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Page 1

DECORATIVE
PAINTING #9407RD

UPDATED

BAS
ASIIC STROKES WORKBOOK
BY DONNA DEWBERRY

An Updated Guide to One-Stroke Technique

BY PLAID

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Learning the Basics is the Foundation of the

One-Stroke Technique
This book is intended to teach you how to use FolkArt paints and the various sizes of One-Stroke
brushes to create the beautiful One-Stroke flowers, fruits, birds, and bees. Once you know how to load the
brush and have mastered the various strokes, you can use that knowledge to paint a flower or an entire
bouquet.
The step-by-step photos show how to use each brush to create your favorite flowers and leaves. These
techniques can be used with any size brush to create small to large flowers and leaves. The Painting
Worksheets show each stroke you need to master, but even more useful, is the fact that they are the exact
size as I painted them. For example, if the instructions say to load the 3/4" flat brush, the Worksheets
show exactly the size stroke that the 3/4" flat brush makes. You can put a piece of plastic on top of these
worksheets and practice making these exact strokes. You can master these techniques faster this way and
know exactly what size flower or leaf each brush can create.

M EET THE A RTIST

Donna Dewberry

One-Stroke Certification

Donna Dewberry has been involved

with arts and crafts all of her married life
over 25 years. After many evenings of
painting at her dining room table, she
developed a technique for stress-free
painting that became the basis for the One
Stroke technique and her series of One
Stroke painting books.
Donna has kept the vision of the important basic things needed for a happy and
successful life her family, her religion,
and her painting. Its true in painting, as
well, that there are some very important
basic techniques that every painter needs
to know for success. So this book is a
basic review of the strokes Donna uses to
accomplish her One-Stroke Technique.

For information on Donnas three-andhalf-day seminar, where she teaches her

painting techniques as well as how to
start a business in decorative painting and
provides tips for being a good teacher,
how to demo in stores, and how to get
your painting published, contact her one
of these ways:

Need technical assistance using a Plaid product? Cant find a particular product at a
retailer near you? Our Consumer Advisory Team can help. Give them a call at 1-800842-4197. You can also contact us on line at www.plaidonline.com. While youre
there, check out the great crafting ideas, information on Plaid products, and keep up
with the latest crafting news.

By mail:
Dewberry Designs
125C Robin Road
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
By phone:
407-260-2508
By fax:
407-831-0658
On the Web:
www.onestroke.com (certification and
seminar information)
www.thestrokingedge.com (complete
One-Stroke resource)
By e-mail:
dewberry@magicnet.net

Disclaimer: The information in this instruction book is presented in good faith, but no warranty is given, nor results guaranteed, nor is
freedom from any patent to be inferred. Since we have no control over physical conditions surrounding the application of information
herein contained, Plaid Enterprises, Inc. disclaims any liability for untoward results.
IMPORTANT: Please be sure to thoroughly read the instructions for all products used to complete projects in this book, paying particular
attention to all cautions and warnings shown for that product to ensure their proper
and safe use.

PLAID ENTERPRISES, INC.

Copyright: All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any
form without permission in writing, except by reviewer, who may in reviewing this
publication, quote brief passages in a magazine or newspaper.

NORCROSS, GA 30092-3500
www.plaidonline.com
Printed in U.S.A.
2000, Plaid Enterprises, Inc.
4th Printing 8/01

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Page 3

One Stroke Supplies

 FolkArt Paints

The FolkArt family of paints makes painting fun and easy. The qualities such as blendability, smooth flow, and quick drying make the paint perfect for the One-Stroke technique.
Because FolkArt paints are acrylic-based, cleanup is easy with soap and water.
FolkArt Acrylic Colors are high quality bottle acrylic paints. Their rich and
creamy formulation and long open time make them perfect for decorative painting.
They are offered in a huge range of wonderful, pre-mixed colors and in gleaming metallic shades. Cleanup is easy with soap and water.
FolkArt Artists Pigments are pure colors that are perfect for mixing your own
shades. Their intense colors and creamy consistency are wonderful for blending, shading, and highlighting. When used with mediums they work much like oils.
FolkArt Sparkles are paints that add subtle iridescence or bright shimmer. They
are available in a variety of bright and subtle colors.

