Tole Painting (for short) was popularized, beginning in the '70s by Priscilla Hauser. I took a week-long class from Priscilla when she began offering on-the-road seminars and instantly fell in love with Tole Painting. I went from absolutely no knowledge about painting to a painter in 5 long, work-filled and fun-filled days.
Priscilla taught us how to make the Basic Strokes on which she bases all of the stroke work used constantly in Tole Painting. We made the Basic stroke, “S” strokes (both left and right), polywogs (both left and right) and several others. The first evening, she told us to go back to our rooms and paint at least 100 of each stroke and we would be able to do them correctly. Taking her at her word, I did just that and was launched on the road to a love affair with painting that continues to this day.
In Tole Painting, you learn to paint fruit, flowers, leaves and about anything else by laying in colors and then blending them unitl the illusion of contour is achieved. We began learning the art in oils which lend themselves easily to this approach. Now I work most often in acrylics for the convenience of the medium, but I still rely on the Basic Strokes which by now are instinctive.
We were also taught to “double load” the brush, accomplished by stroking one corner of a bright brush along one side of, say, the dark value you are going to use. Then you stroke the other corner into a lighter value. When both corners are loaded with paint, you stroke the brush quickly over and over the same clean spot on your palette. This makes a blended color in the middle and lets you lay in an area that has it's colors already blended and keeps one from over blending and making “mud” on your work. It works great in tight areas and is one of the techniques I have used more that any other.
Over the years and through many, many seminars, I found Priscilla's techniques to be the best foundation for working with other teachers and learning other techniques that I could have had.
If I had one wish for painters, both novice and experienced, it would be that they could have the training I was given when I started painting. In every class I have taught, I have tried to pass on Priscilla's “spark” to my students. Her spark has been given to students in many states for almost 35 years now and I hope will continue for many more.
To help you catch this spark, we will discuss Tole and Decorative painting and it's roots in the future.
If you would like to get a very good basic book written by Priscilla, I would recommend this one found on Amazon:
Priscilla Hauser's Book of Decorative Painting
And if you are wanting to get started marketing your artwork, you should definitely read this one:Art Marketing E-Book
Please remember to stop by our forum and let us know what is on your mind!
Thanks for joining us!
Paula Devore
Painting Editor
