Customer Reviews

Painting Murals Fast & Easy

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

 

 

This book can be useful for both beginning muralists and those with more experience.

1 - Beginners: For someone wanting to paint a mural in their child's bedroom, for example, the techniques in this book are ideal - and will easily achieve excellent results. It is even possible to involve the child in some of the simpler methods - if say, between age 6 and 13.

2 - Experienced painters: Before seeing this book, I had already used some of the sponging techniques in my own murals, i.e. to create a soft cirrus cloud haze, or the spray from breaking waves. (It is important to note that there are many different sponges, and natural sponges give very different effects depending on which side you use.) Where details are required, these can be added using brushes of various shapes and sizes as well as various media to achieve the desired effect. It was helpful to match the method of application to the effect wanted, and not be limited by traditional tools.

It is not a modern innovation to experiment with materials on hand, including household utensils and ingredients. After all, the old masters tried many different tools and techniques, no doubt raiding the cook's kitchen for their purposes! (From where else did we get egg tempera?)

I can definitely recommend this book, alongside the likes of Jean Dyrsdale Green's "Arteffects" - which includes sponging techniques using other materials (such as crumpled newspaper or a scrunched up length of masking tape.) Painting Murals Fast and Easy can be a great stimulus for the innovative artist.

The mural examples in this book are really crudely done (as you could expect when using sponges to paint with). I wouldn't want to duplicate any of the paintings shown on this book. If you have any talent for painting at all, stay away from this book. There are many better books on mural painting.

I got this book because it seemed interesting, but I really don't care for it. For me, the paintings aren't detailed enough. You can't get a lot of little detail with a sponge. Sure, sponges can be used for some parts of a painting, but not for the whole thing if you want a lot of detail. It's the little details that make a painting more interesting to look at.

This is one of those instances when shopping for a book in person is better than ordering over the net--if I'd been able to see it in person, I wouldn't have wasted my money. If you are a beginning painter, this book is for you. Very simple techniques, run-of-the-mill results. But if you're looking for something unique, something that would be classified as "art," this is not the book to buy. I have to say, out of the 3 mural books I purchased that day, the other 2 were awesome, so 2 out of 3 ain't bad. Like I said, if you're just starting to paint, this book could be helpful. But if you're looking for inspiration to go on to the next level, don't bother.

I loved the murals and the book. This book opened my eyes to so many possibilities.