 FolkArt Mediums
FolkArt Floating Medium #868 helps paint flow more smoothly, thus aiding your
brush strokes. It should be used when you are painting on any surface that is not sleek.
It is especially helpful when painting on walls. Use this medium for painting shadows or
for watercolor effects.
FolkArt Glass & Tile Medium #869 gives more tooth to non-porous surfaces and
increases the durability of paint on glass, tile, and tin. Use it to undercoat the design
(unless youre painting on etched glass; then an undercoat isnt necessary) and as a sealer.
FolkArt Textile Medium is mixed with paint to create a permanent, washable
bond with fabric.

 FolkArt One Stroke Brushes

With Donna Dewberrys easy One Stroke techniques, three brushes are all that are
needed to create all the various designs a flat, a scruffy and a liner. You can paint
home accessories such as boxes, flowerpots, and small furniture pieces with the standard-size brushes. Tiny projects such as watches and mini boxes can be painted with
the Mini Brushes; and large wall murals can be painted with the Large Size brushes.
Standard-size Brushes:
3/4" flat #1176
Scruffy Brush #1172
Brush Set #1171 includes a 3/4" flat, #12 flat, and #2 script liner. Brush Set #1177
includes a #8 flat and a #10 flat.
Large-size Brushes:
Specially made for painting large designs on furniture and walls.
1" flat #1184
1-1/2" flat #1189
Large Scruffy Brush #1190
Mini Brushes:
Mini Scruffy Brush #1174
Mini Set #1173 includes a #6 flat, a #2 flat, and a #1 script liner.
Sponge painters #1195:
Die cut sponges made for basecoating, sponging, or stenciling.

 Reusable Teaching Guides

Optional: Use these unique laminated worksheets to practice your strokes. To learn
and practice, paint right on top of the illustrations and follow the strokes, then wipe
clean and paint again! The blank Reusable Teaching Guide is a great way to practice
once youve mastered the strokes with the illustrated guides.

 Miscellaneous Supplies

 FolkArt Finishes
I like clear, non-yellowing spray sealers best, so when I want a matte finish I use
FolkArt ClearCote Matte Acrylic Sealer. For a glossy finish, I use FolkArt
ClearCote Hi-Shine Glaze. (A spray sealer is especially suitable for metal surfaces, to
eliminate the chance of streaking.)
On wood and other porous surfaces, a brush-on waterbase varnish, such as FolkArt
Artists Varnish, can be used. Artists Varnish is available in 2 oz., 4 oz., and 8 oz. bottles in gloss, satin, and matte sheens.
Designs on glass can be sealed with FolkArt Glass & Tile Medium.
3

Tracing paper, for tracing patterns from

the pattern sheet
Transfer paper and stylus, for transferring patterns
Brush Plus Brush Cleaner, for cleaning brushes
Brush Basin, for rinsing brushes
Paper towels, for blotting brushes

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U SING A FLAT BRUSH

The flat brushes are the most-used brushes. They are the
brushes that are used to paint the majority of the elements of
the design. You will paint the flowers, fruit, leaves, and
branches with the flat brushes. The One-Stroke flat brushes
are available in the following sizes: #2 and #6 (mini); #12 and
3/4" (standard); 1" and 1-1/2" flat (large size).
Chisel edge
Bristle

Ferrule

Handle

Double Loading A Flat Brush

This technique is used for the standard size brushes and the large size brushes.

1. Wet your brush and gently tap on a

paper towel to remove excess water.
Pick up paint by dipping one corner of
the brush in one color.

2. Dip the opposite corner of the brush in

another color. This will form triangles at
each corner of the brush.

3. Stroke brush back and forth on a clean

spot on your palette to blend the paint.

