Decorative painting has been around for thousands of years as seen in this famous fresco mural painting, "Villa Livia"

When decorating your home, you inevitably face the dilemma of what to do with your walls. Paint them a plain color? Wallpaper? How about doing some decorative painting such as a “faux finish” or “mural”? If you are exploring decorative painting options, you will first need to know the terms to use when consulting your interior decorator, designer, or decorative painting professional. In this article, I’ve assembled some of the most commonly used and misused terms I encounter regularly in my decorative painting business. I have defined them and provided examples of each. You will also find resources and links within each category.

DECORATIVE PAINTING:

Decorative Painting is the term used to describe  ALL of the painting techniques artisans use to decorate and adorn everything from walls to frames to furniture. Some well known examples of decorative painting are tole painting, faux painting, mural painting, stenciling, and ornamentation. For more information or to see  up-close examples of decorative painting, visit one of the annual trade expos that take place around the country such as the IDAL expo, the FAUX EXPO, and the OPEN DECOR SHOW. If you are a professional decorative painter, there are organizations such as IDAL and the PDPA that support and enrich the industry. There are many wonderful books, online forums, and schools for anyone who is interested in learning more about the art of decorative painting.

FAUX FINISH:

The correct pronunciation sounds like “foe”. Faux painting and faux finishing are terms used to describe a wide range of decorative painting techniques. The naming comes from the French word faux, meaning false, as these techniques started as a form of replicating materials such as marble and wood with paint, but have subsequently come to encompass many other decorative finishes for walls and furniture.
Wikipedia gives a brief history of faux finish as follows:

“Faux finishing has been used for millennia, from cave painting to the tombs of ancient Egypt, but what we generally think of as faux finishing in the decorative arts began with plaster and stucco finishes in Mesopotamia over 5000 years ago.

Faux painting became popular in classical times in the forms of faux marble, faux wood, and trompe l’oeil murals. Artists would apprentice for 10 years or more with a master faux painter before working on their own. Great recognition was awarded to artists who could actually trick viewers into believing their work was the real thing. Faux painting has continued to be popular throughout the ages, but experienced major resurgences in the neoclassical revival of the nineteenth century and the Art Deco styles of the 1920s. During the recent history of decorative painting, faux finishing has been mainly used in commercial and public spaces.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, faux finishing saw another major revival, as wallpaper began to fall out of fashion. At this point, faux painting became extremely popular in home environments, with high-end homes leading the trend. People are also attracted to the simplicity of changing a faux finish, as it can be easily painted over compared with the hassle of removing wallpaper.
In modern day faux finishing, there are two major materials/processes used. Glaze work involves using a translucent mixture of paint and glaze applied with a brush, roller, rag, or sponge, and often mimics textures, but it is always smooth to the touch. Plaster work can be done with tinted plasters, or washed over with earth pigments, and is generally applied with a trowel or spatula. The finished result can be either flat to the touch or textured.”

This wine cellar features a "faux" hammered copper ceiling with "faux" leather strapping.

an example of a glazed faux finish

The Art of Faux by Pierre Finkelstein is a must have book for any decorative painter!

MURAL:

Wikipedia defines a mural as “any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.” Since prehistoric times humans have felt compelled to decorate their walls with pictures and stories. Ruins from ancient civilizations in Egypt, Pompeii, China, India and Mexico all contain evidence of elaborate mural scenes. Murals held an important place in Greek, Roman and Egyptian art. During the Renaissance, cathedrals were adorned with unbelievably intricate mural scenes. The Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo is probably the most famous fresco mural example. Murals are still quite popular today and can be found in many homes as well as businesses.

This is a portion of a mural after JW Waterhouse that I recently completed for a client

Members of the International Salon of Decorative Painters work on a large mural

Next up…”trompe l’oeil” trȯmp-ˈlə-ē, trōⁿp-ˈlœi\

Definition of TROMPE L’OEIL:

1
: a style of painting in which objects are depicted with photographically realistic detail; also : the use of similar technique in interior decorating
2
: a trompe l’oeil painting or effect
3
: something that misleads or deceives the senses : illusion
See trompe l’oeil defined for English-language learners »

Encyclopedia Brittanica explains the term in the following manner: “in painting, the representation of an object with such verisimilitude as to deceive the viewer concerning the material reality of the object.” Throughout history, artists have used techniques to create spaces that fooled the viewer into thinking they were seeing something that wasn’t really there. The practice of painting and creating effective trompe l’oeil illusions in murals requires meticulous attention to detail and correctly representing and understanding color, shadow, and perspective. The ancient Romans first used trompe l’oeil in Pompeii to decorate their living spaces. A typical trompe l’oeil mural might suggest a window or doorway leading into another room. The Romans later went on to use trompe ‘loeil methods to paint and decorate cathedrals.

Roman Cathedral Trompe L'oeil ceiling

Mural artists still use this technique today.

