During one of my trips to the US, a friend's client suddenly asked me to paint a mural on the exterior wall of the patio of their newly built home...the client was getting married in several weeks and he wanted to offer his fiancee a beautiful mural painting... it was like a surprise gift. The only tools I had were some brushes and paints... the rest was done using my imagination and my knowledge of 'feeling' perspective.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Carnet de Voyage USA - Have brush, will travel
Pendant un voyage aux Etats Unis, on m'a soudainement demandé de peindre un panoramique sur le mur extérieur d'une mainson..... voici comment je me suis débrouillé, sachant que je n'avais aucun outil de traçage sur moi....
During one of my trips to the US, a friend's client suddenly asked me to paint a mural on the exterior wall of the patio of their newly built home...the client was getting married in several weeks and he wanted to offer his fiancee a beautiful mural painting... it was like a surprise gift. The only tools I had were some brushes and paints... the rest was done using my imagination and my knowledge of 'feeling' perspective.
During one of my trips to the US, a friend's client suddenly asked me to paint a mural on the exterior wall of the patio of their newly built home...the client was getting married in several weeks and he wanted to offer his fiancee a beautiful mural painting... it was like a surprise gift. The only tools I had were some brushes and paints... the rest was done using my imagination and my knowledge of 'feeling' perspective.
Labels:
Mural,
mural painting,
painted sky,
peinture murale,
Perspective,
Projects
Saturday, August 11, 2012
From Helsinki, with love
Quelques clichés de notre rendez-vous annuel en Finlande - le quatrième.
Here are some photos from our annual rendez-vous in Finland... our fourth trip this time!
Here are some photos from our annual rendez-vous in Finland... our fourth trip this time!
Le soleil de Finlande! Enjoying the midsummer sun in Finland! |
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Après le printemps, l'été / After spring, comes summer
Sans nouvelles de nous depuis le mois d'avril (le printemps), nous vous retrouvons ici avec bonheur pour vous donner les dernières nouvelles de l'Atelier (l'été).
La raison...
La raison...
Un Monsieur, dans un pays lointain, amoureux d'espaces colorés et de paysages ensoleillés, a demandé à Michel de bien vouloir animer les murs et les plafonds de ses salons privés.
Le thème, les couleurs et les senteurs du sud de la France.
Voici le résultat de la première tranche des travaux.
Le thème, les couleurs et les senteurs du sud de la France.
Voici le résultat de la première tranche des travaux.
Absent from this blog since the month of April (spring), it is our pleasure to come back to give you some latest news from our atelier (summer).
A client, who lives in a far away country and who loves colors and sunny landscapes, asked Michel to animate the walls and ceiling of his private salon.
The theme, the colors, sights and smells from the south of France.
Here are some photos of the first part of this project.
The theme, the colors, sights and smells from the south of France.
Here are some photos of the first part of this project.

Après un long voyage depuis l'Atelier, les toiles sont déroulées
et
étendues au sol quelques jours, avant la pose finale sur les murs.
Quelques minutes avant la pose/ several minutes before the marouflage
Labels:
Mural,
Painted ceiling,
painted landscape,
painted sky,
paysage,
peinture murale,
Projects
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Cours panoramique et mur peint / Panoramics and Painted Murals Course
Formation incontournable pour les peintres en décors - l'étude et la réalisation du Panoramique.
One of our signature courses - the Panoramics and Painted Murals course!
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Technique de l'ellipse / Study of the ellipse |
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Ornement peint en Trompe-l'oeil / Decorative ornament painted in Trompe-l'oeil
Quelques étapes d'un trompe-l'oeil en cours.

Painting a decorative ornament and moldings in trompe-l'oeil.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Le Sarrancolin - sarrancolin marble
Suites de décors en imitation de marbre sarrancolin: ébauche et reglaçages. Quelques clichés de décors de sarrancolin en situation de chantier.
Here are some examples of imitation marble of sarrancolin.
You can see the preliminary steps, and the final overglazes.