Triple Loading

4. Flip brush over to the other side and

push it away from you, blending on the
same spot on the palette. Be sure to
keep the colors in the same spot on the
blending area of the palette.

5. Notice how a correctly loaded and

blended brush should look. The paint
fills the brush 3/4ths of the way up the
brush, but does not get into the ferrule
of the brush. When brush is loaded correctly, your strokes should feel as
though the bristles glide. If the brush is
coarse or splits, you do not have enough
paint on the brush. Reload the brush as
needed, but do not blend on the palette
after each reload or your paint will start
to become muddy in your brush, with
the colors blending together.
4

To add a third color to brush, first

double load as instructed. If your
third color is a light shade, load that
color on the light side of brush. If it
is a dark shade, pick up on dark
side of brush.

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U SING A FLAT BRUSH

Floating
Floating Medium added to the brush will
make the paint glide easier on the surface and create the proper consistency
for the paint. Using it will help keep your
brush moist.

1. Dip your loaded brush into the Floating

Medium every third or fourth stroke.

2. Stroke into the blending area on your

palette to blend.

Double Loading the Mini Brushes

This side-loading technique is used when
loading the #2, #6, #8 and #10 brushes.
Because the mini brushes are so narrow,
they cant be loaded like the standard
and large brushes.

1. Dampen the brush and blot on paper

towel to dry. Dip the entire bristle section of brush into the darker paint puddle. Pull brush out of puddle to smooth
paint into bristles.

Side Loading Brushes

The standard and larger brushes can be
side-loaded by pulling the edge into the
third color.

Scruffy
brush

1-1/2" flat
1" flat

Not actual size

5

2. Pull one edge of the brush along the

edge of the lighter paint puddle.

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U SING A FLAT BRUSH

Painting Rosebuds
See the Roses Worksheet on pages 8 & 9. Various size brushes will make roses of different sizes. The worksheet shows the size
roses that can be made with the #12 flat brush and the 3/4" flat brush.

1. Determine the width of the

rose bud by making 2 parallel lines to use as your
guidelines. Double or triple
load your brush with a dark
color and a highlight color
(white or yellow).

2. Position the brush so that

the light color of paint is at
the right side of brush.
Make the top of the bud
first. Position the chisel
edge of the brush at the left
guideline.

3. Pull brush into a curve, ending at the opposite guideline

with the brush up on the
chisel edge.

4. Make the lower U-shaped

section of the bud by starting on the chisel at the left
guideline.

5. Pull brush in a curve to

opposite guideline, ending
on the chisel edge of the
brush. Make another layer
of the bottom stroke, positioning stroke just slightly
lower than the first.

6. To make the calyx, double

load the same flat brush
with your leaf color and
highlight color. Start with
the chisel edge at the base
of the bud.

7. Lean and pull the brush

and lead with the lighter
edge of brush as you pull
stroke along side of bud.
Do not bend the wrist, but
pull arm.

8. End the calyx on the chisel

edge as you lift the edge of
brush.

Painting Roses
1. Double or triple load your brush. Make one shell-shaped
petal of the rose at a time. Start stroke with the lighter colors
to the outside.
2. Wiggle and pull the brush as you pivot the brush into a
curve. You will have a slightly scalloped outer edge.
continued on next page

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PAINTING R OSES

3. End the stroke on the chisel edge to

complete the first petal.

4. Make some guideline dots in a circle to

help you determine the positioning of
the five outer petals. Overlap each petal
onto the previous one.

5. Paint the five shell-shaped petals to

complete the outer skirt of the rose.

6. Next, paint a rose bud in the center of

these outer petals. Make the top part of
the bud, overlapping it onto outer petal
#1.

7. Next, paint the bottom stroke of the

rose bud.

8. To begin painting the inner row of

petals, touch the brush at the right of
the rose bud. Make another shellshaped petal here.

9. Make another shell-shaped petal on the

left side of the rose bud.

