Trompe l'oeil is a method of painting that dates to ancient Greece and Pompeii. Literally, the translation is "fool the eye," which is just what these clever and complicated pictures do. Through the magic of paint, you can create a three-dimensional world that will look so real you will be tempted to touch it even when you know the truth. Bring some magic into your own home and create a trompe l'oeil floor.
Instructions
1. Decide what you would like for your trompe l'oeil floor. You can get some ideas for your floor by looking at books that contain paintings of trompe l'oeil or the work of artist Julian Beever.
2. Draw your design on a piece of graph paper, making sure that you have the correct scale. Mark the color choices as well, because you want to be sure of what you're doing when you get down on the floor.
3. Clean the floor thoroughly with soap and water to ensure that the paint adheres.
4. Use a pencil to draw your design on the floor. Take your time doing this, and check your graph-paper drawing frequently to make sure your measurements are correct. Use a ruler, measuring tape or yardstick to do this.
5. Choose the paint for your floor. Floor or porch paint that will withstand constant traffic are the best choices. Paint the floor, following the drawing you made, and check your progress to make sure you are maintaining the three-dimensional effect.
