Painting, painting on the wall

A beautiful painting on the wall can transform a room from mundane to spectacular. You can choose an image that will reflect any place or time period.

by Joy Abrams — 

An exciting, ancient form of design is making a comeback on the walls of many homes, offices and restaurants today. Called trompe l’oeil, this art technique involves painted imagery that gives the depicted objects a three-dimensional appearance. Wall paintings are very popular today.

Trompe l’oeil, pronounced “trump loy,” is a French term, meaning to deceive or trick the eye. This optical illusion may involve simple or complex subject matter, but is designed to draw the viewer in so that she wants to look at the painting again and again.

This form of painting was originally introduced by the French in approximately 400 B.C. It was not used during the Middle Ages, but was popularized during the Italian Renaissance. During that time, artisans made two-dimensional paintings seem three-dimensional. The subject matter could be as complex as a walkway through a beautiful garden in Venice or as simple as bamboo shooting up a wall.

Paintings of architectural features, such as columns, pillars and archways, were often used during the Italian Renaissance. Many homeowners of that era chose this type of art because it was less expensive than actual paintings or architectural features, while still being pleasing to the eye. The paintings became conversational pieces, as well as giving the impression of wealth and abundance.

If you are considering painting your wall with trompe l’oeil objects, consider the following tips:

• Be aware of the scale of the other objects in your room, and make sure that your wall painting relates to the sizes of your objects.
• A trump l’oeil has to be viewed from a certain perspective for the effect to be perceived.
• If your painting contains objects, they must be within the confines of the piece on the wall. The mural or painting must be viewed as a whole.
• The subject matter of your painting on the wall should make sense.

A beautiful painting on the wall can transform a room from mundane to spectacular. You can choose an image that will reflect any place or time period — only a talented painter is required. The possibilities are exciting, endless and only a stroke away.

Joy Abrams served on the board and the teaching faculty of the Feng Shui Institute International. Her design seminars give A.S.I.D. credits to designers. She also teaches courses at local colleges in the Phoenix and Paradise Valley, Ariz. areas. 602-791-5223, www.aaafengshuiandyoga.com or www.empowermentwithjoy.com.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 29, Number 4, Aug/Sept 2010.