Book Description
Trompe l'oeil murals can turn even the most drab room into a beautiful work of art as enchanting as it is convincing and realistic. Now readers can learn how to capture that magic with The Art of Trompe l'oeil Murals.
Master muralist Yves Lanthier has decorated the homes of celebrities with his breathtakingly true-to-life paintings, but readers don't have to be rich or famous to benefit from his expertise. Step-by-step illustrations let readers watch as Lanthier's work comes alive, and will inspire them to create lush, highly sophisticated murals of their own using simple elements.
Seeing is believing, and this is one book readers won't want to take their eyes off of!
Customer Reviews:
Excellent.......2006-07-03
I loved this book and although I would have liked more instruction on painting some of his illusions, I am quite happy with what the author did include. Great photos of his completed works.
Very inspiring.......2006-06-19
I found this to be a wonderful book and will give it often as gifts.
Just Okay.......2006-05-04
I mistakenly thought this was a Graham Rust book. I don't buy this type of book thinking I will be a grand muralist. I buy them for high-end decoupage images. I rip the book apart and use the images. This book did not meet my needs. I found the images bland. Again, I do not buy these books for the intended purpose so keep this in mind
Designer.......2006-04-14
This is a very nice coffee table book, and for a beginning art novice there are some "secrets". But, for artist with general high school level education this is little more than a nice picture book.
There is no discounting Yves Lanthier's skill or excellent creative ability but the few tips he gives are not for creating the Trompe L'oeil ceilings he exhibits in the book. Rather he shows simple stone / marble technique, a basic wall effect and basic light shading in the last fifteen pages of the book.
This is not a book the speaks to basic line and eye illusion of ceiling depth which I was looking for.
"to fool the eye or to fool yourself?.......2006-02-20
"To trick the eye" if that is your intention be objective ... this people do not" fool the eye"... they fool themselves, and you.
Customer Reviews:
Not instructional.......2006-07-03
This is a great book to see what someone else has done using trompe l'oeil, however it is not instructional.
Oh The Possibilities.......2006-01-13
The murals in this book are beautiful, fantastical, grand and WAY above my abilities. :-) I enjoyed this book because of the possibilities and the ideas it fostered versus my ability (or inability) to mimic the designs. I've been looking for a book that addresses how to incorporate doors into murals and this is the first one that I've come across that showed some ideas.
Obviously, this author and muralist is a VERY experienced painter (note his mural interpretation of the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe nursery rhyme - pg 82). Many of the murals depicted would be something expected in a museum, hotel or grandiose mansion. In fact, if you look in the back of the book you will notice that many of them are from private collections and the Marquess and Marchioness of Hertford.
The Painted House does not contain much info on techniques or step-by-step instructions. It is more of an idea book to open your mind to possibilities. I do think some of the less complex designs could be adapted to smaller spaces with some creative thinking.
If you want inspiring mural designs to paint, this book is probably only for the very experienced or talented artist. If you are a creative beginner, it's a good resource for ideas to stimulate projects on your own artistic level.
Not useful.......2005-10-01
Although the work depicted in the photos is incredible, none of it is very useful. Nice to look at - not at all practical for everyday painters.
good reference, not for beginners.......2005-07-20
I am a decorative artist, and I found this book to be really helpful when looking for inspiration,or looking up some new themes, fresh ideas.If You are a beginner looking for a step by step guide, don't bother,it won't help.However, it WILL make You want to paint, because it is just so beautiful, it makes You want to grab Your brush and paint all over the place. I also found this useful to show it to clients who want a mural, but are not sure about a theme.
Gorgeous works, terrific for inspiration.......2003-01-13
This book is full of beautiful paintings and ideas. The author gives you layout examples so you could literally paint your whole house, or at the very least all 4 walls of a room. Some of the examples are things like: being in an Arabian tent with one flap rolled back to reveal a beautiful desertscape; an indoor swimming pool circled with mythological creatures; draped fabric on all the walls, etc. There are many more, and they're simply breathtaking. The author has painted murals inside museums in Europe, so you know the quality is there. There are oodles of color photos here, and while this isn't a full blown step-by-step book, with 1,2,3 pictures, it gets 4 stars because of it's incredible diversity of mural use, from small to large, and the inspiration that comes from it. I wish it were a little less costly, but it is a nice book with quality paper stock and binding. I know I will refer to it when I start my mural project. If it had more of a beginner's feel, I'd have given it 5 stars.
