Earlier, volunteers from Yosemite High School poured a sidewalk at the base of the mural so mud would not splash onto it during rains and to provide a smooth walking surface for those passing by or wishing to get a closeup look at the mural. Next, each pencil line had to be made permanent by going over it with a brush and various colors of paints, giving an outline that would later be overpainted with the details and look of the final project. As sections of the paint sketching were completed, large areas of basic flat colors were laid in to later serve as background of rocks, bodies of water, trees and other masses. More than 25 gallons of acrylic latex paint were specially mixed by True Value Hardware to the specifications of the Art Director and Producer of the mural. These large quantities were then mixed down into painter's palettes so each artist had available a full range of colors for the area of the mural they'd work on that day.
Acrylic paint is a plastic, and quite expensive.
Latex paint is a rubber-like product and not so expensive. So the mural is a mixture of latex for large areas, and acrylic for smaller details. Frequently passing motorists would slow to gaze at the day's progress, others would honk their horns in support - which frequently scared the wits out of the artists who were deep in concentration, but loved the sentiments anyway. Far right, Artist Beth Clark, a well known graphic designer, is shown painting the bears. She painted many of the animals, as well as the beautiful Native American girl in the swing.