There are many people who pick up a paint brush or watch a video tutorial on how to faux finish a wall, but they lack Craftsmanship. Many will try to hang wallpaper or paint a specific design on a wall, but does that make them a professional? Anyone could pick up a pair of scissors and say they can cut hair but would you want them cutting your hair if they have not professionally trained? Painting as a trade is a skilled craft that requires training if you are to call yourself a professional.
There is an incredibly long history of the craftsmanship of painting. Painting Pro Times notes the earliest known painters: “The oldest known painting kits, used 100,000 years ago in the stone age, have been unearthed in a cave in South Africa. Cave paintings have been uncovered on every continent, spanning a wide variety of cultures. The South African find shows that from the very beginning, the painting industry is a blend of art and science that expresses the ingenuity and the desire to color our living/working spaces…even if it’s a rock wall. Imagine trying to cut straight lines with a bone for a brush? This is the first known instance of deliberate planning, production and curation of a compound.”
It didn’t take long for paint, paint colors, application techniques and paint tools were developed and became more sophisticated. The PDCA Craftsmanship Forum notes what sets apart paint dabblers from professionals, “Vigilance is a good habit to practice and will ensure smooth completion of projects. Aesthetic appreciation is a source of inspiration and pride in ensuring beautiful results. Technical know-how is what separates the pros from the amateurs in our increasingly high tech painting industry…A craftsman is always conscious of the fact that he/she is dealing with chemicals and will handle them appropriately and with care.”
Painting is more than choosing a color and putting it on the wall. Paint does more than just enhance aesthetics, it is also a protectant. There are specific compounds that should be chosen as well as specific application techniques that should be used that the average person will likely not know. Painting craftsmanship has a long and interesting history but what is clear is that they are not only artists but trained tradesman. When beginning your next painting endeavor, consider the project at hand and the money and time you are investing. What better way to smartly and efficiently manage your project than to hire a professional painter? You will achieve the desired look and have peace of mind that the proper products and application techniques were used, which will produce the best end result.