Customer Reviews:
Worth the money.......2006-07-03
I cannot say enough about this trompe l'oeil artist. I am a complete fan and have learned a ton from both this book and his book on trompe l'oeil panels.
Very pleased with my purchase........2005-08-27
If you like to learn new painting technics, and be inspired by others, this is a fantastic book.
Pretty, good book.......2000-11-19
This book is great for rendering faux marbles and some woods, but as a professional decorative painter, I was very disapointed with the level of artistry when it came to fieldstone, tortoise shell, and some others. It looked totally amaturish. Also, if you use watered down paint, as is recommended, you will have problems clearcoating without streaking your work. I have always found the use of glazing compounds a much better solution.
Excellent source for faux and mural reference material.......2000-05-06
This book is a wealth of information and ideas for my mural and faux business. The richness and unique faux wood and marble and not only beautiful to look at but the color samples and instructions are very good. The book demonstrates a very high quality of work and creativeness. It is a great book for ideas and resource material for the artist who does faux and mural work. It is a must for your reference library.
Excellent for experienced decorative painters.......1997-12-15
Originally published in French as a series of six books, `The Handbook of Painted Decoration' by Yannick Guegan and Roger Le Puil is an excellent reference book for experienced decorative painters. Yannick Guegan who authors the chapters on marble, wood, friezes and ornament has been in the business for thirty five years, has won numerous awards and is an excellent artist and teacher. Roger Le Puil, author of the chapters on basic patinas, finishes and forgotten techniques, is also an award winner, has painted extensively and has been involved with the French Association for Painting Training and the Paris Institute of Decorative Painting. The book consists of four hundred and fifty full colour pages of information, step by step demonstrations, and inspiring examples. This is a dense book; a lazy Sunday morning browse will only get you half way through it. Traditional European themes and techniques are emphasised with updated techniques for modern water based mediums. The finishes demonstrated are too numerous to be easily reviewed but I will say that the marbles are unique and dramatic, and the wood graining is fabulous. The Trompe L'oeil techniques demonstrated are basically architectural with a large section on fabric and drapery. I am prejudice but this book is beautiful enough to make a coffee table book for architects, designers, and artists of all kinds. It was a blind buy for me and I am not disappointed in the least by the book or by my first buying experience with Amazon. The book is well worth the price if you can learn from books and have enough experience to follow the examples.
Book Description
This practical introduction to a dramatic and versatile paint effect begins with a thorough explanation of basic techniques using detailed step-by-step photographs alongside clear instructions. It then goes on to show how to apply these techniques in eye-catching projects around the home.
Customer Reviews:
uninspiring.......2006-03-23
The book lacks both technical details and inspirations. Contains several basic boreing projects so meticulously drawn line after line as for to be copied. The "trompe l'oeil" title is too ambitious either. Sorry to admit but very like other books offered.
Good IF you're a beginner..........2001-12-05
This is just a so-so book. It is most helpful for novice painters or total beginners. The projects in the book are relatively basic and they have been "done before" (many, many,many times). Professional and serious decorative painters will find the projects in this book elementary.
This book was not very useful to me as a professional decorative painter.
A really great book to own after all.......2001-03-18
I have been using this book for a while now, and i would like to increase my previous review rating from 3 to 5 stars. I have had a chance to compare this book with other literature and i now realise what a great resource book it is. The instructions are easy to follow and i was able to apply the simple techniques it contains to the more elaborate trompe l'oeils that i wished to attempt - where other materials had led me to beleive that this would be beyond my ability. I have also come to appreciate the short and simple list of material needed for each project making this book a true source of inspiration.
Content is of quality but with little diversity.......2000-09-09
This book could be of no help or inspiration to me for the decoration projects I have which are more "murals" like. The exemples depicted are fun, well detailed and well explained but cover mainly household items on shelves all in the modern folk art tradition. These can look really nice in a home but I have trompe l'oeil windows, arches and blue skies in mind for mine and couldn't find any in there. Number of stars depends on needs... and I need another book.
