worse.

Tutorial FAQs

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DIY Sharpie Wall Tutorial

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Use our tutorial to learn how to make a hand-drawn mural in your home.

Print Tutorial

Prep:15 minutes mins

Active Time:1 hour hr

Total Time:1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Equipment

• 1 Small Foam Brush optional
• Painter’s Tape only a few small pieces

Supplies

• Water-based Paint Markers With Medium Tip this 3-pack comes in handy to switch out markers while working
• Pencil With A Good Eraser

Optional

• New Wall Paint Color sample of SW Pure White that we used to repaint our bathroom

Instructions

Before You Begin

• Plan out your wall mural design on paper.
• If needed, paint your walls a new base color of your choosing.

Making Your Wall Design

• Follow directions on paint pen to get paint flowing.
• Tape any areas where your lines may hit the other walls and counters. Small pieces of tape will work just fine.
• As lightly as you can, draw on the wall with a pencil.
• Step away from the wall periodically and look at the sketch from a distance. When looking up close for a while it is hard to see what it really will feel like in the space.
• Use the paint marker to go over your designs with thin lines to start.
• Continue to work on your lines by making some thicker than others. Make sure to hold the marker as close to 90° for the smoothest application.
• Let the paint pen fully dry.
• Use a good eraser to get rid of extra pencil lines.
• If needed, add a little wall color to a foam brush to clean any smudges or imperfections.

Video

Notes

• Test that you are able to erase pencil lines on your wall without smudging or looking horrible. You need to be to lightly draw and find the right eraser for your space.
• Paint markers or pens will give you a smoother and bolder line than regular permanent markers.
• Plan your faux wallpaper ahead of time. If repeating a pattern, make a stencil or tape out guidelines.
• You can use an overhead projector to project design on the wall. We were unable to do this due to this half bath being such a small space.

Author: Erin Nutter

Cost: under $10