The Art of Faux: The Complete Sourcebook of Decorative Painted Finishes (Crafts Highlights) [Unabridged] [Paperback]

Pierre Finkelstein (Author)

Book Description

Series: Crafts Highlights | Publication Date: June 1, 1997

This collection of show-and-tell recipes includes a marvelous range of surfaces, paints, tools, and procedures for both beginners and professionals.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Aimed at professionals and dedicated amateurs, The Art of Faux is packed with gorgeous examples of faux finishes. Internationally acclaimed, award-winning decorative painter and instructor Pierre Finkelstein covers every aspect of the art form in tremendous detail, beginning with extensive specifics on all tools, materials, supplies, and planning, and including preparation and cleanup considerations. Each of the other 10 chapters concentrates on a wide variety of faux finishes in different categories: marble, semiprecious stone, limestone and sandstone, wood, patinas and textures, metals and gilding, tile, organic materials (such as ivory, leather, and mother-of-pearl), stenciling, and trompe l'oeil. There are even instructions for uncommon faux finishes, such as bamboo, Delft tile, snakeskin, and damask, that are not generally taught in other books on the subject. Every finish is presented as a complete recipe, and the list of ingredients includes not only paints, glazes, and tools, but also difficulty ratings and lists of preparatory exercises for techniques that are part of the complete finish. People seriously involved in any aspect of faux finishing--particularly people considering careers in the field--should invest in the information-packed The Art of Faux.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823008584
• ISBN-13: 978-0823008582
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.8 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #254,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Interior Design > Painting & Wallpapering

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

105 of 105 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most comprehensive faux guide, beautiful finishes, January 2, 2000

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Art of Faux: The Complete Sourcebook of Decorative Painted Finishes (Crafts Highlights) (Paperback)

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.

102 of 103 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the only book you will need to learn faux finishes, February 15, 2001

By 

Jeanne Marie Dauray (Northern Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Faux: The Complete Sourcebook of Decorative Painted Finishes (Crafts Highlights) (Paperback)

After looking through well over a dozen different and popular books on fauz painting/faux finishes this was the only one that was worth purchasing. It is the most complete guide that anyone could find in my opinion. Pierre covers just about every finish imagineable (glazing, crackle, colorwash, patina, sponging on and off, several faux marbling and wood finish techniques, as well as many others). As each finish is covered there is always a complete list of materials, step by step instructions, and pictures of those steps as well as a finished product to help you guide your way. The book also shows finished rooms that are breath takingly beautiful and that fully illustrate the possibilities that lie before you. Additionally, there is information in regards to taking classes with Pierre Finkelstein in New York City as well as the ability to order the supplies through the Pierre Finkelstein Institute (though it is unnecessary since the supplies can be purchased through most art supply stores). In summary this book is just so wonderfully comprehenive and such a great asset that I would recommend it to anyone, beginner or advanced.

68 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My best buy ever in faux finishes books, February 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Art of Faux: The Complete Sourcebook of Decorative Painted Finishes (Crafts Highlights) (Paperback)

Fantastic pictures, wide range of very well-explained step-by-step techniques (marbles, woods, stencil, grisaille, etc).

What I loved most (as a self-taught beginner): 1) The "techniques exercises" at the beginning of the marble/wood chapters, which allow you to gain confidence before you start following the step-by-step instructions and, most important thing, prevent you from creating "horrible looking" marbles or woods, 2) the discovery of the frisket adhesive film for the "pietre dure", 3) the chapter of materials and how you should take care of them (the author provides very clear and detailed information on this) and 4) the veining and line drawings at the end of the book, to be used as reference material.