A Wonderful Teacher.......1999-08-30
I just finished several "stone blocks" in my dining room, and I am almost embarrassed to say that I literally squealed with delight at how easy it was and how good it turned out! And I'm not a novice painter; I'm a NON-painter. Roberta Gordon-Smith is one of those gifted people who can teach her subject to anyone...truly. Thank you SO much =)
Amazon.com
The pleasing visual trickery of trompe l'oeil painting can add character to any room in any style of home. Many people are intimidated by the painting skills seemingly required to producing convincing trompe l'oeil, but as Roberta Gordon-Smith reveals in The Trompe L'Oeil Home, you don't need a great deal of artistic background to get started in the field. However, a nodding acquaintance with craft painting methods, a lot of practice, and a strong dose of confidence will certainly help ensure success. Following a good general introduction to materials, planning, preparation, and very basic techniques, the author divides her 27 projects into a room-by-room approach. For example, try brightening a kitchen with a scrolling fruit and flower frieze, or dress up a tiny powder room with the luxurious look of a faux fabric-draped wall. Add a touch of wit to a cramped study by depicting books and knickknacks on a cabinet front. Enliven a dining room with a balcony vista on the door, or cover the bedroom ceiling with sky. Extensive in-progress photos accompany detailed step-by-step directions; full-room photos offer further ideas to inspire more experienced painters. --Amy Handy
Customer Reviews:
More Mural than Trompe L'Oeil.......2005-12-31
This book covers material, preparation, planning and perspective in a very basic, quick introduction. The photographs are very nicely done and some of the projects include photographs of the steps. The reason I only gave the book a 3 star is because some of the projects seem more like murals than trompe l'oeil (French for "fool the eye"; a two-dimensional painting designed to look like a three-dimensional object).
Many of the projects showed closeup photos of the detail, but you did not get to see many of them just placed in the room to determine whether it really fooled the eye. For example, the Fabric-Draped wall project does not ever show the entire wall, just a very small section with a mirror hanging on it (pg 90). The Pot of Geraniums also remained two-dimensional to me, it never seemed to pop off the wall (pg 78).
Now don't get me wrong, the murals created by the artists are all very nice, but I can't say that many of them actually fooled me or my eye. It could also be the way they were photographed. There were several good works, i.e. the Bedroom faux stone wall (pg 92), the Balcony View that was painted on a door (pg 48), the Sky Ceiling which is one of my favorite skies because it looks so real (pg 99) and the Secret Garden that appears to lead onto a path off a patio (pg 126).
If you are looking for murals, I would rate this a 4.5 star, but it did not live up to it's "trompe l'oeil" title, so I am only giving it a 3.
For the Beginner.......2005-12-15
This is a good book for a do it yourself-er, or homeowner who wants to learn to paint for a child's room, for example. I wouldn't recommend it for a person who wants to do this for a living. A better choice for someone just beginning, but is serious about learning would be one of Chris Westall's books on trompe l'oeil.
Not quite what I was looking for.......2002-01-20
This book has beautiful photographs of Trompe L'Oeil and it does offer a few explanations on projects but it's more photos then anything else. It gives a good stone wall and sky project explanation and a few small projects but it doesn't give any information on a lot of the photos. If you are a beginner I wouldn't recommend this one. Very few templates offered for the amount of projects they illustrate. I hoped for more with this book but it's just not there. I think I could of found a better book for the money.
Great projects for every room, good instructions.......2001-03-18
This is a wonderful book packed with great projects for every room in your house. I have several Trompe L'Oeil books, and this one is filled with fresh ideas that fit a variety of decors and practical situations. It makes creating a special niche in your home easy.
The book starts out with advice on materials and tools. It then guides you through planning, perspective, surface preparation, and the basic techniques you will be using. Over 25 projects follow, with each including a materials list, detailed step-by-step instructions, color photos, and helpful tips to guide you. Templates are provided for many of the projects, but not all of them. The designs include a ship's wheel mirror frame, a window with a view, wood paneling, cute monkey, lemon tree, sky ceiling, secret garden, bunny box, and fabric-draped walls.
A nice list of suppliers, including phone numbers and Web sites, is located in the back. I recommend this book for all levels. However, I do think some painting experience would be helpful. You should definitely practice on paper before trying to paint on a wall.
Customer Reviews:
What a waste of money..........2003-04-05
I bought this book hoping for some good ideas and a little inspiration. Instead I got book full of so-called murals and tompe l'oeil that the average person would never use.
Some of the projects in this book are so rudimentary and plain ugly (including a Q-Bertesque wall) that I am embaressed to say I own this book. Yeesh!
How to Paint Murals if you are expierienced!!!.......2002-12-03
I purchaced this book to get another perspective on painting murals. I am a beginner and I found that only the mid to advanced artist, would enhance their ability to do murals. This book is not for beginners!!! I have since purchaced other books that deal with all levels from the beginner to the advanced and felt I could follow and learn more as I gain confidence and expierience. I have not opened the book since, Maybe in 5 years I may relate more to it. Sorry. JR
not what I was looking for.......2002-09-19
I purchased this book hoping to get some good pointers on how to move from landscape painting into the mural stage, but I found the book quite simplistic. It would be a great guide if you are wanting a fast, simple, stencil-look, but not for the serious artist.
