Customer Reviews

The Painted Ceiling: Over 100 Original Designs and Details

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this book on the basis of some of the glowing reviews here but was very disappointed. Yes, his paintings are beautiful, BUT his advice is mainly on how he makes HIS work. There is a chapter entitled 'Practical Aspects', but it has only ONE page of actual text! The rest are more pictures of the same work.

If angels, clouds, and birds are not what you aspire to paint exclusively, then stay away from this book. If you are buying a book solely for inspiration, as I was, a better choice is a book featuring the work of many artists such as 'Trompe L'loeil' by Lynette Wrigley. If your aim though is to paint like Graham Rust, this book is it.

Graham Rust is a renowned artist known internationally for his murals and ceiling paintings. This is my first chance to review his work in print, and I have to say, it was really, really hard to put the book down. I found myself reacting out loud to each piece of work as I turned pages, causing those around me to come see what it was.

What could cause such commotion you ask? It's a coffee-size hardcover with not only pictures of a finished product on a ceiling or wall, but how-to and advice for each beautiful design. Readers can expect a little of everything in Painted Ceiling. The book begins with different types of skies and goes into developing the theme, designs for smaller ceilings, and garden structures and talks about being practical, preparing the ceiling, and what to expect.

All the pictures are beautiful and each would be considered my favorite to try out, but if I had to pick one, it would be Eclipse Sky on page 27, showing the night sky with its stars and planets.

I bought this book to get ideas to paint my ceilings. Basically it was pretty much the same thing over and over again, with slight variations. Not at all what I was looking for!

If you are looking to be inspired, this is the book. I am a muralist who is looking for something extraordinary to aspire to. I found it here. This is not a how to book for the meek. If you can paint well already you can learn to improve your own work by careful study of the renderings but you won't find instructions.

If ever there was a book that completely thrilled my senses, this was it!! From the moment I received this book, I was so in awe of Grahams artwork and techniques. I really can't get enough of his books. I also have The Painted House which has become my most favorite reference book for my work. I am a muralist and decorative finish artist which is why I am always scouring the books for references at Amazon. Out of all books that I have ordered, Graham Rust is the best. I can't imagine anyone not falling in love with his works.

As a professional mural painter, I found some of the ideas in this book to be inspiring. However much that was written in the book was useless information describing what you are seeing in the picture. This is not an instruction book. As for his artistic style, I really didn't care for it - his use of color seems rather Disney-esque. Everything is bright and vibrant without much richness and depth. While the creatures he paints look decent, his cherubs and people leave a lot to be desired.

This book was usefull for me in the aspects of seeing how another artist does his layout, but if you're looking for a book to study murals and color use... study the paintings done by the real masters.

I found this book at the library and after a quick leaf through, bought it as a Christmas gift. The recipient is not a professional muralist; neither of us will learn much about HOW to paint ceilings like this from Graham's book.

The book shows five or six pictures of "abstract" (almost) ceilings that I expect my friend would be able to roughly copy.

Mostly, I am giving it because it will be an idea generator. I haven't encountered ceilings like this since I visited Russian palaces. I had never thought of painting ceilings to that level of detail. Pretty sure it's been years since the recipient has seen ceilings like some of the ones shown in the book.

For the purposes of suggesting ideas for a tray ceiling in an oversized master bedroom, this book works perfectly.

This book is chock full of beautiful painted ceilings using trompe l'oeil. There are no instructional references.

i pull this book out all the time. love it gives amazing ideas. I also love the ceiling in The House that Faux Built.The House That Faux Built