trompe l'oeil

Trompe L'oeil

French for "trick the eye" from tromper - to deceive and l'œil - the eye

Realism Scale Light and shade Perspective Humour Style Deception Simplicity

Ludger tom Ring the YoungerOpen Missal, c. 1570

oil on oak panel

High BaroqueNote use of columns to recede and figures to soften the recession and provide sense of space

Detail. Fluency in perspective and tone is essential to fully express space and form

Mantagna. Note the use of colour and content here

Trick of the eye need not always be on a large scale

A degree A degree of realism of realism with drop with drop shadowsshadows

Key light source is from this direction into the canvas.This displays good observation, a key part of art training.

It often helps to look through something.

In this case a curtain

Note the direction of the key light and the reflected light on the columns

Change and Interact with the Environment

First paint the entire structure in a medium tone

Interact with the public

Julian Beever

These examples can only be 'seen' through a single viewpoint like a camera lens

Horizon line

What is needed

The ideaThe SkillsIf you have the idea write down

what skills you may need

If you have all the skills write down how you may get the idea.

Simple idea well executedJulian Beever

Knowledge of perspective

Required Geometry

Establishing a clearly defined key light and control of tones is important

The EndThe next course will look at how to set up a simple example and then look at

wall sized project.

This is for educational use only

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