Rating: 
Summary: Great for someone who's already an artist...
Review: ...While the murals in this book are absolutely gorgeous, they are very advanced. There's a lot of info on perspective, how to get it right, etc., and that chapter is golden. However, the how-to's on the actual painting, I feel, is lacking. The author paints movie sets for a living, if that gives you an idea of her skill level. I'm afraid I will shelve this book and pull it out only for inspiration, as it's not going to be something I can use as a reference other than to look at the paintings. A fabulous book for advanced mural-painters or artists looking for a new canvas, but too advanced for a beginner or intermediate.
Rating:
Summary: Great for someone who's already an artist...
Review: ...While the murals in this book are absolutely gorgeous, they are very advanced. There's a lot of info on perspective, how to get it right, etc., and that chapter is golden. However, the how-to's on the actual painting, I feel, is lacking. The author paints movie sets for a living, if that gives you an idea of her skill level. I'm afraid I will shelve this book and pull it out only for inspiration, as it's not going to be something I can use as a reference other than to look at the paintings. A fabulous book for advanced mural-painters or artists looking for a new canvas, but too advanced for a beginner or intermediate.
Rating: 
Summary: Utterly disappointing
Review: A complete disappointment for the experienced artist - absolutely uninspiring as well. The projects are very basic and dull in content. I based my purchase on other reviews - there has to be better than this available! If you can't paint it may be ok - if you can, buy another book.
Rating: 
Summary: This Book is a Fabulous Exercise for All Artists
Review: After reading countless books on the art of Trompe L'oeil, I just can't speak highly enough of this one. This book is marvelous! Ms. Shearer uses easy-to-understand steps and does a terrific job of giving hints to those of us trying to improve our perspective and other techniques in making our murals more realistic. Most importantly, it gives tips that assume anyone can paint, yet it doesn't assume you are in Kindergarten! I think this is the most comprehensive and easy-to-follow book ever written on the subject, and the talent she shares can improve any artist's murals - from beginner to the top professionals.
Rating:
Summary: This Book is a Fabulous Exercise for All Artists
Review: After reading countless books on the art of Trompe L'oeil, I just can't speak highly enough of this one. This book is marvelous! Ms. Shearer uses easy-to-understand steps and does a terrific job of giving hints to those of us trying to improve our perspective and other techniques in making our murals more realistic. Most importantly, it gives tips that assume anyone can paint, yet it doesn't assume you are in Kindergarten! I think this is the most comprehensive and easy-to-follow book ever written on the subject, and the talent she shares can improve any artist's murals - from beginner to the top professionals.
Rating:
Summary: The Art of Illusion
Review: I cannot rate this book as I do not feel qualified. I was looking for something much more simple - very, very simple. This was to advanced for me such as the murals and En Grisaille technique etc. I do not feel it is for the beginner, but thats me - what do I know. (I am not looking to have my review posted, I just wanted to expess my views, however I will give it 5 stars as my message does not go through without a rating.)
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: 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.
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