Customer Reviews

The Art of Trompe L'oeil Murals

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I ordered this book, hoping to gain insight into the "art of trompe l' oeil" as suggested by the title. Instead I found myself bored with a book full of the same looking gaudy murals and images, with the same drab earthy palettes for each one. The "how to's" and I use that phrase lightly, are nearly nonexistence, except for the last 15 pages - which basically demonstrate the same faux stone relief technique, only using different motifs. I found this very useless! It almost feels as if the "how to's" were an after thought, or thrown in to fill the pages. Purchasing this book, with the understanding of it being a "how to", instructional guide to trompe l'oeil painting - I found it extremely dissapointing! Though the artist's work is OK, there was nothing new revealed here that isn't thoroughly covered in Grahm Rust's marvelous books, which I highly reccomend. Rust is an obvious matured muralist who graciously reveals his inspirations and knowledge on the subject with elegance.

This is a very nice coffee table book, and for a beginning art novice there are some "secrets". But, for artist with general high school level education this is little more than a nice picture book.
There is no discounting Yves Lanthier's skill or excellent creative ability but the few tips he gives are not for creating the Trompe L'oeil ceilings he exhibits in the book. Rather he shows simple stone / marble technique, a basic wall effect and basic light shading in the last fifteen pages of the book.
This is not a book the speaks to basic line and eye illusion of ceiling depth which I was looking for.

This is a great book for those are interested in the pictures of the artwork. The artist has written this, and I found it a pleasure to read, as he doesnt take himself seriously like some others.
Book shows his Trompe paintings in some of the most glamorous homes in the U.S, so if you want inspiration for the middle class home, this may not be the best book for you (unless you have arched hallways and domes in your entrance foyer!) Most of the art is Marble and Stone looking work, as well as ornate plasters and a few landscape scenes. Also there are a couple of before and after shots.
There are four little easy to follow tutorials at the end for those inspired. A great coffee table book!

I was very impressed wtih this book. Yves is an inspiration to anyone in this field. You will not be dissapointed in this book. Even if you are not a muralist - it is a truely beautiful book. Tracie

This is a wonderful book filled with incredible pictures, I am so please that the artist shared his artwork and secrets, what a great inspiration for anyone that want to follow their dreams!

Given the title The Art of Trompe L'oeil Murals, I thought this would be a more general, overarching book than it is. It is a collection of photos of the writer's portfolio of murals. They are done in rooms in which my entire house would fit, most often Palm Beach or some such moneyed locale. If you just want eye candy of a classical nature, this it. Otherwise, don't bother. Nothing to learn, really.

I was very impressed reading and viewing the book. It is an amazing book very well illustrated with many examples of this artist/writer artwork. I strongly recommend to anyone to read it either for pleasure or if you want to embellish a wall or ceiling.

There were lots of nice techniques in this book but found it a bit too "fancy" for me; not
for the every day painter or every day home.

This is like a printed gallery of works with huge photos. Truely inspiring stuff! The only insy winsy problem is some of the photos look like they were poor quality, then blown up to fit the page so they're a little fuzzy. But most of them are beautiful! What really blows my mind is this guy was self taught!!

I bought this book about a year ago and still one of the best books I've ever bought. I strong recommend it for people that really want to see and have a little bit knowledge base about Trompe L'oeil. Astonishing art work with amazing inspirations of real trompe l'oeil even sketches, in the last pages of the book he demonstrates how to paint designs, transfer, basecoat,lights and shadows.Just the best.