The acknowledged queen of decorative painting has a gift for those who love to pick up the brush: more than 200 of her most striking patterns. These are the most popular designs among Priscilla Hauser’s many students, and they include florals, fruit, folk art, garden motifs, baskets and other containers, animals, and holiday ideas. It’s a goldmine…and there’s still more, because Priscilla supplies plenty of information on using and transferring the patterns; choosing supplies; and
mastering such techniques as shading and highlighting, blending, changing colors, and finishing the piece. She also covers preparing and painting on different surfaces, from glass and fabric to wood and metal. Finally, each pattern is painted by Priscilla in color, to inspire fellow painters.

Anyone who has ever fantasized about having the skills to paint beautiful decorative home projects, can now make those dreams come true. Priscilla Hauser has successfully developed a technique that allows novices to learn her charming style, effortlessly. Hauser begins by teaching the most basic brush strokes, and how to use them to build a basecoat to shade and highlight until a lusciously executed design emerges. Nothing could be simpler, or less intimidating. She discusses preparing the surface, brush loading and double-loading, undercoating, stripping, washes, and other effects, and provides plenty of helpful worksheets plus quick tricks for creating intriguing background finishes. Beginners will quickly and confidently master such projects as bright sunflowers and daisies on a watering can, lemons on tableware, a bird-embellished frame, and a butterfly-covered candle lantern.