WATERFORD WALLS HUB 2025
As I could not book a hotel room for Saturday or Sunday many of the planned murals had yet to be completed so many that I photographed were very much unfinished but hopefully I can revisit them next year.
I’ve finally had the opportunity to photograph something I’ve always wanted to capture: a mural created using the scribble grid technique. This mural is a work in progress at The Glen, part of the Waterford Walls Hub 2025 event. While I don’t know the exact artist yet, it’s one of the following: AndyMc, HOCK, Kohneshia, Kone, Rocket01, WRN, or Zurdie.
What Is a Scribble Grid?
The scribble grid, also known as a doodle grid or lazy grid, is a clever technique used by artists, especially muralists, to scale up a design from a small sketch to a large wall. Unlike a traditional, precisely measured grid, this method allows for more spontaneity and is perfect for irregular or textured surfaces.
Here’s a breakdown of how the process typically works:
Preparation: The artist first creates their design digitally and takes a photo of the wall where the mural will be painted.
The Grid: On the actual wall, the artist draws a series of random, non-uniform shapes, letters, or scribbles. These aren’t meant to be neat; they simply act as a unique set of reference points across the surface. This can be done with chalk, spray paint, or a brush.
Overlay: The artist then takes a photo of the wall with the scribbles on it. They import this photo into their digital software, placing it on a layer beneath their mural design. By making the mural design partially transparent, they can see the scribbles underneath.
Transfer: Using the overlaid image as a guide, the artist notes where the lines of their design intersect with the random scribbles on the wall. For example, a line might start where a letter ‘G’ is drawn and end where it crosses a curvy line.
Painting: Using these “scribble intersections” as a guide, the artist transfers their design onto the wall, ensuring the proportions and placement are correct.
This method is fast, flexible, and doesn’t require a ruler or a projector, making it a modern, less rigid alternative to the traditional grid method. It allows artists to maintain accuracy while adopting a more freehand approach.
