Rating: 
Summary: Wow
Review: I hadn't painted for 23 years before buying this book. I have painted 3 murals that look wonderful by using Janet Shearer's methods. I love this book.
Rating:
Summary: My best friend
Review: I just finished a 55 sq. ft. mural, (my third large one) and I took Jane Shearer's book with me every day for reference and technical support. Her wonderful color brews and sensible methods helped me make this my most successful project yet. This book is for people with some experience in painting and composition. Thanks, Jane.
Rating:
Summary: My best friend
Review: I just finished a 55 sq. ft. mural, (my third large one) and I took Jane Shearer's book with me every day for reference and technical support. Her wonderful color brews and sensible methods helped me make this my most successful project yet. This book is for people with some experience in painting and composition. Thanks, Jane.
Rating:
Summary: Teaching a complicated process with simplicity
Review: I wouldn't call this just a book. It's more of an illustrated guide to walk you through each step of the creative and production process of creating a trompe l'oeil mural or design. Even for the accomplished artist, this guide has tricks of the trade that others may not know about. I found the text very readable and felt Janet Shearer and her editors had the end-user's need for simplicity and uncomplicated visuals in mind to get the concepts across, especially perspective. I really appreciate and enjoyed learning with this guide.
Rating:
Summary: It is the most complete book I found for getting started.
Review: Some reviews say the book is to advanced and some reviews say it is not advanced enough. If you're looking for a book to teach you basic brush strokes and how to paint, this is not the book for you, some knowledge is required. If you have some painting skills and want to take it to a new level and paint murals, I found the book very helpful. I had very little painting experience but wanted to do a full room mural for my daughter's room. I searched and searched and could not find a book that met my needs. I got through it and did pretty good guesswork on the perspective but watching how items changed as I moved them around the room. This book would have been extremely helpful and saved me a lot of time and effort if I had it then. Even though I had finished that mural I bought this and it has been very helpful in doing my second mural which is far more complicated.She covers several ways of doing things and gives tips on each technique such as how to transfer you plans to the wall. She covers all the basics: planning out the project, perspective, how to handle shadows, how to achieve depth and distance in background elements and the use of color. She talks about lots of tools and how to use them for different affects and what to do if you don't have them or want to invest in them. I loved the examples and she had a good mix of projects in both complexity and range of styles. She explained how she got all the details in a simpler piece and showed some more complex ones later. I found her writing style and the details easy to follow and very informative. The book does not cover it all. It doesn't contain how to information for different faux finishes such as stone or brick or every detail of her examples. It does give the basic techniques use to create different affects used in her examples. I cannot speak for the experienced artist, but for me it has been a valued addition to my library. I found the information and exercises very helpful. I have recommended the book to others who have been interested doing what I have done.
Rating:
Summary: It is the most complete book I found for getting started.
Review: The book was a great book. Very detailed in explanation and diagram of projects to be done.
Rating:
Summary: The ARt of Illusion: A Trompe L'Oeil Painting Course
Review: The book was a great book. Very detailed in explanation and diagram of projects to be done.
Rating:
Summary: The Art of Illusion
Review: This book is a treat. In addition to the beautiful work which one immediately would like to copy, the author gives some basic details. Her color mixing pages are excellent and I wish there were more of them. I was also very pleased with the explanation of perspectives which can be tricky for someone who paints but doesn't draw well. Definitely a library keeper.
Rating:
Summary: From basics to great detail
Review: This book is a treat. In addition to the beautiful work which one immediately would like to copy, the author gives some basic details. Her color mixing pages are excellent and I wish there were more of them. I was also very pleased with the explanation of perspectives which can be tricky for someone who paints but doesn't draw well. Definitely a library keeper.
Rating:
Summary: For anyone serious about becoming a trompe loeil artist!
Review: This book is the answer to my prayers! I own many books on murals, trompe loeil, acrylic paint techniques, etc. and nothing compares to what I have learned from this book. It's just like going to school to learn these techniques (which I have, by the way). I could have saved myself alot of time and money if I knew that this book was coming out. It covers everything, from colors to use, equipment, brushes, perspective, and paint techniques to how to plan out a trompe loeil mural. It's about time someone wrote a book that doesn't hold back any secrets. I had many questions even after taking a week long class and I think this book has answered all of them. If you are serious about becoming a trompe loeil artist (which I am) or you just want to learn the right way to do a trompe loeil mural in your home, this is the book for you. There are many photos of wonderful murals the author has done with step-by-step instructions. Have fun.
| 