Trompe L'oeil Murals by Yves Lanthier

The Murals of John Pugh

This is an example of one of my trompe l'oeil murals

Trompe L'oeil capital by artist Dru Blair

GILDING:

This entire room is gilded with gold leaf

Gilding is used for everything from frames and furniture to ceilings and walls. The decorative techniques of applying fine gold leaf or powder to solid surfaces such as wood, stone, or metal to give a thin coating of gold are known as gilding techniques. Gilt refers to the object, which has been gilded by gold. There are different types of gilding; water gilding, which is a technique that consists of applying loose sheets of gold on a layer of red clay (bole). The bole supplies a flexible surface that allows for polishing the gold with an agate burnisher thereby obtaining a brilliant and very smooth effect. The bole gives the gold red reflections due to transparency. This technique of gilding requires a significant investment in materials and long practice to obtain good results. Gilding generally means gold gilding, but there are other metals, which are also used in gilding the objects. For example, in the West silver gilding is very popular but gilt-bronze is much used in China. Gilt-bronze is called Ormolu in the West. There are various types of gilding methods. Some include hand application and gluing, chemical gilding, gold plating and electroplating. Other types of gilding are parcel-gilt and full body guild. When the objects are only gilded over part of their surfaces, the process is called parcel-gilt. This type of gilding method is applied to vessels. Water gilding is most commonly used for furniture. Additionally there is oil gilding, which is more often used for ceilings and wall applications. Oil gilding has been used to highlight and ornament some of the most opulent interiors in the world. It is accomplished by applying a glue or “size” to a surface followed by delicate and meticulous application of sheets or “leaves” which are then polished.

an elaborate example of Gilding

Watch for the next installment of Decorative Painting Examples and Terminology which will feature Stenciling, Chinoiserie, Grottesca, and Ornamentation…

English Dining Room 1770

The Thorne rooms enable one to glimpse the elements of European interiors from the late 16th to the 20th century and those of American furnishings from the seventeenth century to 1940. Many are scale copies of specific rooms in historical houses, or were inspired by museum installations of period rooms. Mrs. Thorne herself assembled and supervised the skilled craftspeople who created the detailed rooms and furnishings at the scale of one inch to one foot. She also dealt with the technical aspects of lighting to effectively convey the illusion of daylight coming through windows and adjacent halls, which is one of the most appealing features of the rooms. Of particular interest to me was the period specific decorative painting and wallpaper.

Mrs.-James-Ward-Thorne

French Bathroom and Boudoir of the Revolutionary Period, 1793-1804

chinoiserie wallpaper

chinoiserie wallpaper

grisaille wallpaper

this room had a tiny shoe with toys inside set out in front of the fireplace

Tennessee Entrance Hall 1835

this Santa Fe style room had the table set for a Christmas feast

Tennessee Entrance Hall 1835

If you have the opportunity, this delightful exhibit is a great one to see for the whole family! To view all of the rooms online and get more information, visit the Art Institute’s website at http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/category/18

One big look that has really made an impact across the board is the “Industrial Chic” look. Fueled by Restoration Hardware‘s gorgeous new line of furniture and accessories, this handsome and interesting style is full of rich textures, colors, and lines. It is distinguished by repurposed “industrial” items like gears and metals, vintage signs and clocks, and anything with time-worn patina and hardware. This look is a particular favorite of mine. Shows like American Pickers and Picker Sisters have added to the industrial chic craze.

a page from the latest Restoration Hardware catalog

industrial side tables

warm and exciting, cool and chic!

This modern bedroom is so serene

I love the retro wall

"roundabout" stencil by "wallovers" looks a lot like the wall in the previous pic

I don't typically think of modern as having so many interesting textures! It's gorgeous.

elegant gray zebra stripe stencil

The warm gray chinoisserie on the walls and ceiling are stunning and classic

burlap fabric, reclaimed wood and hardware, vintage accessories

love the mix of burlap and french design on these chairs shown on apartmenttherapy.com!

detail of "burlap" canvas I created earlier this year

Aged Copper Pumpkins

Pumpkin painted with the face of an owl

back of "rusted" pumpkin

Old Tin Pumpkins

HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN AGED COPPER PUMPKIN:

You will need:
-craft foam pumpkin
-spray primer (I use Bin 123) in white
-chip brushes
-Copper Schabin or decorative foil
-Wunda Size or Faux Effects Aqua Size
-black paint
-Modern Masters metallic paints in copper, brass, and “reactive” bronze
-Modern Masters reactive paint activator in Blue, Green, and Black
-Modern Masters Permacoat Sealer

1) First prime your pumpkin
2) Apply 2 coats of black paint mixed with a little Brass metallic with a chip brush


3) When dry, coat with a single layer of size. Let size get tacky (about 15 minutes)

then add your schabin or foil. In this demo, I am using Schabin. I bought mine from Kathy Carroll at www.fauxbykathy.com

4) Once you have covered your pumpkin, while leaving some holes or “holidays” use a dry chip brush to go over pumpkin and press down any loose leaves.

5) Now it’s time to “age” the copper. Using a combination of copper paint, and reactive paints, loosely scumble on paint with a chip brush, covering about 75% of pumpkin.
while the paint is still wet, pour the blue reactive and green reactive paints on top of pumpkin, letting it drip over sides, then spritz with the black reactor.

