Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Through shadow and light, a stenciled painting can look almost real -- with texture, gradations of color, and a 3-D quality that fools the eye. Unlike freehand trompe l'oeil, stenciling is easy to learn, so beginners get great results with little practice. Trace and cut stencils with bridges, or multi-step ones that break down each element in the drawing. Begin with simpler designs -- a pleated fan, perhaps -- that teach shading skills, and then see how to capture the delicate tones of a perfect rose. Over 35 projects.