Finally, you'll see how this marble can bring an elegant touch to a living room.
![]() |
Ebauche - preliminary step |
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Inauguration royale au palais de Stirling en Ecosse - Royal opening for Stirling Castle

Les clés du Château de Stirling sont présentées à sa Majesté la Reine Elizabeth II
lors de son arrivée le 6 juillet 2011 pour l’inauguration officielle des lieux.
lors de son arrivée le 6 juillet 2011 pour l’inauguration officielle des lieux.
The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, touches the keys to Stirling Castle during a visit where Her Majesty re-opened the newly renovated James V Palace.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Carnet du voyage - decors peints / Travel diary - painted decorations
Lors de votre voyage en Finlande, il faut surtout visiter la magnifique Cathédrale Ouspenski à Helsinki. Héritage de la domination russe, cette église a été construite entre 1862 et 1868. Elle domine la presque île de Katajanokka. C’est aujourd’hui l’église gréco-orthodoxe la plus importante d’Europe occidentale.
Voici quelques photos prisent lors de notre dernier voyage...
When you visit Finland, make sure you visit the magnificent Uspenski Cathedral in Helsinki. Built between 1862 and 1868, Uspenski Cathedral is the largest Orthodox church in western Europe, and houses a rich display of icons and other typical Orthodox decorations, including an impressive array of chandeliers hanging from the vaulted ceiling. The painting on the murals are equally impressive.
Here are some photos taken during our last trip to Finland in June...

Monday, May 9, 2011
Master Class Cours de Perspective / Perspective Master Class
Paolo Ucello, peintre florentin du quinzième siècle, fut parmi les premiers à s'intéresser aux lois de la perspective, puis Brunelleschi, Masaccio, Alberti, Fra Angelico et d'autres encore suivirent ses traces en offrant aux peintres d'alors le premier vrai outil pour imaginer, composer et cadrer une œuvre d'art.
Tout peintre respectueux de son état, se doit de posseder bien plus que des rudiments en matière de perspective, c'est une discipline qu'il doit réellement connaître.
Tout peintre respectueux de son état, se doit de posseder bien plus que des rudiments en matière de perspective, c'est une discipline qu'il doit réellement connaître.
Nous avons eu énormément plaisir d'offrir un cours approfondi sur la perspective, du 18 avril au 29 avril. Nos élèves ont eu l'occasion de travailler sur plusieurs sujets en profondeur.
Fifteenth century Florentine painter, Paolo Ucello, was among the first to be interested in the laws of perspective. Brunelleschi, Masaccio, Alberti, Fra Angelico and the others followed in his footsteps by offering painters the first 'real' tool for imagining, composing and framing a work of art.
A very good foundation in perspective, which goes beyond the rudimentary level, is a real must for any serious painter. Building up this skill will truly bring another dimension to any decorative painter's work.
A very good foundation in perspective, which goes beyond the rudimentary level, is a real must for any serious painter. Building up this skill will truly bring another dimension to any decorative painter's work.
At Atelier Nadaï, we had the pleasure of holding a Master Class on Perspective from April 18th to April 29th. It was an intensive and in-depth 2-week class, with lots of hands on practice in practicing perspective drawings. A big hand to our students!

Labels:
Formation,
Master Class,
Mural,
Perspective,
Workshops / Formation
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Cordes sur Ciel
La semaine dernière nous avons eu l'occasion de visiter Cordes-sur-Ciel, magnifique bastide, très bien préservé. Un vrai voyage dans le temps!
We posted some of these photos on our FB page, and thought to post them also on our blog. Last week we had lovely weather as we visited the lovely hilltop bastide, Cordes-sur-Ciel. The well-preserved bastide is a treat in spring and summer, and is a real journey back into time.
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Cordes-sur-Ciel |
Friday, March 18, 2011
Les Journées des Métiers d'Art
Portes Ouvertes à l'Atelier Nadaï,
pendants les Journées des Métiers d'Art
le 1er, 2ème et 3ème avril 2011.
pendants les Journées des Métiers d'Art
le 1er, 2ème et 3ème avril 2011.
