Rating: 
Summary: Depth and Breadth for Serious Painters
Review: If you are really into painting this book is very cool. It gives you recipies and illustrations for many types of faux finishes. It doesn't just show you how to do wood. It explains the different cuts of wood, how they affect the grain patterns and then provides illustrated directions for about a dozen different exotic woods. Same with marble, semi-precious stone and many other materials.This is too much information for the beginner or the casual crafts person, but if you are the type of person who wants to know the difference between French and Italian faux finishes, this is the book. A comprehensive and in depth study. One of my painting bibles.
Rating:
Summary: Recommended by Artistic Finishes LLC of Milwaukee
Review: Professional faux finishers and decorative artists take note! This book is a must have!
Finkelstein clearly outlines recipes & techniques used in the industry, and yes, for those of us who are visual, you'll enjoy the quantity of pictures that accompany it all... a "keeper".
Rating:
Summary: very detailed instruction
Review: The book has good learning steps and ample pictures, however, it is not a "complete" faux finishing book. I am a college student who is majoring in faux finishing and I will admit that it is a good book that teaches numerous projects other books tend to forget. It mainly contains marble, stone, and tile finishes. It does not contain simple things like color wash, dragging, sponging, ragging, and etc. So to the new faux finisher it contains some hard steps that without the basics first will be complicated. But to the experienced faux finisher the book is a great guide and I truly love it.
Rating: 
Summary: A good source book, but not complete
Review: The book has good learning steps and ample pictures, however, it is not a "complete" faux finishing book. I am a college student who is majoring in faux finishing and I will admit that it is a good book that teaches numerous projects other books tend to forget. It mainly contains marble, stone, and tile finishes. It does not contain simple things like color wash, dragging, sponging, ragging, and etc. So to the new faux finisher it contains some hard steps that without the basics first will be complicated. But to the experienced faux finisher the book is a great guide and I truly love it.
Rating:
Summary: very detailed instruction
Review: This book has extremely detailed instructions on how to paint almost any type of faux finish. In addition, the author provides an itemized list of supplies needed for both oil and water based finishes. The book has step by step instructions as well as multitudinous photographs rather than illustrations of the products used or the techniques described. I'd refer to this as a textbook or a manual rather than a "how-to" book.
Rating:
Summary: Finally an artist/author who can teach
Review: This book is well worth the money. After many attempts at the marbling techniques with the other decorative painting books, I finally rated my wall as superb. It was easy, fun, and well organized because the author, Mr. Finkelstein, knows that there are other people who really like to use oil paints. His instructions include both acrylic and oil methods. The illustrations are great reference sheets for scanning, projecting, etc., but these aren't necessary since his style of teaching is flawless.
Rating:
Summary: add to your bookshelf
Review: This is one of the best and most thorough books on faux finishing, in the traditional sense, now available on the market. It should be on your shelf alongside PROFESSIONAL PAINTED FINISHES by Marx, FOLK FINISHES by Teles, and DECORATIVE FURNITURE FINISHES WITH VINEGAR PAINT by Russell. In fact, check out the others and add them to your collection of sources while visiting AMAZON as your local bookseller probably will not have them. I would also recommend this book for scenic designers/painters as a basis to your artwork and jumping off point for your creativity. Once you have these basics, all excellently illustrated, you will be able to do just about anything.
Rating:
Summary: the best faux finishing book available
Review: This is the best book available on techniques and step-by-step procedures. The materials needed are available at any quality paint store. Other books have materials impossible to find in the states.
Rating:
Summary: Most comprehensive faux guide, beautiful finishes
Review: This is the most complete guide to faux painting I have found. There are excellent step-by-step instructions accompanied by full-color photos for each technique. Materials needed, exercises & difficulty ratings are also included. The book starts teaching the basics of paint properties & color mixing. I was very impressed with the section on painting tools & bushes. It includes a photo, a complete description & the proper holding method for each item. Next, glaze application, surface preparation & finishing coat techniques are demonstrated. A vast array of beautiful & impressive faux techniques follow. My favorites were the red tortoiseshell tile & mosaic effects. This author is obviously very knowledgeable & I really appreciated the time she took to share her experiences, explaining everything in detail. The resource list is also a nice bonus. I highly recommend this book to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Most comprehensive faux guide, beautiful finishes
Review: This is the most complete guide to faux painting I have found. There are excellent step-by-step instructions accompanied by full-color photos for each technique. Materials needed, exercises & difficulty ratings are also included. The book starts teaching the basics of paint properties & color mixing. I was very impressed with the section on painting tools & bushes. It includes a photo, a complete description & the proper holding method for each item. Next, glaze application, surface preparation & finishing coat techniques are demonstrated. A vast array of beautiful & impressive faux techniques follow. My favorites were the red tortoiseshell tile & mosaic effects. This author is obviously very knowledgeable & I really appreciated the time she took to share her experiences, explaining everything in detail. The resource list is also a nice bonus. I highly recommend this book to anyone.
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