it is all the same (parachute, muslin) some last's longer then others 100years as oppose to 50. For example if you paint in oils you would want to use linen instead of canvas - oil will "eat" canvas eventually - does not matter how well you prime it.

the technigue foundations do not change - prime, underpaint, color, detail, glue to the wall and seal (optional).

i know of serious exterior pablic murals painted on paper, yes plain paper - "acrylic color film" the actual paint layer is what counts. Now this artist uses synthetic material as the support for the color layer - it was difficult to relocate the paper murals.
(the largest outdoor mural he painted on paper is over 500 feet in lenght and 30 feet high)