How to Paint Murals, etc. by V. Ellerton.......2002-03-20
This book has lovely pictures - it definitely is helpful in determining how to paint certain types of simplistic murals, but is not detailed enough for intense scenes, skies, landscapes, etc. A good book to start out with if you are interested in how to paint murals.
How to paint murals and Trompe L'oeil.......2000-05-16
what makes this book special is the clear instructions on 1) color it shows you the colors on a pallete so there easy to match with any brand they even have a paint directory 2) the list of supplies are put clearly in a grey box in the corner of the page makes an easy shopping list 3) excellent pictures of tools in action 4) lots and lots of templates. History Instruction and Inspiration it's all there!
Book Description
Trompe L'Oeil Interiors provides a hands-on approach to the tradition of using murals and painted illusions in interiors. For home decorators who want to create something unexpected or adventurous, this book gives clear, step-by-step instructions for carrying out a range of exciting trompe l'oeil projects in any room. Small stand-alone projects, such as marble blocks, vases, greenery and balustrades, serve as an introduction to the different elements of trompe l'oeil painting. More ambitious feature projects, such as a cloudy ceiling with greenery and birds, as well as a stone urn in a niche with a drape, demonstrate how basic techniques can be combined to create trompe l'oeil features with real impact. Inspirational photographs provide variations on each theme, encouraging readers to recombine the basic elements in their own way.
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful for Beginners .......2005-12-15
I recommend this book to all beginners in mural painting. It touches on all aspects of the trade such as materials, perspective drawing, and trompe l'oeil techniques. There are several step-by-step projects included.
Book Description
A unique collection of original and inspirational trompe l'oeil motifs and practical step-by-step projects to embellish your home.
Murals and trompe l'oeil paintings are a unique way of adding personality to any part of the home. From the French term 'to trick the eye', they can create a particular atmosphere, enlarge a small space or create a focal point. Trompe l'Oeil Design Library contains everything you need to create the scene you want, from a country pitcher on a shelf or climbing wisteria, to curtains surrounding a window or a Greek landscape glimpsed through a marble arch. Each section contains two full-scale projects, one large-scale and one smaller, illustrated in step-by-step detail showing how the picture is built up. A wide selection of templates extends the theme, offering countless more designs. The tools, materials and techniques sections are comprehensive and easy to follow.
Customer Reviews:
Good Visuals.......2007-07-04
Good book to help beginners to professionals. I used some great tips from this book to paint one of my doors.
Bible an exaggeration.......2007-02-02
Calling a book a "bible" is an affectionate term usually reserved for highly regarded works that many professionals turn to for help and/or inspiration. Like Ralph Mayer's "The Artists Handbook".
This book is not a "bible". It is more like a primer suitable for beginners and hobbyists. Very disappointing to find it so elementary.
Great instructional book.......2006-07-03
If you want some trompe l'oeil tips along with photographs of finished work, this is a great book. Step by step instruction of many illusions.
uninspiring.......2006-03-23
The book lacks both technical details and inspirations. Contains several basic boreing projects so meticulously drawn line after line as for to be copied. The "trompe l'oeil" title is too ambitious either. Sorry to admit but very like other books offered.
Good book but more out there.......2006-01-26
Good book but I have found a good site that offers free online tutorials for Trompe L'oeil at http://www.creativeevolution.net/school/howto.php
Book Description
An overview of decorative painting in interior design, with special focus on contemporary issues and building situations. Trompe L'Oeil Today surveys illusionistic painting—material imitation (faux finishes), grisaille, small trompe l'oeils, and panoramic murals—for both homes and commercial establishments. It discusses materials, technique, perspective, and other topics of interest to interior designers and painters, and their clients, illustrated with outstanding work by a variety of artists. 180 color illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Not what I expected.......2004-07-29
I was waiting for this book to become available, and bought it right away. I was disappointed, first of all, at how pathetically small the book is for the price. Also, I was expecting to see some really awesome stuff...new stuff. However many of the photos are of murals I've seen in other books on the subject. (To be clear, I'm not saying these artists' works are bad, it's just I've seen it all before) There were a few new ones, but not incredibly impressive. I guess if you're looking for some books with some stunning work in it, I would go for some of these:
Revisiting The Painted House by Graham Rust (as well as his other titles), and The Art of Trompe L'oeil Murals by Yves Lanthier.
