Any prop builder will be glad to own this book, whether a seasoned professional or someone just learning the trade. The book also covers molding and casting from an alginate life mask, mixing and using plaster, and mask-making with many other materials. Dan tells all the secrets in the Dan Does It Episodes. The techniques shown simulate marble, wood, stone, leather, ceramic, and many other fascinating finishes. This volume clearly and thoroughly explains the methods of adorning objects with stylized flowers, fruit, scrolls, and other organic designs.
Projects are many and varied and include wood, tinware, and glass objects.
Many rocks have shapes suggestive of curled or crouched animals, so painting them is actually easier for beginners to master. Experienced painters will enjoy trying their hands at painting in three dimensions, and like sculpture, rock art can be displayed in all kinds of places flat art could never go, including the garden or front porch. Armed with this book and some basic paint supplies, you can turn ho-hum furniture into useful and attractive pieces. Complete Home Crafts is a seriously appealing book for the crafter whose main interest is enhancing the home. Innes's tips at the end of the book are explicit enough for any beginner, and most of the crafts are inexpensive and don't require an artist's eye for great results.