Open House at Atelier Nadaï during this National Event
on April 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 2011.
on April 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 2011.
A très bientôt!
Look forward to seeing many of you!
Atelier Nadaï
Centre Culturel
Avenue de Consuegra
47520 Le Passage
michel.nadai@wanadoo.fr
05 53 48 51 42 / 06 09 93 09 13
Atelier Nadaï
Centre Culturel
Avenue de Consuegra
47520 Le Passage
michel.nadai@wanadoo.fr
05 53 48 51 42 / 06 09 93 09 13
Friday, February 18, 2011
Stage Panoramique et Murs Peints / Painted Murals course
Nous avons le plaisir de partager avec vous un diaporama, avec des photos prisent lors du cours Panoramiques et Murs Peints, enseigné par Michel Nadaï.
Ce cours intensive et approfondi de six semaines (du 3 janvier au 11 février) a permit aux élèves d'aborder des sujets comme la perspective, les techniques pour composer un panoramique, les techniques de differentes plans, l'utilisation de couleurs, et beaucoup plus. Nous remercions tous les élèves qui ont participés à ce cours.
Ce cours intensive et approfondi de six semaines (du 3 janvier au 11 février) a permit aux élèves d'aborder des sujets comme la perspective, les techniques pour composer un panoramique, les techniques de differentes plans, l'utilisation de couleurs, et beaucoup plus. Nous remercions tous les élèves qui ont participés à ce cours.
Today we would like to share with you a short slide-show, with photos taken during the Panoramics and Painted Murals course with Michel Nadaï.
This course, which ran from January 3rd to February 11th, consisted of an in-depth study on perspective, how to compose a mural, the use of different planes, the use of colors, and much more. A big thank you to everyone who attended this course!
This course, which ran from January 3rd to February 11th, consisted of an in-depth study on perspective, how to compose a mural, the use of different planes, the use of colors, and much more. A big thank you to everyone who attended this course!
We hope you enjoy this slide-show! Bonne visite!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Stirling Castle Palace Project | An Artistic Alliance
Nous avons le plaisir de partager avec vous une video, crée par Historic Scotland, qui montre un aperçu du chantier au Château de Stirling, en Ecosse, où Michel a travaillé sur un projet de restoration sur plus de 5 mois. Vous avez aussi la possibilité de lire un article, également par Historic Scotland, qui a été traduit pour un site français.
We are extremely pleased to present you the film produced by Historic Scotland on the painting work done inside the palace at Stirling Castle.
Michel was invited by John Nevin of Edinburgh to create the designs as well as paint the trompe-l'oeil inside the royal chambers at the Palace at Stirling Castle.
Taking part in refurbishing the Renaissance Palace at Stirling Castle was not only a wonderful experience for him - he felt very honored to have taken part in such a colossal project - it was also a great opportunity for Michel to discover the Scottish people, its culture and its beautiful country. His wife Kyoko and he fell in love with Scotland, which now occupies a very special place in their hearts.
We are extremely pleased to present you the film produced by Historic Scotland on the painting work done inside the palace at Stirling Castle.
Michel was invited by John Nevin of Edinburgh to create the designs as well as paint the trompe-l'oeil inside the royal chambers at the Palace at Stirling Castle.
Taking part in refurbishing the Renaissance Palace at Stirling Castle was not only a wonderful experience for him - he felt very honored to have taken part in such a colossal project - it was also a great opportunity for Michel to discover the Scottish people, its culture and its beautiful country. His wife Kyoko and he fell in love with Scotland, which now occupies a very special place in their hearts.
Labels:
Ecosse,
ornement de style,
Projects,
Scotland,
Stirling Castle,
videos
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
May the peace and joy of the Holiday Season
be with you each day of this New Year!
be with you each day of this New Year!
We wish you a bright, light-filled New Year,
with lots of inspiration and creativity!
with lots of inspiration and creativity!