Book Description
Melanie Royals returns with more of the great techniques that made her first book, Trompe L'Oeil Murals Using Stencils, a must-have for anyone seeking to explore the intriguing possibilities of trompe l'oeil. Designed to be used by newcomers to the art and featuring sophisticated content that will captivate professionals, Painted Illusions includes:
* Step-by-step projects using stencil techniques so easy to master that even novices can paint beautiful faux finishes and trompe l'oeil images
* Inspiring photographs of completed projects and helpful hints for alternative applications
* A variety of possible effects, including inlaid wood, embroidered fabric, embossed leather, and decorative plaster moldings
With Painted Illusions, readers can make magic!
Customer Reviews:
Excellent book!.......2006-10-05
The thing that makes this book great, is that Royals tells you the exact type and name brand of paints to purchase in order to achieve these effects. Showing a color of a "tan" may not be the color you need to achieve certain results, because there are several tans. She shows you the stencils used and takes you step by step. It helps to know a little about shading and highlighting to get the results you're after. Very,very happy with this book. Great price also.
Mouth Droppingly Beautiful.......2005-12-07
This is my first book by this author and I was blown away. I am not a big fan of the folk-art type of decor BUT there are only a couple of examples of that style in this book. The remainder designs would rival Debbie Travis'.
Where do I start? Her freeform stencil of the grapevines and scrolls is one of the prettiest examples of layering of stencils. I think why I like her is that it's MUCH MORE realistic looking than most of the stencil art out there. I think it must be her technique.
My favorite part of the book is from chapter 3 to the end of the book. The photos are great in showing how to do each step. A lot of embossing and faux fabric techniques that look exactly like damask and other patterned fabric. It is really amazing. Now don't get me wrong, I did not like every wall in this book. The Batik was not for me, only because it looked too "country" for my taste, but again, the technique could be used for a different design. The Oriental Brocade was a little too much for me.
This author got it right in how to demonstrate the steps. They are all numbered in order and the pictures clearly demonstrate the technique. She even has a technique that looks like crewel embroidery. To me, the best techniques in the book were:
~Embossed Leather - looks so real. I think I am going to try it in my husband's study
~Decorative Carved Dado - it REALLY looks carved
~Faux Stone Tile
~Carved Stone Frieze
~Velvet Embossing
~Printed Linen
~Damask - done is a beautiful tone-on-tone
~Shimmering Silk
If I had just looked at the pictures, I would have said, "How beautiful! Wish I could do that," but with the explicit details and instructions, I really think I can.
Well worth the money and I plan on looking up more of this auhor's books.
Awesome book.......2005-08-02
I have one of this author's previous books and I loved it. This book has some awesome ideas for authentic looking finishes using stencils. I am amazed at how great these finishes look and can't wait to try my hand at them.
Books:
- The Big Book of Painting Nature in Watercolor (Practical Art Books)
- The Big Book of Painting Nature in Watercolor (Practical Art Books)
- The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World
- The Complete Calvin and Hobbes (Calvin & Hobbes)
- The Freedom Writers Diary: Movie-Tie-In: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them
- The Graphic Standards Guide to Architectural Finishes: Using MASTERSPEC to Evaluate, Select, and Specify Materials
- The Happiest Toddler on the Block: The New Way to Stop the Daily Battle of Wills and Raise a Secure and Well-Behaved One- to Four-Year-Old
- The Invention of Hugo Cabret
- The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club)
- The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Skin: The Complete Guide to Digitally Lighting, Photographing, and Retouching Faces and Bodies
- Kindred Spirits: Asher B. Durand and the American Landscape
- Dynamics of Droplets
- History: Fiction or Science
- Limnology: Lake and River Ecosystems
- Journey from the Center of the Sun
- Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life
- Surrealism and the Occult: Shamanism, Magic, Alchemy, and the Birth of an Artistic Movement
- Dean Cornwell: Dean of Illustrators
- The color dictionary of shrubs
General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Revisiting the Painted House: More Than 100 New Designs for Mural and Trompe L'Oeil Decoration
How to Start a Faux Painting or Mural Business: A Guide to Making Money in the Decorative Arts
The Painted Ceiling: Over 100 Original Designs and Details
Trompe L'Oeil Sky and Sea
Trompe L'Oeil Panels and Panoramas: Decorative Images for Artists and Architects
