Is the Secrets of Faking It available as a printed book ?
Due to unexpected demand, the paper version of the 'Secrets of Faking It' is sold out and is currently out of print. The eBook version is available exclusively from this site for the PC and Mac. If you want to know more about eBooks, check out the page What is an eBook?
Why does nothing happen when I click on the order button on the Order Page ?
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Do
I need any special viewers to read the Secrets of Faking It eBook ?
You will need Adobe Acrobat 5, or later that is freely available after clicking on the button below
Can
I print out a hard copy ?
Certainly, unlike many eBooks, the print function is enabled so
that you will be able to print out a hard copy for yourself.
I'm
not an artist, can I still produce a high quality painting reproduction
?
Certainly, since the colour is already provided by the art print
image, there is no colour mixing involved. Many original paintings
do not reveal raised brushstrokes and for these reproductions you
will not even need to use artists brushes.
Where
applicable to the art print, the appearance of raised brushwork
certainly increases the illusion of an original painting - providing
it is done accurately. The book provides lots of information on
how to achieve accurate and convincing brushwork.
If
you have no previous experience, but patience and average skills,
you should have no problems with brushwork when you start your first
project, providing the painting style of the original is relatively
simple, such as a van Gogh or Monet. If you follow this simple rule,
then you will find that your efforts will be well rewarded, right
from the start.
As
your experience grows, the speed and accuracy of your brushwork
will increase and you will find yourself graduating to more complex
and detailed styles.
Is
it really possible to start creating my first reproduction painting
within a week ?
Certainly, once you've downloaded the book you will find a shopping
list of artists tools and materials to get you started straight
away. Once you've purchased these tools and materials, you're ready
to start your first project. You'll find lots of helpful tips, step-by-step
instructions and illustrated examples specifically related to your
first project and to help you succeed first time.
What is the cost of the tools and materials that I will need ?
The techniques given in the 'Secrets of Faking It' are designed for producing high grade replicas at low cost. You will probably have many of the resources that you need at home e.g. bowls, basins, scissors, cutting knife, table, decorators brush, ruler, cutting edge etc, so you've already made a saving. Excluding the cost of the art prints, canvas and artists brushes, which can vary in price according to size and quality, the cost of the tools and mediums that you will need to get you started will be around $30. This investment will enable you to produce quite a few replica canvases. You may now begin to realise that creating replica canvases, using the techniques given in the manual, can be quite profitable.
Will
I need to use artists' paint ?
No, artists' paint is not needed to produce a high quality canvas
reproduction. The colour is provided by the art print and you will
be using a 'transparent' paint for the brushwork.
As
your experience grows, you will probably start buying one or more
tubes of artists' paint to help you with some techniques such as
craquelure. You may have noticed that many old painting have a network
of very fine cracks, due to ageing, shrinkage and the materials
used. This was so common in works by 18th century English painters
that it became known as "Craquelure Anglaise". The book
provides details on how to achieve this effect, but paint will be
required for rubbing into the cracks. Optionally, you may acquire
artists paint for touching-up, adaptations, experimenting and many
other purposes.
Will
I need any special tools or equipment ?
No, the techniques are designed to enable the creation of high grade
replica paintings, at minimum cost, and without needing any special
tools or equipment.
How
long will my reproduction painting last ?
If you use the materials and techniques suggested in the book,
together with good quality, acid-free art prints, then your reproduction
should last as long as an original painting.
Your
painting reproduction should be treated just like an original and
it is important to hang it away from Ultraviolet (UV) light sources
and direct sunlight. The book provides full instruction on how to
protect your artwork from UV, as well as picture care.
Will
my painting reproduction crack or will the image separate over time
?
No, if you follow the instructions, your reproduction will be
as stable as an original painting using modern materials.
The
tools and techniques used in the book have been tested on completed
canvas artworks under conditions of extreme temperature and humidity
variations over a long period of time - and no separation occurred.
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