Trompe-l'oeil--"trick the eye"--is an art genre that extends back to the Greeks. Its original function was as an architectural tool, a means of using a mural to make a simple flat surface into something more expansive. It has evolved into one of the most engaging kinds of art used by surrealists, sidewalk artists, and wallpaper designers.
Instructions
1. Begin working on your sketching and painting skills at a young age. Trompe-l'oeil requires a great degree of technical drafting skill. In particular, study perspective and the art of three-dimensional renderings.
2. When you are ready to attack the genre, familiarize yourself with the history of trompe-l'oeil. Study the works of contemporary artists.
3. Continue to hone your skills. Attend one of the art academies that specifically feature trompe-l'oeil.
4. Add murals to your paintings. Murals are a very commercial form of trompe-l'oeil, and until you develop a reputation as a gallery artist, they can be a way of keeping the lights on.
5. Study the works of the some the more successful sidewalk artists. Their works have become Internet events and helped quickly create a widespread reputation.
6. Explore the possibility of creating patterns for trompe-l'oeil wallpaper. It has become a popular decorating device.
7. Visit the National Gallery of Art and tour its works of trompe-l'oeil. Decide where your masterpiece will best fit.
