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Beginners:  Secrets of trompe l'oeil

This, I hope, will inspire you to stop worrying about the masterpiece you haven't finished yet and paint something just for fun.  

 

 

 I run courses on trompes l'oeil , still life &  faux finishes in SE England, contact me for more information

The words trompe l'oeil are French, simply "trick the eye". 

Traditionally,  the term refers to the art of deceiving the onlooker, often humorously, into thinking that a 2D surface is a3D object. Nowadays it  incorporates faux finishes

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"Wouldn't fool me"?  

There are many subtle examples around you today;  furniture that appears to be older than it is, wood that has never seen a tree and brass door handles that aren't. Even your computer tries to trick your eye; using buttons, highlights and shadows that don't exist.  

 

 

 

 

 

The  most successful trompes are, therefore, the ones that go un-noticed. However, the most fun are the ones you do notice.  

 

 

Try it yourself

 You will need ;

paint, subject, observation, plus a working knowledge of perspective and chiaroscuro

Ok, let's start at the beginning.

Wet coloured stuff. 

One that suits your skills. It is best to start small, a scarf on a coat hanger  or some money on the floor.

If that works, there will be no stopping you. 

Windows are the perfect subject. Flowers or ornaments on the sill and whatever scene you prefer beyond. Don't like scenes? Paint a niche.

Paint carefully what you see, not what you think you see. Sketch it out first, then trace it on the walls..... well if it was good enough for Michelangelo....

That's a toughie. 

The main difference between paintings and trompes l'oeil  is: 

All trompes  should be painted from the eye level and position of the onlooker (not the Artist); that is the  horizon and vanishing point of your picture. 

Every object, however flat has a thickness and should be painted with the horizon in mind.

 

 

 

Aerial perspective  

Adjusting the hues and muting the contrast to convey distance. In other words,

 

Cool colours recede

Warm colours advance

 

Italian for Light (chiaro) & Shade (oscuro). The craft of making an object appear 3D.

All objects have, in order of brightness;

Highlight,   Mid-tone,   reflected light,   shadow   and cast shadow.

Shadows and highlights should always come from the real light source (as well as the painted one).

Don't get bogged down with microscopic detail- throw away those 00000 Sable brushes!

Remember that trompes only look good from one angle- so go for corners rather than the middle of a wall

Ask yourself is the viewer going to be sitting down or standing when admiring your work? this changes the eye level.

Go-on, Give it a go!

If it doesn't work....paint it out quick....that's what I do!

 

Good luck

Let me know 

how you get on.

 

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