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!
Date Published 9/2/2004
Ratings
Rated By: Scottish redhead
From: Norman, OK
Rating:
Comments: Awesome book 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.
Rated By: Sonya "readaholic"
From: Dallas, TX
Rating:
Comments: Mouth Droppingly Beautiful 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.
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:
