Trompe L’Oeil Today

Ursula E. and Martin Benad

Overview - Table of Contents

CONTENTS

1. Contemporary Trompe L’Oeil 7

About This Book 7
Pros and Cons 9
Client and Artist 13

2. Using Trompe L’Oeil Painting 19

Four Categories 19
Are There Traditional Models? 21
Functions? 23
A Picture That Does Everything 29

3. Inspiration from Antiquity 31

Timelessly Modern 31
First Style 32
Second Style 32
Third Style 33
Fourth Style 34
The Surreal as a Design Element 35
Sweet Decadence 39

4. From Crocodile to Corrugated Tin: The Imitation of Materials 41

The Art of the Faux Finish: How to Improve on Reality 41
Marble and Wood 44
Snakeskin, Elephant-hide, and Corrugated Tin 46
Tiles and Mosaic 50
Wallpapers, Drapes, and Carpets 51
Summary: Faux Finishes Today 53

5. A World of Light and Shadow: Grisaille 55

It’s the Form That Counts 55
Light and Shadow, Bright and Dark 56
Imaginary Moldings and Architectural Elements 57
Low Reliefs, Busts, and Statuary 60
Elegance and Understatement 62
Overview: Grisaille Today 64

6. Niche Paintings: Small-format Trompe L’Oeil 67

The Art of Self-Imitation 67
Formal Criteria 68
Content Criteria 71
Summary: Big Effects in Small Spaces 75

7. A Room Without Borders: Painting in Panoramic Format 79

Inside and Outside 79
Creating Depth with Color and Line 82
Volume: Light and Dark 84
Distant Views: Proportion and Composition 88
Conclusion: Opening the Wall¾Suggesting Space 93

8. Your Point of View: Perspective 95

The Art of Seeing Through 95
With the Eye of the Spirit 99
The Geometry of Real Space and its Continuation in the Picture 101
Mobile Viewers and Picture Design 102
Conclusion: Best Uses of Perspective 105

9. Materials and Techniques 109

The Fresco Technique 109
Mineral Colors 111
Casein Paints 111
Tempera Paints 112
Acrylic Paints 112
Tints and Emulsion Paints 113
Oil Paints 113
Airbrushing 113
Portable Surfaces 114
Industrial Production Methods 115

10. The Psychology of Deception 117

Illusionistic Painting: Art and Life 117
Murals and Photographic Wallpaper 120
Imitation, Representation, or Creation? 121
From Perception to Participation 122
The Secret Presence of the Artist 124

Conclusion 125
Bibliography 125
List of Artists 128

ISBN: 0-393-73130-8
Winter 2004
128 pages, cloth, 180 color illus.