Michel Nadaï
Monday, December 20, 2010
Moldings and Ornaments painted in Trompe-l'oeil workshop at Atelier Nadaï
We just completed our 4-week long "Moldings and Ornaments painted in Trompe-l'oeil" course, and would like to share with you some photos taken during these past four weeks.
This 4-week class is part of our 5-months program, and is another 'signature' course taught by Michel. Emphasis is on teaching the proper techniques of trompe-l'oeil.
This 4-week class is part of our 5-months program, and is another 'signature' course taught by Michel. Emphasis is on teaching the proper techniques of trompe-l'oeil.
"Teaching the proper techniques is so fundamental", says Michel. This course will help students build a solid foundation that, with time and practice, will result in mastery in the fabulous art of trompe-l'oeil.
We thank all the participants of this year's 4-week course, and look forward to seeing you all again for another fun class! Merci beaucoup et à bientôt! Muchas Gracias ¡Hasta luego!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Formation Faux Bois et Faux Marbre / Wood Graining and Imitation Marble II
Les imitations de matières, tels que le faux bois et le faux marbre, forment une partie importante dans l'apprentissage du métier de peintre en décor. A l'Atelier Nadaï ces techniques sont enseignées dans le cadre de La Formation Complète de Peintre en Décors. Nous vous invitons à voir quelques aperçus de la dernière session.
Here is a short video showing Michel doing various demos during the Wood Graining and Imitation Marble course. This video is far from being perfect, as it was filmed with our digital camera, but we still hope you enjoy watching it!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Wood Graining and Imitation Marble - 2010 session
Here is a slide show with photos taken during our ongoing Decorative Painter's Complete Course.
The photos were taken during the 8-week Wood Graining and Imitation Marble Course, which culminated with techniques on how to paint a Sarrancolin marble.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Art & Techniques of Decorative Painting
Le Grand Prix du Livre
Le livre de
Michel Nadaï, Art et Techniques de la Peinture Décorative, a reçu une
distinction de la Société Nationale des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France :
"Monsieur
Michel Nadaï présente un magnifique ouvrage écrit simultanément en Français et
en Anglais. Il définit la Peinture Décorative comme une invitation au rêve
et même une magie avec l’art du trompe-l’oeil. L’auteur est à la fois
artiste, technicien, artisan et enseignant et son ouvrage est artistique,
technique et didactique. Il nous présente les techniques de base, les
imitations de matières, les marbres, le bois, les pierres et matières
semi-précieuses, et termine sur le trompe-l’oeil, la technique de la perspective
et le panoramique.
Les
professionnels comme les amateurs trouveront un grand intérêt à lire ce livre
car comment ne pas apprécier l’art qui consiste à peindre un morceau de bois
avec un décor bois et à le rendre ainsi plus beau et plus vrai que le bois qui
a servi de support?"
Le Secrétaire
Général de la Société Nationale des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France
Lucien
GIAI-BRUERI
We are very pleased to announce that Michel's book received the 'Grand Prix du Livre' award by the Société Nationale des Meilleurs Ouvirers de France.
We wish to take this opportunity to thank the publisher and his wonderful team who were and are always a delight to work with. And most of all, we wish to thank all of you who purchased Michel's book, for without readers a book would have no real value. MERCI BEAUCOUP!!!
“Michel Nadaï presents us with a magnificent book, written simultaneously in English and in French. He defines Decorative Painting as an invitation to a reverie that becomes even more magical with the art of trompe-l’œil. The author is at the same time an artist, a highly skilled technician, and an instructor, and his book is artistic, technical and informative. He presents us with the basics, then moves on to the imitation of substances, imitation marble, wood graining, semi-precious stones and materials, and concludes with the trompe-l’œil, perspective and painted murals.
Professionals as well as amateurs will find this book very appealing, for how can we not admire an art that consists of graining over a pièce of wood, and creating a rendering that is more beautiful and more real than the actual wood that served as support?”
