This document discusses the art technique of trompe l'oeil, which means "trick the eye" in French. It aims to create very realistic images through the use of perspective, light and shade, scale, and other techniques. Some key aspects covered include: - Trompe l'oeil uses techniques like perspective, scale, light and shadows to create the illusion of three dimensions on a flat surface and deceive the eye. - It provides examples from artists like Ludger tom Ring the Younger and Mantagna to illustrate techniques like the use of columns to create a sense of space through recession. - Even small-scale trompe l'oeil works can trick

1. Trompe L'oeil

2. French for "trick the eye" from tromper - to
deceive and l'œil - the eye

Realism

Scale

Light and shade

Perspective

Humour

Style

Deception

Simplicity

3. Ludger tom Ring the Younger
Open Missal, c. 1570
oil on oak panel

4. High Baroque
Note use of columns to recede and figures to soften the recession and provide sense of space

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

6. Mantagna. Note the use of colour and content here

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

9. A degree
of realism
with drop
shadows
Key light source
is from this
direction into
the canvas.
This displays
good
observation, a
key part of art
training.

10. 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

11. Change and Interact with the Environment
First paint the entire structure
in a medium tone

12. Interact with the public
Julian Beever
These examples can
only be 'seen' through
a single viewpoint like
a camera lens

13. Horizon line

14. What is needed
The idea
If you have the idea write down The Skills
what skills you may need
If you have all the skills
write down how you may
get the idea.

15. Julian Beever
Simple idea well executed

16. Knowledge of perspective

17. Required Geometry

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

19. The End
The 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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