The Wonderment of Trompe L’oeil

Trompe l’oeil is an art technique that involves exceedingly realistic imagery in order to create the optical illusion that the depicted objects appear in three dimensions, instead of actually being a two-dimensional painting. In French, it literally means “that which deceives the eye”. A typical trompe-l’oeil mural might depict a window, door, or hallway, intended to elude to a larger room. Trompe-loeil isn’t limited to the wall or ceiling, but can also be found painted on tables and other items of furniture. For example, a deck of playing cards might appear sitting on a table.

The technique itself dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times, but the phrase, trompe l’oeil, wasn’t coined until in the Baroque period. During this time, a superior understanding of perspective drawing was achieved and artists began painting illusionistic ceiling paintings. These paintings were generally fresco and employed perspective and techniques such as foreshortening in order to give the impression of greater space to the viewer below.

Trompe l’oeil is still very popular today and can be employed in many different variants. One such form is matte painting, a technique used in filmmaking where parts of a complicated set are painted on glass panels, which are mounted in front of the camera during the shooting of the scene. This was used in the original Star Wars trilogy. Fictional trompe l’oeil is also featured in many Looney Tunes, such as the road runner cartoons, where Wile E. Coyote paints a tunnel on the rock wall, and the road runner races through the tunnel. This gag was also used in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Trompe l’oeil is also used in contemporary interior design, where illusionary paintings experienced a renaissance since 1980, and body painting, which has recently exploded in popularity due, in part, by Joanne Gair.

Trompe l’oeil are generally designed to fit in with its surrounding environment. Their images share an affection of double wonderment. First, to make the viewer wonder “Is it real?” and second, to make us wonder at the artist’s virtuosity in provoking such a question in the first place. A trompe l’oeil mural will add drama, life, perspective, and depth to any room in the house with cabinets, cupboards, windows, bookshelves, drapes, curtains, headboards, people, animals, food, and fun. If you want a realistic and raving trompe l’oeil mural in your home or business, it is important that you use an experienced trompe l’oeil artist that can make your vision a reality.

Leigh Watson has mastered the art of trompe l’oeil and can turn any blank wall into your favorite scenic get-a-way or rustic wine cellar. Murals and decorative painting transform your space into a customized environment that reflects your personal style and desired mood. Leigh understands this and has mastered the application of design and color to create an environment that is all your own. From simple, accent elements that complement your existing decor to a full, 4-wall mural that transports its viewer to another world, Leigh Watson can create the perfect artwork specifically for you in your home or business.