Resources and Links – Clicking the links will bring you to valuable resources for decorative painting and beyond:
There are many how to books out there, but The Deceptions & Illusions, Five Centuries of Trompe l’Oeil Painting, is one of the most comprehensive books published on this subject. It “teaches” trompe l’oeil by examples through art history. It contains the exhibition catalogue for the National Gallery of Art exhibition in 2002 and its 407 pages and over 100, full size, artists’ plate images are sure to captivate and inspire. It’s extremely informative and an invaluable resource for the professional muralist as well as any avid art lover, making it well worth the booksellers’ $85 (used) to $150 price tag.
The House That Faux Built is not only a book but a project involving over 100 decorative artists, who used their talents with decorative and faux finishes as well as trompe l’oeil and murals to transform a dilapidated Arlington, VA town home into an incredible show place. The project is was a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Learn more about the project through the book, which is is a great resource for any do-it-yourselfer or artist. Learn about our artistic contribution to the project.
This Learn to Faux website is a one stop resource for locating decorative artists, learning and asking about decorative finishes (for both beginners and professional painters), taking classes and buying supplies, viewing the world’s most talented decorative artists, and getting inspiration from all the incredible artwork featured each month and in the gallery and on the individual artist’s profiles.
Founded in 1984, the International Decorative Artisans League (IDAL) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the art of stenciling and related decorative painting. IDAL consists of artisans, businesses and educators that provides inspiration, public awareness and member growth through education, philanthropy and preservation of the decorative arts. Membership provides opportunities for artistic and professional growth through education, certification, public awareness and networking.