Painted Illusions: Create Stunning Trompe L'Oeil Effects with Stencils

An excellent resource for do-it-yourselfers. Very creative but with the detailed instructions, fairly easy to replicate. I am so glad that I purchased it.

The instructions are highly detailed and eminently reproducible by anyone with attention to detail. The vast majority of books like this are based on freehand artistic abilities. This book is different. It teaches how to get stunning results for the typical person. Best in class, no question about it!

The thing that makes this book great, is that Royals tells you the exact type and name brand of paints to purchase in order to achieve these effects. Showing a color of a "tan" may not be the color you need to achieve certain results, because there are several tans. She shows you the stencils used and takes you step by step. It helps to know a little about shading and highlighting to get the results you're after. Very,very happy with this book. Great price also.

This is my first book by this author and I was blown away. I am not a big fan of the folk-art type of decor BUT there are only a couple of examples of that style in this book. The remainder designs would rival Debbie Travis'. Where do I start? Her freeform stencil of the grapevines and scrolls is one of the prettiest examples of layering of stencils. I think why I like her is that it's MUCH MORE realistic looking than most of the stencil art out there. I think it must be her technique. My favorite part of the book is from chapter 3 to the end of the book. The photos are great in showing how to do each step. A lot of embossing and faux fabric techniques that look exactly like damask and other patterned fabric. It is really amazing. Now don't get me wrong, I did not like every wall in this book. The Batik was not for me, only because it looked too "country" for my taste, but again, the technique could be used for a different design. The Oriental Brocade was a little too much for me. This author got it right in how to demonstrate the steps. They are all numbered in order and the pictures clearly demonstrate the technique. She even has a technique that looks like crewel embroidery. To me, the best techniques in the book were: ~Embossed Leather - looks so real. I think I am going to try it in my husband's study ~Decorative Carved Dado - it REALLY looks carved ~Faux Stone Tile ~Carved Stone Frieze ~Velvet Embossing ~Printed Linen ~Damask - done is a beautiful tone-on-tone ~Shimmering Silk If I had just looked at the pictures, I would have said, "How beautiful! Wish I could do that," but with the explicit details and instructions, I really think I can. Well worth the money and I plan on looking up more of this auhor's books.

I have one of this author's previous books and I loved it. This book has some awesome ideas for authentic looking finishes using stencils. I am amazed at how great these finishes look and can't wait to try my hand at them.