The Big Book of Decorative Painting: How to Paint If You Don'T Know How and How to Improve If You Do

This volume clearly and thoroughly explains the methods of adorning objects with stylized flowers, fruit, scrolls, and other organic designs. After a full explanation of the preliminaries (color mixing, brush control, basic strokes, surface preparation), Jackie Shaw walks you step by step through all manner of decorative painting motifs, from the simplest comma-stroke leaf to the most elaborate floral sprays. Each motif is covered in three skill levels, which can be mixed and matched; a beginner, for example, can utilize the easy techniques on advanced-level patterns. Projects are many and varied and include wood, tinware, and glass objects. The Big Book of Decorative Painting is a marvelous introduction to the techniques, and accomplished painters will also find much information that is of use.