6) Let it dry and coat with the PermaSeal Coat to stop the reactivity.
7) I added some bronze carpet tacks which I purchased at Lowe’s

THAT’S IT!! Now go paint some pumpkins:)

A beautiful little bonsai tree.

they look just like miniature trees

The ancient art of Bonsai originated in China over a thousand years ago. Since then, it has been studied, copied and adopted all over the world and embraced as an artform as well as a gardening practice. The original practice of planting single trees in pots was known as “pun-sai.” The concept of bonsai is to grow a tree or shrub in a container and prune it in such a way that it is in harmony with it’s container, creating an aesthetically pleasing shape. Bonsai is more an artform than a horticultural practice, but basic gardening knowledge is essential to practicing the art of bonsai because the artist is creating and harmonizing with a living growing subject matter.

During the Kamakura period in Japan (1185-1333) many Chinese traditions were adopted. The spread of Zen Buddhism around Asia brought with it the spread of cultural trademarks, such as the art of Bonsai. The Japanese began to refine the artform and the practice of planting and creating these beautiful little living sculptures became a symbol of honor and prestige, representing a fusion of ancient beliefs with the Eastern philosophies of the harmony between man, the soul and nature.

Nature has always been a prominent subject in Japanese art. This is an example of an 18th century panel painted on gold leaf.

Eventually, other trends began to develop such as introducing other natural elements such as rocks, supplementary plants, and even small buildings and people. This particular style was known as “bon-kei.” One of my favorite type of bonsai is the representation of miniature landscapes, known as “sai-ke.”

In Japan, mostly native species such as pines, azaleas and maples are used in their bonsai. However, other countries explore many other plants in their attempts.

One of the bonsai plants on display at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

http://www.artakiane.com/

Akiane Kramirek and her portrayal of Jesus Christ in her painting entitled, "Prince of Peace"

"Wonder" by Akiane Kramirek, painted when she was 13 year old

Perhaps I wanted to catch it
perhaps not

But one morning
an eagle dropped a diamond

And right then
with my faulty brush
full of my own hair
I wanted to paint

I wanted to paint the wings-
Too late – they flew away
I wanted to paint a flower
Too late – it withered

That night the rain
was running after me
Each drop of rain
showed God’s face
His face was everywhere
On homes and on me

I wrung out the love
to make the red

I wrung out the stumps
to make the brown

I wrung out the trust
to make the pink

I wrung out my own eyes
to make the blue

I wrung out the seaweed
to make the green

I wrung out the nightly pain
to make the black

I wrung out my grandmother’s hair
to make the gray

I wrung out my visions
to make the violet

I wrung out the truth
to make the white

Today I want to paint God’s face
IT’S NOT TOO LATE !

"Open Door" by Akiane Kramirek; a recent painting

a detail from another recent painting by Akiane. She says that God tells her what to paint and write.

Vessel for the Heart of Anne of Brittany, with Its Crown, Probably Loire Valley or Paris, January 9–March 19, 1514. Musée Dobrée, Nantes, D. 886-1-1.

An example of an illuminated manuscript like the ones on exhibit at the Art Institute

ornate lettering was a constant in illuminated manuscripts.

This book was a book of love poems that was encased in a beautiful leather case that hung around the waist of the recipient. So romantic!

A beautiful example of the detail found on the covers of these manuscripts.

These remarkably well preserved books, most of which were known as “hours” were typically used as prayer books.
The pages or “leaves” are surprisingly abundant and have been actively pursued by collectors for centuries. Even today, the leaves are extremely popular for decorating. They remain lovely works of art and are one of the most affordable artifacts that collectors can find from the pre-Renaissance era.

The influence of these books carried on even after their production ceased. The works of the Pre-Raphaelites in the second half of the 1850’s are a direct result of inspiration from these books. When looking at the work of Dante Gabriel Rosetti, one can see the influence that the vivid colors and medieval subjects of the manuscripts had on him. On a more complex level, he also copied their use of a crowded picture plane and spatial relationships along with the luminous colors found in the illustrations of the books.

The vivid colors and rich details in this painting by Dante Gabriel Rosetti are reminiscent of the illustrations in the Illuminated Manuscripts of the Renaissance era.

William Morris is one of the most widely recognizable artists in the history of decorative arts and was himself a collector of Illuminated Manuscripts. His work was greatly influenced by the calligraphy and illustration contained in the books. So much so, that he created his own modern day versions. His work is still popular and his influences can be seen in many forms in the world of decorative arts from wallpaper and textiles to furniture and home accessories.

William Morris wallpaper

The Illuminated Manuscripts of the Renaissance are a wonderful example of the importance of art in the daily life of a renaissance aristocrat. Their beauty and influence lives on in the decorative art of the 21st century. They are a testament to the innate need and desire of human beings to decorate and beautify the world around us. When we look back at the rich history of all types of decorative painting, these amazing manuscripts are not to be missed.