Le Secrétaire Général de la Société Nationale des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France
Lucien GIAI-BRUERI
Sunday, October 17, 2010
More photos from Scotland
Stirling Castle Palace Project
Greetings!
It is our pleasure to add a new page to our blog today.
We invite you to click on the youtube link below to view more photos in Scotland, while Michel was working at the royal palace at Stirling Castle.
We hope you enjoy the slide show!
Description:
Stirling Castle Palace Project
In this slide show, we can see Michel Nadaï, French master decorative painter, and John Nevin and his staff working inside the king's and queen's apartments at the royal palace at Stirling Castle. John Nevin is the owner of MacKay Decorators, which is the largest painting and decorating company in Scotland. John, who is a multiple award winner, is also the owner of Nevin of Edinburgh.
Michel Nadaï is a world class decorative painter, awarded the life-time title of Best Craftsman of France, and has his own decorative painting school and business, Atelier Nadaï, in the southwest of France. His best-selling bilingual book, Art & Techniques: Decorative Painting, published by Editions Vial, recently awarded the "Grand Prix du Livre" in France.
The idea behind Historic Scotland's colossal project is to bring back Stirling Castle's Royal Palace to its original splendor; consequently, the painting on the walls and ceilings had to reflect decoration in the Renaissance style. Michel Nadaï, who is a master of trompe-l'œil, was given the wonderful task to create the designs for the apartment walls and ceilings, based on the resource materials provided by Historic Scotland. Traditionally made paints and techniques were used to in order to remain with the spirit of the time.
When asked, French master decorative painter Michel Nadaï said that it was a great privilege to work with John Nevin and his staff on this very prestigious project, and that he greatly enjoyed his experience of living and working in Scotland.
In this slide show, we can see Michel Nadaï, French master decorative painter, and John Nevin and his staff working inside the king's and queen's apartments at the royal palace at Stirling Castle. John Nevin is the owner of MacKay Decorators, which is the largest painting and decorating company in Scotland. John, who is a multiple award winner, is also the owner of Nevin of Edinburgh.
Michel Nadaï is a world class decorative painter, awarded the life-time title of Best Craftsman of France, and has his own decorative painting school and business, Atelier Nadaï, in the southwest of France. His best-selling bilingual book, Art & Techniques: Decorative Painting, published by Editions Vial, recently awarded the "Grand Prix du Livre" in France.
The idea behind Historic Scotland's colossal project is to bring back Stirling Castle's Royal Palace to its original splendor; consequently, the painting on the walls and ceilings had to reflect decoration in the Renaissance style. Michel Nadaï, who is a master of trompe-l'œil, was given the wonderful task to create the designs for the apartment walls and ceilings, based on the resource materials provided by Historic Scotland. Traditionally made paints and techniques were used to in order to remain with the spirit of the time.
When asked, French master decorative painter Michel Nadaï said that it was a great privilege to work with John Nevin and his staff on this very prestigious project, and that he greatly enjoyed his experience of living and working in Scotland.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Scotland
These past few months we had the wonderful opportunity to travel and stay in Edinburgh, Scotland for an extended period of time. During our stay, we experienced Scotland's varied climate, which could mean anything from blizzard, snow, heavy rain, gusts of winds, and of course, the famous mist. But Mother Nature was not always harsh with us, and sometimes offered us warm, sunny days. And perhaps thanks to all this snow and rain, we are now rewarded for our patience and are surrounded by lush, green trees and golden fields of barely!
Our journey began in March, when Michel was offered the opportunity to work with Mr. John Nevin, owner of MacKay Decorators and Nevin of Edinburgh, on the Stirling Castle Royal Palace project. This very big scale project actually consists of refurbishing the Royal Palace at Stirling Castle. John Nevin, owns the largest and most prestigious painting and decorating company in Scotland, with branches in both Edinburgh and Perth, and has earned many awards for his outstanding work.
More photos and updates will follow soon. Meanwhile, you can find out more about the project by clicking on the links below:
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