Trompe L'Oeil Project

Trompe L'Oeil is the technique of trying to make an art piece that looks as realistic as possible to a real object, to the point where it's difficult to tell difference. The requirements for the project were to remake two objects, one hard and one soft with different colors and textures, all through direct observation. I chose a wood swan and a plush octopus. I wanted the soft texture object to be simpler on the shape so I could focus on getting the texture right instead of spending time on the construction. For the swan, I wanted to focus on getting the color right and use a different painting material other than glaze. When it comes to the construction of my octopus, I first created the center and focused on getting the shape right with the curves of the cotton inside. Then I went and added the tentacles and shaped them with extra clay as they came out a little flat. I then carved out the inside of the octopus as it was extremely thick. For the swan, I used a similar technique and got the body and tail of the swan right, then attached the neck and curved it. When it comes to the surface, I used a toothbrush to achieve texture on the soft plush, as the texture was a low fluff. When it comes to the swan, I used the serrated edge scratchy tool for the lines in the wood. I then rolled the serrated edge on the swan body for the lines of the dots that appears on the swan as well. For the painting, I used acrylic paint, modge podge, and pressing ink. I used acrylic paint and modge podge on the swan, where I mainly dry brushed it. Then I used acrylic paint on the octopus, just for it to come out too matte and grey. I then proceeded to use ink, and it came out darker, but in the end was still too light. I think in terms of size and construction, I did a great job at replicating the objects. I think I could've worked on the surface color more however, especially with getting the intricacies on the swan. When it comes to the octopus, I wish I had found a material that could be dark enough to replicate the pitch black of the plush, with maintaining the matte aspect. Overall, I am proud of how the construction of my project came out, I just would have gone about coloring the surface a little bit differently and found materials that would help me create a more accurate surface.