Tole Painting Publications
jule...@intr.net
tole? I'm not much of a painter.
I don't own any beginner "books," however you may find the following
publications useful:
Delta Guide to Decorative Painting by Bobbie Pearcy
The best beginner resource I have on hand (someone else may know of a better
one). It covers surface preparation, tools, glossary, strokework basics,
blending techniques, patterns & tracing, color theory including a Delta
Ceramcoat color chart, project finishing, design tips and a section entitled
"read this when you think you can't." No designs per se, but a good starting
point. (40 Pages b/w with color chart)
Publisher: Tru-Color Systems, 64 East Marion St, Danville, IN 46122
(317)745-7535. (My 1992 edition is listed as $8.00)
Wood Strokes Magazine
In general they include good color photos of the various steps and techniques.
The designs are easy to follow. Great for beginners. More experienced tole
painters will get bored easily. I've made several of their projects, but as my
painting ability, and confidence increased I have moved on to other magazines.
Subscription: (as of 1994 1year=6issues=$23.70, insert cards show $14.97) EGW
Publishing Co. Wood Strokes, 333 Centennial Pkwy., P.O. Box 58377, Boulder CO,
80322
Better Homes and Gardens Decorative Woodcrafts
One of my favorite. They usually have a good blend of "quick" (aka easy) and
more involved designs by the popular published designers. More trendy, and
country/victorian house decorations and things to put on shelves style (rather
than purist canvas stuff). Each issue contains a pull-out full size shaded
pattern insert, and good step-by-step photos for the "featured" technique in the
individual projects.
Subscription Info: (as of 1995 1 year=6 issues=$29.97, but you can often find
new subscription discount cards in a newsstand copy for $19.97) Decorative
Woodcrafts, P.O. Box 54696, Boulder CO 80322, (800)477-4271.
PaintWorks
Another one of the Good Ones. Similar design styling as Decorative Woodcrafts.
The "major" designers frequently contribute here. Sometimes their designs are
for oils as well, however they are usually easily adapted to acrylics. The
patterns are not always full size, and are printed on pullout newspring 11x17
size in the center section. But it is worth a subscription.
Subscription Info: (as of 1995, 1year=6 issues=$23.70, again check postcard
inserts for discount). All Americal Crafts Inc, PaintWorks, P.O. Box 388, Mt.
Morris, IL 61054.
Tole World
Typically more advanced designs, including Hindelopen and other traditional Tole
techniques, not just the country bunnies and duckies. They include a "shutter
study" photo section for you to design and try your own painting. I have a
subscription to this one too, but I haven't done any projects from them yet. (A
combination of time / newer subscription). They also have a pull out full-size
center pattern section.
Subscription Info: (as of 1995, 1year=6issues(?)=$23.70) Tole World, P.O. Box
52995, Boulder CO 80322.
Decorative Artist's Workbook
They typically have easier designs than Tole World, but also cater to other
types of painting such as oils, watercolors, etc... They also typically have
alternative surfaces to paint on, such as tin boxes, canvas, artists papers
etc... not just your scroll-saw cut wood patterns. Again, they have a pull-opt
full size "design insert". I really like this one too.
Subscription Info: (as of 1995, 1year=6 issues=$19.00) Decorative Artist's
Workbook, P.O. Box 3285, Harlan, IA 51593-2465.
Painting
Good for Beginners, They have a 1-2-3 step project photo for their projects.
Painting techniques other than tole (watercolor, oils...) are covered too. They
have a very diverse range of pattern styles (country, victorian, hindelopen...)
You never know what will be in the next issue. I'm planning on letting this one
expire (you can only read so many).
Subscription Info: (as of 1995, 1 year=6issues=$19.95) Painting, P.O. Box 5007,
Des Plaines, IL 60017 (800) 444-0441.