Since
the beginning, humans have decorated the walls of their shelters. They
used earth pigments bound with animal fat as the first paints. Later,
the Egyptians used waxes and gums as binders for these earth pigments
to paint the walls of tombs. The Romans invented mural painting mixing
their earth and plant-based pigments with water-based binders to paint
frescos. By the late Middle Ages, oil-based paint was invented similar
to the artist' oils still used today. It was the period of the Renaissance
that the Italian painters such as Leonardo and Michelangelo made famous
the art of Fresco and Trompe l'oeil. Fresco painting is the art of mixing
paint with wet plaster to produce images that look as if they are embedded
in the wall. Trompe l'loeil means "to fool the eye" and is
used to simulate an architectural detail such as moldings, columns and
still lifes on surfaces to create three-dimensional elements. The success
of the process leaves a viewer for a moment unable to detect the real
from the painted.
The art of Decorative Painting was first used among the European aristocracy.
There are two major "schools" or styles of decorative painting.
One is the Italian school; the other, the French school. The Italian
style is very loose and is generally used to leave the "impression"
or effect of a certain material such as marble or wood. The reality
of the finish is more an illusion. The French style is much more precise
with the emphasis on reproducing the physical characteristics of a material
almost exactly. The term"faux" is French, which translates
to mean "false finish". As far back as the 17th century, these
false finishes were made to imitate the look of marble, stone, granite,
brick and a multitude of other fine finishes over almost any surface.
The French style is well suited to produce high-quality finishes that
must match existing materials.
Today, Faux Finishers or Decorative Painters are considered craftsmen
not artist because there are preserved theories, formulas, rules and
recipes that each must follow. However, it is considered a craft that
benefits from one possessing artistic talent. In the past, apprentices
began training as young as 13 years old, sent off to live under the
guidance of a master or senior craftsmen. Only after years of instruction
would someone earn the title of Decorative Painter. Today, craftsmen
earn the title by enrolling in classes taught by professionals and then
practicing that craft on families and friends until their confidence
enable them to present their work to the public; generally Contractors
and Interior designers to start. The old ways have been modernized by
the development of products that replicate the old style finishes without
the hazards. For most Faux Finishers, the days of mixing linseed oil
and gum turpentine with dry pigments to create glazes are no longer
a part of the process.
Most products are water based and ready to apply. However, the knowledge
of this craft is still a key factor to a beautiful finish.l
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