Art of Faux: The Complete Source of Decorative Painted Finishes

by Pierre Finkelstein

Book Overview

This collection of show-and-tell recipes includes a marvelous range of surfaces, paints, tools, and procedures for both beginners and professionals. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823008584
• ISBN13: 9780823008582
• Release Date: June 1997
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill Publications
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 3.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.4" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

Depth and Breadth for Serious Painters

If you are really into painting this book is very cool. It gives you recipies and illustrations for many types of faux finishes. It doesn't just show you how to do wood. It explains the different cuts of wood, how they affect the grain patterns and then provides illustrated directions for about a dozen different exotic woods. Same with marble, semi-precious stone and many other materials.This is too much information for the beginner or the casual crafts person, but if you are the type of person who wants to know the difference between French and Italian faux finishes, this is the book. A comprehensive and in depth study. One of my painting bibles.

This is the only book you will need to learn faux finishes

After looking through well over a dozen different and popular books on fauz painting/faux finishes this was the only one that was worth purchasing. It is the most complete guide that anyone could find in my opinion. Pierre covers just about every finish imagineable (glazing, crackle, colorwash, patina, sponging on and off, several faux marbling and wood finish techniques, as well as many others). As each finish is covered there is always a complete list of materials, step by step instructions, and pictures of those steps as well as a finished product to help you guide your way. The book also shows finished rooms that are breath takingly beautiful and that fully illustrate the possibilities that lie before you. Additionally, there is information in regards to taking classes with Pierre Finkelstein in New York City as well as the ability to order the supplies through the Pierre Finkelstein Institute (though it is unnecessary since the supplies can be purchased through most art supply stores). In summary this book is just so wonderfully comprehenive and such a great asset that I would recommend it to anyone, beginner or advanced.

the best faux finishing book available

This is the best book available on techniques and step-by-step procedures. The materials needed are available at any quality paint store. Other books have materials impossible to find in the states.

Most comprehensive faux guide, beautiful finishes

This is the most complete guide to faux painting I have found. There are excellent step-by-step instructions accompanied by full-color photos for each technique. Materials needed, exercises & difficulty ratings are also included.The book starts teaching the basics of paint properties & color mixing. I was very impressed with the section on painting tools & bushes. It includes a photo, a complete description & the proper holding method for each item.Next, glaze application, surface preparation & finishing coat techniques are demonstrated. A vast array of beautiful & impressive faux techniques follow. My favorites were the red tortoiseshell tile & mosaic effects.This author is obviously very knowledgeable & I really appreciated the time she took to share her experiences, explaining everything in detail. The resource list is also a nice bonus. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

My best buy ever in faux finishes books

Fantastic pictures, wide range of very well-explained step-by-step techniques (marbles, woods, stencil, grisaille, etc). What I loved most (as a self-taught beginner): 1) The "techniques exercises" at the beginning of the marble/wood chapters, which allow you to gain confidence before you start following the step-by-step instructions and, most important thing, prevent you from creating "horrible looking" marbles or woods, 2) the discovery of the frisket adhesive film for the "pietre dure", 3) the chapter of materials and how you should take care of them (the author provides very clear and detailed information on this) and 4) the veining and line drawings at the end of the book, to be used as reference material.