Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
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.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 55 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is one of the best books I have seen on how to paint for the inexperienced but eager artist. It features an endless variety of terrific projects to suit anyone's taste. The wonderfully explicit, easy to follow and well illustrated directions make creating the projects a breeze with designs for all levels.
The book starts with a list of both basic and "wish list" supplies. It then helps you choose the right brushes and gives some great tips on caring for them. Then there is advice on choosing paint, keeping it fresh and how to tell when it is dry. There is a large section on mixing color and color schemes as well.
The essentials of brush loading, basic brushstrokes and blending are next. The author guides you through each step with detailed illustrations including the best section on creating basic brushstrokes I have ever seen. I found the learning from your mistakes section invaluable in helping me refine my technique. Practical advice and great tips here abound here. Surface preparation is also discussed here giving details on preparing wood, tinware, paper and glass.
A wide variety of projects follow including brushstroke designs, leaves, ribbons, water drops, fruit, vegetables, flowers, lettering, faux finishes and Trompe l'oeil. There are even techniques for working with patterns and information on giving your projects great finishing touches. The instructions are excellent; they are both written and illustrated step-by-step. There is also a large full-color picture of each finished project. In many cases there are also several versions of a project, such as beginner, intermediate and advanced versions of making an apple. I also love that the projects show swatches of each color used and that brand names are not listed for the colors. This makes choosing matching color easier and it saves money because you don't have to buy a certain brand of paint to do the project. Some of my favorite projects include a daisy tray, forget-me-not candle holder, pear saltbox and mushroom sign.
There are helpful template patterns for all the projects as well as a list of suppliers. Whether you're starting out or have experience with decorative painting this is the book for you.
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
We used this book as a course guide in an Adult Ed painting class--it is very well done, easy to understand and contains many wonderful projects to copy or adapt to your own taste. By using a piece of acetate over the "stroke" photographs, or preferably using a xerox copy of the stroke pages (so you don't ruin your book), you can easily perfect a stroke or "teach yourself" with this book. I have several other books in my decorative painting library, but this is the one I refer to the most often. I recommend it highly.
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have ordered several decorative painting books and this is by far the best. It builds the skills and confidence of a beginner with attractive projects and still challenges an advanced painter. Step by step instructions are given for each new skill with great pictures. It is comprehensive, well written and Jackie's personality and love for painting comes through on every page. Well worth every penny.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Decorative painting book
This is a fantastic book to learn step by step how to paint things like fruit, flowers and leaves quickly and easily. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Katherine Thompson
knowledgeable book
rec'd this book, it has a lot of step by step pictures and very detailed. I am glad I bought this one and at such a great price
Published 3 months ago by Beverley Atkins
The Big Book of Decorative Painting
I really like this book, it is very helpful for new painters. I am very glad I got it.
Published 9 months ago by Happy Painter
Outstanding
I really believe this is the "bible" of decorative painting and should be in anyone's library as reference - even those who may art journal, etc. Outstanding
Published on July 21, 2009 by Journi
Tole Painting
I really like Jackie Shaw. She has loads of info on how to paint and I'll keep my copy.She is an artist that I have books of hers that are 20yrs plus old. You'll like her teaching.
Published on June 11, 2008 by noiseynana
All Levels
As an artist learning something new I was looking for a basic book explaining all terms and projects showing the author to be truly talented. Read more
Published on February 8, 2006 by artmind
A Must Have for any Painter or Wannabe Painter!
I have a ceramics business and got tired of plain ol painting and wanted to expand when I found this book. It has taught me so much and my sales are way up! Read more
Published on April 19, 2003 by Paula Lang
I've seen plenty and this is the best
Jackie Shaw does an excellent job of showcasing all that is possible in decorative painting. Her examples of stroke work apply across the board for any kind of painting. Read more
Published on April 15, 2003 by C. Williams
The Best!
This book has it all -- clear introductory information (materials, workspace, etc.), wonderful stroke instructions, projects, patterns, finishes, and much more. Read more
Published on September 19, 2002 by "cablecarlover"
Simply the best....
I am just beginning to venture into decorative painting. This wonderful book answers every question I had. Read more
Published on January 30, 2001
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Decorative painting is one of the many branches of artistic expression accomplished with paint. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
doubleloaded brush, antiquing glaze medium, sideloaded brush, umber oil paint thinned, dipped crescent, thin color washes, crescent strokes, sideload the brush, casserole carrier, scroll strokes, tacky size, brushstroke designs, decorated tinware, comma strokes, use the liner brush, picture morgue, burnt umber oil paint, dry basecoat, floated color, brushstroke work, flag pointing, entire berry, painting instructions, basecoat color, leaf stroke Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Taffy Cream, Midnite Green, Blend Extender, Moon Yellow, Burgundy Wine, Burnt Orange, Liver of Sulphur, Black Forest Green, Cranberry Wine, Ebony Black, Glorious Gold, Advanced Roses, Clear Antiquing Glaze Medium, Olive Green, Rookwood Red, Advanced Dogwood, Advanced Vegetables, Light Avocado, Snow White, Advanced Cherries, Advanced Pears, Cadmium Red, Colonial Green, Cool Neutral, Jade Green New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Decorative painting is one of the many branches of artistic expression accomplished with paint. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
doubleloaded brush, antiquing glaze medium, sideloaded brush, umber oil paint thinned, dipped crescent, thin color washes, crescent strokes, sideload the brush, casserole carrier, scroll strokes, tacky size, brushstroke designs, decorated tinware, comma strokes, use the liner brush, picture morgue, burnt umber oil paint, dry basecoat, floated color, brushstroke work, flag pointing, entire berry, painting instructions, basecoat color, leaf stroke Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Taffy Cream, Midnite Green, Blend Extender, Moon Yellow, Burgundy Wine, Burnt Orange, Liver of Sulphur, Black Forest Green, Cranberry Wine, Ebony Black, Glorious Gold, Advanced Roses, Clear Antiquing Glaze Medium, Olive Green, Rookwood Red, Advanced Dogwood, Advanced Vegetables, Light Avocado, Snow White, Advanced Cherries, Advanced Pears, Cadmium Red, Colonial Green, Cool Neutral, Jade Green New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 39
books:
See all 39 books this book cites
3
books
cite this book:
- Snow White (Read with Me (Make Believe Ideas)) by Nick Page on 5 pages
- Folk Art (Country Crafts Series) by Rh Value Publishing in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Instant furniture refinishing and other crafty practices by George Grotz on page 94, and Back Matter
- Antique Furniture by Rh Value Publishing in Back Matter
- Staining and Polishing by Charles H. Hayward in Back Matter
See all 39 books this book cites
- Careers in Art (McGraw-Hill Professional Careers) by Blythe Camenson in Back Matter
- Careers in Art (VGM Professional Careers) by Blythe Camenson in Back Matter
- The Best of Decorative Painting by Greg Albert in Back Matter
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