Trompe l’oeil is a French phrase that literally means “fool the eye.” In decorative painting, trompe l’oeil techniques use the interplay between light and shadow to create an illusion of dimension and depth. Trompe l’oeil techniques are only used to depict inanimate or stationary objects such as architectural details and still lifes. There are six […]
Fluting
July 31, 2013 by Leave a Comment
If you sliced a flute in half, lengthwise, you basically have the shape of fluting. This shallow, concave, repeat vertical pattern is found on columns, pilasters, and millwork. Painting the illusion of fluting on a flat surface, using trompe l’oeil techniques, is a challenging exercise. The soft shadow placement demands a good understanding of how […]
Oeil de boeuf
May 31, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Oeil de boeuf: in English, “eye of the steer”, “bull’s eye”, “ox eye” – these are all common translations. This architectural detail is defined as a small, round or oval window. Furthermore, it is usually placed in an attic space. Today, this style of window is seen all over the world, but it originated in […]
Egg and Dart
October 5, 2012 by 1 Comment
Egg and Dart is a popular ornamental pattern consisting of an egg and dart shape alternating. It was often carved out of stone, wood, or plaster. This pattern is found in Ancient Greek architecture and was used by the Romans. This classical antiquity was commonly copied in the 16th and early 17th centuries. Then, it […]
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