10.Continue adding the shell-shaped

petals below the bud until you have
painted four petals.

11.Clean up the bottom of the bud by restroking over the bottom stroke.

12. Paint a comma stroke on each side of

the bud, ending on the chisel.
13. Make a comma stroke just under the
bud for the last petal of the rose.

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Page 8

Push, wiggle, and slide to

create the shell-shaped petal.

ROSE W ORKSHEET
1

sta
rt

en

5
3

Place bud in
center of outer
skirt of rose.

Smaller rose made with a #12 flat brush.

Load #12 brush with Berry Wine and Wicker White

To finish, paint comma

strokes in center.

2nd layer of skirt

Rose Bud
Use 3/4" flat brush
loaded with Berry Wine
and Wicker White.

Push, wiggle, and slide to create the shell-shaped petal.

start
start

end

Make top of
bud first.

start
end

Large rose made with 3/4" flat brush.

Load brush with Berry Wine and Wicker White.
end

Make
bottom
stroke to
complete
bud.

Make 5 petals
for outer skirt.

Make 4 petals for second

row of shell-shaped petals.

Re-stroke bottom
of rose bud to
clean up before
adding comma
strokes.

2
4

3
4
3

Finish center by making three

comma strokes at each side
and below bud.

Daisy
start
Push
and lift
to complete
petal
end

Load #12 flat brush with Wicker White

Pounce center
with a small
scruffy brush
that is loaded
with Green
Forest and
School Bus
Yellow.

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Pansy

Page 9

ROSE & PANSY W ORKSHEET

Wiggle

1
1

start

end

Load 3/4" flat brush

with Dioxazine Purple
and wicker White.

Individual
petals

Bottom Petals
Make 5 overlapping
petals

rt

end

sta

Load #12 brush

with Thicket
and School Bus
Yellow.
Make these on
the chisel end of
brush.

touch and slide

Load 3/4" flat with Dioxazine Purple and Sch. Bus Yellow.

Dot School Bus Yellow with handle for center.

Calyx
Rose Bud

start
end

Load #12 flat brush with Thicket

and Sunflower. Using chisel edge,
touch, lean, and slide.

Stem
Touch and pull
down on the
chisel edge

Completed Rose
9

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U SING A FLAT BRUSH

Painting a Pansy

See Rose & Pansy Worksheet

Paint individual shell-shaped petals using a

flat brush loaded with Dioxazine Purple
and Wicker White. Start at left side of
petal. Pull brush in a curve as you wiggle.
End on chisel.

Make 5 overlapping shell-shaped petals.

Add individual teardrop-shaped petals at

bottom of pansy. See the next three steps
for instructions on making the teardrop
petals.

Making Teardrop Petals

Load the flat brush with Dioxazine Purple

and School Bus Yellow. Touch chisel edge
of brush.

Pull the brush into a curve.

End brush on the chisel edge.

Painting the One-Stroke Leaf

See Leaves, Greenery, & Wisteria Worksheet.

Load the flat brush with Thicket and

Sunflower. Start by touching flat side of
brush.

Push brush down and pivot, turning green

side slightly toward tip.

10

As you get close to end of leaf, pull up on

chisel edge at tip.

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U SING A FLAT BRUSH

Painting a Heart-Shaped Leaf

Load a flat brush with Thicket and

Sunflower. Make guidelines in a v to
help keep the top of your leaf even.

Begin at one guideline with the flat side of

the brush. Have the green side of brush to
the outside. Touch down with brush.

Push and wiggle the stroke.

Begin turning brush as you get to tip.

Turn and slide as you pull brush up to

chisel edge.

Make both sides of leaf in this same way.

To make a turned edge on leaf: Begin

making leaf in the same way, as you get to
middle of leaf, pull brush up to chisel.

Twist brush 180 and flip to other side.

Pull down to tip and end of chisel edge.

