This sourcebook of decorative painted finishes covers paint, mediums, and their usage, the decorative painter's colour palette, varnishes, brushes, and tools, and surface preparation and clean-up procedures. In addition, Finkelstein presents the history of the two schools of decorative painting: the French-English school of trompe l'oeil precision and the more freely drawn, expressionistic Italian school. More than 60 recipes are outlined for a range of decorative surfaces. Each recipe includes a detailed drawing of the pattern, photographs showing the work in progress, and the hand and brush strokes used. Among the surfaces discussed are marble, wood, semi-precious stone, sandstone, glazes and patinas, ceramic, leather, art deco inlays, and faux mouldings.