Trompe L'oeil Stenciling [Hardcover]

Jocelyn Kerr Holding (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 12, 1999

Through shadow and light, a stenciled painting can look almost real--with texture, gradations of color, and a 3-D quality that fools the eye. Unlike freehand trompe l'oeil, stenciling is easy to learn, so beginners get great results with little practice. Trace and cut stencils with bridges, or multi-step ones that break down each element in the drawing. Begin with simpler designs--a pleated fan, perhaps--that teach shading skills, and then see how to capture the delicate tones of a perfect rose. Over 35 projects. 160 pages (all in color), 7 5/8 x 10 1/4. NEW IN PAPERBACK

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Freehand trompe l'oeil can be quite a challenging undertaking, but using stencils to achieve a similar effect makes the process more approachable. Rounded or dimensional forms can be made to look quite convincing with the right shading and color gradations, and the use of multiple overlays facilitates a more three-dimensional look than does single-step stenciling. Unfortunately, this book is a fairly dull presentation on what could be an exciting and lively technique. The author explains some basic stenciling principles, with brief discussions of cutting and coloring multistep stencils, then offers a series of "projects" that are in fact not step-by-step directions but more general coverage of how to paint such standard fare as bowls of fruit, candlesticks, trailing vines, plates on shelves, and architectonic motifs. Her colors are often either too muddy or a bit garish, and her renderings frequently unconvincing. And although each finished design is illustrated in color, it simply floats on the page, rather than in some context of a room or a piece of furniture, leaving readers entirely on their own to imagine how to transplant the images off the page and into their homes. --Amy Handy

From Library Journal

Jennings surveys a broad variety of media, from charcoal to pastels, watercolor, gouache, oils, and more, and he relies on the advice and work of a large group of artists to help the beginner choose media, tools, and techniques. Unlike the authors of Art School, Jennings creates an actual curriculum here. Exercises that compare the same subject, e.g., a red-enameled coffeepot, painted in both acrylic and pastel, are enlightening. Very highly recommended.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (December 12, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806928514
• ISBN-13: 978-0806928517
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,120,763 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Good pics, terrible text, inadequate instructions, January 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Trompe L'oeil Stenciling (Hardcover)

In spite of the name of the author, this book does not seem to have been written by an English speaker. It appears to have been translated from Italian, judging by the frontispiece, and the translation is infuriatingly bad. (As is the 2nd book just out from this author.) The instructions are totally inadequate. People who can already paint/stencil can follow the pics which are good, but all in all I'd class this as a very sloppy effort. It really annoyed me.

5 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT!, June 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Trompe L'oeil Stenciling (Hardcover)

It is a book u would like to own. Contains step by step stencling instructions & very good illustrations too. Painting instructions like overlaying & many beautiful designs have been provided in the back of the book. THis book has also covered the 3D stenciling with attractive designs & innovative ideas. U can just paint every where u want to.