11

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U SING A FLAT BRUSH

Painting a Tulip
See Tulip & Iris Worksheet

Load flat brush with Berry Wine and

Sunflower or Wicker White. Touch brush
to surface to begin the center back petal.

Wiggle and push brush up side of petal.

Pull brush up to chisel edge at tip. When
you reach tip, do not lift brush.

Pull brush back down other side of petal

as you wiggle and push.

Make a side petal using the same technique as the center petal, however, just
make one side.

For the inside edge of the side petal, make

an S stroke. See the following photo
showing an S stroke.

Making an S stroke: Begin brush on

chisel, pull to flat side, twist and end on
chisel.

Painting a Tulip Leaf

See Tulip & Iris Worksheet

Load flat brush with Green

Forest and School Bus Yellow.
Touch on chisel edge to start.

Pull brush to flat edge, lean

and pull to make the long
leaf.

To make a folded leaf: Pull up

to chisel edge and slide it to
the side slightly.
12

Pull brush back down, twist

slightly, and end on chisel.

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Tulip

Page 13

TULIP& I
RISW ORKSHEET

Load 3/4" flat

brush with Berry
Wine and Wicker
White.

Tulip or Iris Bud

Push & wiggle

wiggle

Load 3/4" brush

with Diox. Purple
and W.White

slide
slide

Push and
wiggle

end

start

start

start

Iris
Pull strokes back

lift

start

start

5
4

slide
slide

Stem
Load 3/4" flat with Gr.
Forest and Sch. Bus
Yel.
Use chisel edge and
lead with Yellow.
Touch base of flower
and pull down to end
of stem.

Leaves

Pull
strokes
back

Center
Load #12
brush with
School Bus
Yel. and W.
White

Load 3/4" flat

with Gr.
Forest and
Sch. Bus Yel.
lift to
chisel

flip

Use chisel
edge and
lead with
White
make downstrokes

push
push

13

Start on
chisel
end on chisel

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U SING A FLAT BRUSH

Painting a Daisy
See Wildflowers, Butterflies, & Bees Worksheet

Load the flat brush with

School Bus Yellow OR School
Bus Yellow and Wicker
White. Touch chisel edge of
brush to surface and lean.

Pull brush towards you. Push

slightly to widen stroke. End
up on chisel and lift.

Make these teardrop strokes

in a circle to create the daisy.
Make strokes at various
angles.

Use the brush handle to dot a

center in daisy.

Painting a Thistle
See Wildflowers, Butterflies, & Bees Worksheet
Load flat brush with Dioxazine Purple
and Wicker White as shown in the first
photo. Touch chisel edge and flip brush
away from you.
Make petals that angle away from the
stem. See the second photo.

Painting a Wildflower
See Wildflowers, Butterflies, & Bees Worksheet

Paint in stem first. For flower, load brush

with Night Sky and Wicker White. Touch
chisel edge to surface, slightly above stem.

Lean brush towards you, pull and lift.

Lead with the white edge.

14

Paint a series of petals down the stem,

working strokes from left to right.

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W ILDFLOWERS, UBTTERFLIES
, & EES
B W ORKSHEET

Butterfly

Wings: Load #12 flat with Night

Sky and Wicker White

start

Bee

Antennae & body: #2 script liner

loaded with inky Thicket

lift
start

lift

push
end

push
touch
pull

end

Body: #12 brush loaded

with Yellow Ochre

chisel edge
- pull

Dragonfly

push

Dragonfly wings: #12 brush, Wicker White

Antennae: #2 liner
loaded with inky
Night Sky

start

lift
end

touch
pull
push lift to chisel
Body: #12 flat loaded with Night
Sky and Wicker white

Bee Wings:
load #8 flat
with
Wicker
White and a
touch of
Licorice.

Details: #2
liner loaded
with Licorice

Pink Wildflower
Center: dot with handle end

Daisy
Load #12 flat with Sch. Bus Yel. and Wicker White
touch

Tail
#2 liner loaded with
night sky

Wildflowers

Load #12 flat with Berry

Wine and Sch. Bus Yel.

