The art ofTrompe l’oeil

Advanced 3-D Art

Visual Arts Standards• 2.2 Plan and create works of art that

reflect complex ideas, such as distortion, color theory, arbitrary color, scale, expressive content, and real versus virtual. • 2.3 Assemble and display objects or

works of art as a part of a public exhibition.

Materials• An object to replicate, clay, glazes

and/or paints

Vocabulary• Trompe l’oiel = a French

expression meaning “trick they eye.” The viewer is tricked into thinking what they see is real when actually it is only an illusion created by the artist.

John PughTrompe l’oeil murals

Duane HansonTrompe l’oeil figures made out of fiberglass

Objectives• To refine observational skills.• To improve craftsmanship in clay.• To use paints and/or glazes

effectively to achieve trompe l’oiel.

Project Requirements• Your object must have strong visual interest with

various forms and textures (not a round ball or flat iPod)

• Must show significant attention to detail (i.e. you must attempt to duplicate as many details and textures as possible)

• Use the clay building method you think would work best (pinch, slab, coil, or modeling). If you form it from a solid piece of clay you will need to hollow it out.

Trompe l’oeil clay sculpture

Student Projects

Due Dates• Shoe sculpture practice: end of class

Friday 2/24• Object brought to class: No later than

Monday 2/27• Green ware for project complete:

Monday March 5• Glazing/painting complete (finished

project w/Artist Statement): TBA