905-628-1234

Scroll down to find some useful information about Faux Finish Painting and the Art of Faux, history and pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long does it take to paint one wall mural (size approx. 8' x 8')?
A. It all depends on the complexity of your design.
it could be done in one day or a week. For example; the kids room, ANIMALS, was done in one day, as well as, LITTLE MERMAID, but MEDITERRANEAN took about a week to finish.

Q. Do I have to have the design done by somebody else?
A. If you know what you want, you can just discuss it with us. We can make a rough sketch for additional $100.00 if you supply us with pictures and references. If you would like us to design something for you based on what you tell us, our prices start at $300.00

Q. Do I have to prime my wall?
A. If your walls are painted with light colour latex paint, than we can paint directly on it. If your walls are dark or painted with oil base paint, then YES, your walls must be primed prior to painting a mural.

Q. I want to paint a mural in my child's room, how much will it cost me?
A. It is hard to answer this question without knowing what you want on their walls. We must know how many sq. feet will be painted and what you have in mind. Again, It all depends of complexity of your design. It could be $10 - $25 per sq/ft.

Q. What kind of paints do you use?
A. Acrylic and Latex.

Q. How far would you travel to paint a mural?
A. I love traveling, but you would have to cover the cost of the transportation and accommodation, beyond the Toronto/Hamilton (Ontario, Canada) area.

More information about Murals/Faux Finishes

Can be painted directly on wall, on panels or canvas.
Wall's surface must be primed or sealed (exterior walls) prior to painting.
Price includes paints (interior) and other materials used to create a mural.

Rough/Basic way to estimate your cost:
$7 - $25.00 per sq. ft. depends on complexity

Extra cost to consider:
Design
Research for special objects, characters
Exterior paints
Travel/Accommodation expenses outside of Toronto/Hamilton area
Sealer/Weather proofing
Scaffolds for big murals

Please contact us for a quote. It is always easier to give a basic price if we know what you are looking for.

Tel: 905-628-1234 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Murals can be painted inside or outside, encompass a whole room or only a part.

Whole room murals are awesome, but it is not necessary to completely cover all the walls to make a lasting impression - let your budget lead the way.

Our "Art-of-Design" in Trompe L'Oeil and Murals

"Painting Your Imagination into Life" is skillfully captured through trompe l'oeil, murals, faux finishes and hand painted furniture.
We use a diverse variety of techniques to capture artistic illusions through wall mural paintings and trompe l'oeil artwork. 
Through the skillful art of faux finishing and/or trompe l'oeil, our wall murals, hand painted furniture, unique forms of trompe l'oeil paintings, wall textures and sophisticated faux finishes bring these creations to life and will have you as well as, your guests questioning what is real.
 

Daring to look beyond the obvious
   
The following pages offer a brief glimpse into 'Art of Design's' extensive creative portfolio of hand painted murals, furniture, faux effects along with other wall art using trompe l'oeil, that is essentially influenced by our love of nature.
Our design portfolio takes you on a trip of discovery through our wall murals and artwork where "Bringing Your Imagination to Life" is our promise. Every painted mural or work of art is created using carefully executed techniques in trompe l'oeil and faux finish painting, as artists, we dedicate extra special care into the trompe l'oeil aspect of the piece of art. 
Using trompe l'oeil, and/or faux finishing are unique ways to bring attention to any room of your house through centralized wall mural themes.
"We can create a room centered around a centered theme using trompe l'oeil - coordinating with the decor of the rest of the room. We can also carry the theme pass the walls with hand painted furniture.
Much of our artwork involves a specific theme in the children's rooms, where imagination seems to always flourish."

Trompe l'oeil - creating the illusion of seeing reality.
 
From the French word Trompe L'oeil (pronounced "toum ploy") it's meaning translates to deceive the eye -"to fool the eye". 
The architectural elements of: columns, pillars, and arches can also be included in murals. This adds a richness and complexity to the design of your home or office. 
Trompe l'oeil murals will add to the decorative scheme of the area, giving it new magnitude with their illusions they add. 

Faux Finish Painting The art of faux finish painting includes techniques used to recreate the natural look and feel of materials like stones and woods. 
 
Faux Finish Painting and the Art of Faux
 

Faux paintings are found throughout history, beginning with the Egyptian Pharaohs who employed artists and craftsmen to imitate wood graining, using techniques in faux finishing.
Through faux finishes and trompe l'oeil, these artisans were able to cut construction costs and time by painting the grandiose architectural fundamentals and other textures that were in high demand. In the decorative arts probably the most popular faux finishes are faux bois (wood) and faux marbre (marble). These techniques in faux painting were both utilized when the real thing was too expensive or not easily available.
Faux finishers have developed many styles and techniques over the years to replicate the look; aged plaster, marble, limestone, wood and distressed paint. A skilled faux finisher can recreate in days and sometimes even hours, what has taken years to achieve naturally.

Faux...adj. Artificial; fake; false;

The art of faux finish painting and trompe l'oeil both can co-exist in any artist's or muralist's portfolio. Both a faux finish and a piece of trompe l'oeil art are used to create an illusion, that "deceives the eye".
Follow the faux finish link below to find many examples of how Art of Design incorporates faux finishing into our painted artwork.

Can you tell where the faux ends and the real begins?

History
  
The Art of Trompe L'oeil Painting has been around for over two thousand years as an art form and dates back to 400 B.C.
While the original trompe l'oeil paintings have been lost, descriptions of these paintings have been passed down through history.
While being part of the rich culture of the Greek and Roman Empires, trompe l'oeil art vanished until the Renaissance and Baroque eras.
Walls and ceilings of palaces, villas and homes of the influential and rich were decorated by artesian muralists with trompe l'oeil paintings.