Thistle
Load #12 flat with Diox.
Purple and Wicker
White on chisel edge

Load #12 flat with Night

Sky and Wicker White
pull
downward

touch
pull
downward

dab
dab
dab

Thistle

Grass
Load 3/4" flat with Thicket and Sunflower
Pull on chisel edge, leading with Sunflower

15

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U SING A FLAT BRUSH

Painting Grass
See Wildflowers, Butterflies, and Bees Worksheet
First, load brush with Thicket and
Sunflower. Start on chisel edge.
Then pull strokes upward. Do not tilt
wrist.

Painting Vines
See Leaves, Greenery & Wisteria Worksheet #2

Load brush with Thicket and Sunflower.

Begin on chisel edge, leading with
Sunflower.

Pull brush along with arm, do not tilt

wrist. Lift at end.

Make intertwining vines by crossing over

original vine.

Painting Branches

Load brush with Burnt Umber and Wicker

White. Touch brush to surface at an angle.

Lead with light color and pull, twist,

release as you make an uneven line.

16

Release pressure and lift at end of branch.

If you run out of paint, reload and begin
slightly overlapping end of last stroke.

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Page 17

U SING THE S
CRIPT LINER


The script liner is used to paint thin vines, bows, detail lines, and other small elements. The paint is also very thin when used with
the script liner. The #2 and the #1 script liners are available within the standard and mini One Stroke brush sets.

Loading the Brush

Thin the paint with water to an inky consistency. Load brush by rolling it in the
paint puddle.
When the brush is loaded with paint,
twist and roll out of the puddle.

Painting Vines, Curlicues and Vines

The photo shows the proper way to hold

the brush. The brush is moved along on
its tip as you pull it along with your entire
arm.

Curlicues: These are made by pulling the

brush in spirals.

Vines: pull the brush along in an uneven

line.

Cross the vine with other lines to make an

intertwining look.

Bows: First make the two loops of the

bow.

Make the tails and add a small dot for the

knot.

17

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Page 18

U SING A SCRUFFY
BRUSH


The scruffy brush is used to pounce in background foliage, animal fur, and also to paint lilacs or wisteria. There are three sizes of
scruffy brushes available: mini, standard, and large.

Preparing the Scruffy Brush

When you take the scruffy brush from the

package, it needs to be prepared for painting. First, pounce it into the palm of your
hand to help remove sizing and fluff the
bristles.

Next, use thumb to spread the bristles.

Loading the Brush

Load 1/2 of brush into first color. Push

hard on brush and pounce into color.

Load other half of brush into second color

in the same way.

Painting Wisteria or Lilacs

See Leaves, Greenery & Wisteria Worksheets #1 and #2

Load brush with Dioxazine Purple and

Wicker White. Pounce loaded brush into a
half circle shape, with darker color on outside.

Paint a second layer by making a smaller

half circle to overlap the first one.

18

Pounce down to a point, leaning brush as

you taper to finish flower.

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Page 19

U SING A SCRUFFY BRUSH

Wisteria and heart-shaped leaves were used to

decorate this metal mailbox. See pages 20 & 21
for Worksheets showing steps how to paint the
elements of the design. See Wildflowers,
Butterflies & Bees Worksheet on page 15 showing how to paint the butterfly. See page 22 for
the actual size design that was painted on the
mailbox.

Painting Moss & Greenery

See Leaves, Greenery & Wisteria Worksheet #1
1. Load brush with Thicket, Sunflower
and a little Wicker White (optional).
Pounce an irregular half circle, with the
darker color on the outside.
2. Move across, overlapping half circles.

19

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Page 20

LEAVES, G
REENERY & WISTERIAW ORKSHEET #1
Heart-Shaped
Leaf

Load 3/4" flat

with Thicket &
Sunflower

Push,
wiggle,
turn, stop
then
slide to
tip.

