Folk Art Fusion: Americana: Learn to Draw and Paint Charming American Folk Art with a Colorful, Modern Twist

By Joy Laforme

Fans of Charles Wysocki, Mary Engelbreit, Grandma Moses, and folk art in general will fall in love with this guide to painting, organized by seasons.

Featuring projects that instruct artists of all skill levels how to draw and paint subjects that include quaint homes, pretty patterns, colorful gardens, picturesque farms, beautiful birds, and textured florals, this book features American-themed folk art infused with a modern twist.


Beginning with an overview of what folk art is, followed by introductory topics like color, tools and materials, and drawing and painting techniques, Folk Art Fusion: Americana also includes sixteen simple step-by-step projects done in approachable and popular mediums. Rounding out the book is a gallery of folk-art pieces sure to inspire lovers of all things Americana.


Simultaneously fresh and nostalgic, Folk Art Fusion: Americana draws on America's rich artistic tradition and heritage and provides a fun, accessible take on creating beloved scenes from the heartland.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Oct 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781633224643

Book preview

What is American Folk Art?

American folk art, like its other folk art relatives, relies on experiences, nostalgia, and heritage rather than formal training. Originally, folk art was created by craftsmen and workers during the 1700s and 1800s, and it has evolved in contemporary times as art that truly celebrates culture and tradition around the world. American folk art was used to convey progress and joy during civil and political unrest in American culture. To look at old American folk artists’ work is to look through a telescope into another world.

Many American folk-art pieces remain unnamed because their creators were everyday people, not widely known, and often completely unrecognized for their artistic talent. American folk artists were skilled, working-class people who entertained their trade by day and their creative talent by night.

Tools & Materials

Here are some tools and materials that will be useful for the projects in this book.

PAPER

I recommend using a cold-pressed cotton paper, 140-lb. weight or more. Thick paper is better for these projects, because it will hold up to several layers of paint and won’t warp. If your paper has some texture, that’s even better. Texture will give your completed pieces a beautiful, natural feel. Choose any paper size you feel comfortable working with, such as 8¹/2 x 11 or 11 x 14.

Although many American folk-art enthusiasts use paper, you can paint any of the projects in this book onto different surfaces, such as a wooden decorative bowl, a reclaimed decorative cutting board, or even a flat piece of furniture like a buffet or blanket chest. Many folk artists apply their artwork to everyday surfaces like these. If you do this, be sure to sand and treat the surface before painting.

PAINTS

American folk artists are known for using many different types of paint and mediums to achieve their desired textures. Acrylic paints, as well as gouache acrylic paints, will work well for these projects.

I recommend using a paint like acryla gouache, which is an acrylic polymer. It has rich pigment and produces bright colors. It also comes in lighter, more opaque colors, which helps when layering a light color over a dark surface. You can find acryla gouache at your local arts-and-crafts store.

Whatever paint you decide to use, just be sure that it is not too thin and that it can be used over layers of other colors and still produce a nice pigment.

PENCILS & ERASERS

You will need a few regular pencils for tracing and sketching. A simple #2 pencil will do. Your pencil sketches should be light to avoid showing through in your finished work.

You will also need a good eraser. Choose one that won’t show eraser marks.

PASTEL PENCILS

For gradients, texture, and small details such as flowers, fauna, and people, I recommend using pastel pencils. Caran d’Ache makes excellently pigmented pastel pencils that