Trompe l’oeil

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.

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THE 6 CATEGORIES

There are six basic categories of trompe l’oeil painting. Regardless of the type, trompe l’oeil can be either monochromatic, in which several values of one principle color are used; or polychromatic, in which subjects are rendered in several different colors.

Faux Moldings
Grisaille
Polychrome Ornaments
Murals
Trompe l’oeil paintings
Trompe l’oeil marquetry

Faux Moldings, which are the most common type of trompe l’oeil include all manner of decorative architectural detail such as moldings, columns, niches, and bosses.

Grisaille, a French word that means “shades of gray,” is a technique in which several values of one color are used to model form. Traditionally as the term suggests, grays were traditionally used for this technique.

Polychrome Ornaments, employ the same three-dimensional painting techniques as traditional grisaille, but uses several colors to render what are usually more complex ornamental forms.

Murals, are large-scale trompe l’oeil compositions painted on facades ceilings, or interior walls that combine three dimensional architectural elements with landscapes and/or figures.

Trompe l’oeil paintings, are fine-art still lifes that incorporate trompe l’oeil techniques.

Faux Moulding

Faux Moldings, which are the most common type of trompe l’oeil include all manner of decorative architectural detail such as moldings, columns, niches, and bosses. (Trompe l’oeil by Pierre Finkelstein and GIDP)

Grisaille

Grisaille, a French word that means “shades of gray,” is a technique in which several values of one color are used to model form. Traditionally as the term suggests, grays were traditionally used for this technique. (Trompe l’oeil by Pierre Finkelstein)

Polychrome Ornaments

Polychrome Ornaments, employ the same three-dimensional painting techniques as traditional grisaille, but uses several colors to render what are usually more complex ornamental forms. (Trompe l’oeil by Pierre Finkelstein)

Murals

Murals, are large-scale trompe l’oeil compositions painted on facades ceilings, or interior walls that combine three dimensional architectural elements with landscapes and/or figures. (Trompe l’oeil by Pierre Finkelstein)

Trompe l’oeil Paintings

Trompe l’oeil paintings, are fine-art still lifes that incorporate trompe l’oeil techniques. (Trompe l’oeil by Pierre Finkelstein)

Trompe l’oeil marquetry