The Brushstroke Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Decorative Painting Brushstrokes

This book has more information on brushstrokes and liner details than the last four acrylic painting books I've read put together.

This beautifully illustrated book covers the basics such as materials and brush loading etc (Maureen paints with two colours on the brush). She covers round and flat brushes and shows the brushstrokes in detail and how they can be used. There is a section showing some common mistakes and how to avoid these, as well as sections on borders and floral compositions (with patterns). I liked the clear text, illustrations and the spiral binding of the book which allowed it to lay flat while working through the "lessons". The book is a good guide for those with some painting experience and is an excellent reference book.

I have not done tole painting in a long time, I find that this book is going to help me review and practice all of the strokes that I will need to start tole painting again. The book is very well illistrated and instructions are very clear.

I already do one stroke painting and found this book a great addition to what I already know. For the beginner who's never done Decorative painting, a few hands on classes and this book and you're good to go. For the artist who's already familiar with painting and strokes (although this book teaches you strokes) it's a wonderful addition full of ideas and techniques.

Painters who want a quick, photo-filled guide to brush strokes and their results will want to keep THE BRUSHSTROKE HANDBOOK: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DECORATIVE PAINTING WITH BRUSHSTROKES close at hand. It covers different strokes, effects, placement of colors, rounds on brushes, and combinations which provide special results. Step-by-step directions tell how to recreate the clear color examples. An outstanding presentation indeed. Diane C. Donovan, Editor California Bookwatch