Decorative Painting
Decorative painting is a versatile art form focused on enhancing functional objects and spaces, including walls, floors, and various household items made from materials like wood, metal, and glass. Distinct from fine art, decorative painting often emphasizes practical application and can be learned with minimal training. This folk art has deep cultural roots, with unique styles and techniques evolving across different societies throughout history. For instance, German Fraktur and Scandinavian Rosemaling reflect specific cultural motifs, while stenciling was prevalent during the colonial period in America.
The practice includes a variety of techniques such as sponging, marbling, and trompe-l'œil, allowing for creative expression in both small crafts and large-scale murals. As decorative painting has gained popularity, contemporary trends like Donna Dewberry's one-stroke technique and faux finishes have emerged, appealing to both hobbyists and professionals. This art form not only serves as a creative outlet but also offers potential career opportunities in collaboration with interior designers or in selling decorative pieces at markets. For those interested in exploring decorative painting further, various resources and organizations provide education and inspiration in this enduring craft.
Decorative Painting
History
Decorative painting is loosely defined as the craft or art of decorating floors, ceilings, and walls and just about any object made of wood, metal, fabric, glass, or clay that would be found in or outside the home. Although some people claim that all art is decorative, this category is distinguished from the fine art of painting on the basis that the objects painted are usually functional and that the techniques can typically be accomplished with little training.
Decorative painting is a folk art. Every culture throughout history has developed unique techniques, motifs, or styles that have become strongly associated with the people and time period. As with German Fraktur or Celtic knots, the designs often have religious or spiritual significance. In the case of heraldry, the designs painted on banners or above mantles denote a person's familial or social status.
Many of the styles and techniques that have been revived today are European folk art traditions brought to America in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Stenciling was common during the colonial period. The original stenciled fruits, flowers, or farm animal motifs are often discovered after layers of wallpaper are removed in historic houses. Stenciling was revived in the twentieth century along with the popularity of "country" décor.
Amish, Mennonite, and German families who settled in Pennsylvania and the surrounding regions continued their tradition of Fraktur painting, in which stylized tulips, hearts, and birds inspired by German manuscripts were used to decorate wooden chairs, cradles, ceramic pitchers, kitchen tiles, and many other household items.
Scandinavians, who settled heavily in the Midwest, continued to hand down Rosemaling, a style of painting ornate roses and other floral designs. Russian immigrants brought along the Zhostovo style of painting flowers and fruits on black-lacquered trays.
Other decorative arts that have been revived include ceramic painting, glass "reverse painting," and Tole, or painting on tin.
Large scale decorative paintings include murals and trompe-d'oeil, which are paintings that look so much like what they are depicting that they fool the viewer (the term is French for "deceives the eye"). Decorative painting techniques, combing, marbling, distressing, sponging, spattering, and crackling are often applied to unfinished walls and furniture.
Additional supplies necessary for specific techniques:
- Stenciling: stencils or acetate for new stencils and a craft knife, liquid adhesive spray or masking tape
- Fabric painting: frame
- Stamping: sponges, pre-cut shapes, or pieces of foam and a craft knife
- Combing: metal combs or other tools
- Wall textures: sprays, paint kits, tools, wallpaper paste and more
Techniques
Each style of decorative painting requires specific techniques.
Regardless of the technique you decide to try, select the right brush and type of paint for the job. Acrylic paint is best for novices because it dries quickly and is easy to clean. Practice basic brushstrokes on recycled paper. Then, experiment with colors, techniques, and brushstrokes. Save the samples to consult later on.
Start with small projects. Protect work surfaces and surrounding floor. If required, prepare the surface. Measure twice. Always test a new design, paint, or technique before attempting a final project. This applies especially to walls, fine fabrics, or items that are irreplaceable.
Be prepared to cover mistakes. Wood and metal can be sanded, if necessary.
Unless intentional blending is desired, only apply new layers of paint when other layers are thoroughly dry. When mixing paint, always add the dark color to the lighter color, rather than the other way around. Be sure to clean brushes thoroughly and carefully immediately after painting.
Trends
Donna Dewberry's television program, One-Stroke Painting (later The Donna Dewberry Show), has revived an old technique and generated an entire line of related craft products. Many courses taught through craft stores promote the one-stroke technique.
Wall finishes that emulate Old World styles and techniques, including Venetian plaster, crackle finishes, marbling, glazing, and faux finishes are popular, as are interior murals and trompe-l'oeil paintings. Popular faux finishes include leather and malachite.
Decorative Painting for Fun vs. Profit
Decorative painting expertise can open many doors for careers or extra income. Talented artists can work with interior designers, find employment with the paint or craft industries, or seek out unusual work, such as painting carousel horses or movie set displays. Specialists can perform restorative work or paint new designs in commercial buildings or homes, while craftspeople can sell painted trays, vases, or any number of decorative objects at craft fairs, home decorating stores, boutiques, and other retail outlets.
Learning More
Organizations
DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum <https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/art-museums/wallace-museum>
International Decorative Artisans League <https://www.decorativeartisans.org/>
Society of Decorative Painters <https://decorativepainters.org/>
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum <https://vesterheim.org/>
Books
Better Homes and Gardens. The Biggest Book of Decorative Painting. Des Moines: Better Homes and Gardens, 2006.
Decorative Painting for the First Time. New York: Sterling/Chapelle, 2005.
Ebben, Katie. Wall Effects: A Comprehensive Guide to Decorating, Disguising and Transforming Your Walls. New York: Sterling, 2007
Hall, Katrina, and Denise Westcott Taylor. The Complete Book of Home Stenciling. San Diego: Thunder Bay Press, 2001.
McNaughton, Maureen. Brushstroke Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Decorative Painting Brushstrokes. Cincinnati: North Light Books, 2006.