4
3

Wisteria
or Lilac

Load standard scruffy brush with Dioxazine Purple

and Wicker White.
Pounce overlapping half circles.

start

6
end

Lean brush on
side as you
taper

Script Liner Vines

Stem make on
chisel edge
Load #2 liner with inky Thicket

Curlicues

One Stroke Leaf

Load #12 flat with
Thicket and
Sunflower
start

Moss

end

Stems

Pounce
make on chisel
edge, leading
with Sunflower

3
1

Load standard scruffy with Thicket, Sunflower, and Wicker White

Dont
do this

20

Overlapping various colors can create

background greenery

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Vines

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Page 21

LEAVES, G
REENERY & WISTERIAW ORKSHEET #2

Load 3/4" flat with

Thicket and Sunflower

Using chisel edge,

lead with
Sunflower, making
a loose, wavy line

Add trailing
vines by
crossing over

Steps to Painting
the Design
1. Make the main vine
to establish the flow
of the design
2. Add some trailing
vines.
3. Paint in Heart-shaped
Leaves
4. Add the smaller
One-Stroke Leaves
5. Paint in Wisteria
6. Add curlicues to
finish design.

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Page 22

Mailbox Design

This is an actual size painting of the

design used on the mailbox shown on
page 19. It can be used as a pattern if
desired. Simply trace the outline of the
elements and transfer to your surface.
Add additional leaves as needed.
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Page 23

U SING SPONGE
PAINTERS


Loading the Sponges

These Sponge Painters #1195 are sold in a set. They are great
for basecoating large areas, stenciling, or even painting large
design elements such as tree trunks. The smaller sponge is
used for smaller areas or tight places. The die-cut edges can be
used for specific shapes: use the square edge to make bricks;
use the rounded edge to paint curved shapes; and use the
pointed edge for things such as ears.

1. Dampen sponge with water and squeeze dry. Pull the sponge
through the paint puddle to load.
2. Double Load: Pull one side of sponge along the edge of the
second color of paint.
3. Notice how the second color is just on the edge of the
sponge.

Painting a Tree Trunk

Double load the sponge with a dark and

light color of brown. Pull the sponge along
both outside edges of the tree trunk pattern.
Be sure to push with your finger on edge of
sponge so that the darker color is applied.

Fill in center of tree trunk with the lighter

color that is loaded on sponge. Pull,
pounce, or move sponge in a circular
motion to fill in area.

Create definition in the center area of the

tree by using the double loaded sponge to
make curving lines.

Basecoating and Stenciling

The rounded edge of the sponge can be

used to basecoat along curved areas.

Large areas can be basecoated by simply

pulling or rubbing the loaded sponge on
the surface.
23

A loaded sponge can also be used for stenciling.

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Page 24

PRACTICE
PAINTING
The old saying is true, Practice makes perfect. The best way to master the OneStroke technique is to practice painting your strokes directly on top of my strokes. The
Worksheets in this book are the actual sizes that I have painted them so that when you
use the brushes as instructed, your strokes will be the same size as those shown on
the Worksheets. There are two ways to practice your strokes.

Open book to the Worksheet with the

design you wish to practice. Place a piece
of acetate or stiff clear plastic directly on
top of the Worksheet page. Tape it in
place so that it wont move. Paint your
strokes directly on the plastic, mimicking
my strokes.

With practice, your strokes will look just

like mine.

TRACING AND
TRANSFERRING

Place tracing paper over the pattern you

wish to transfer. Neatly trace the design
with a pencil.

Using Reusable Teaching Guides

There is a wide selection of plastic laminate One-Stroke Teaching Guides that will aid
in your practice.
Position tracing on surface, then slip a
piece of transfer paper under tracing.
Retrace the design. Hint: you can use a
different color pencil or pen for your second tracing so that you can see if you
have traced all the lines.

Load the size brush as indicated and paint

directly on the teaching guide. Simply
wipe off your practice strokes and use
them again and again until you are
pleased with your progress.
Remove tracing and transfer paper to
reveal the transferred design.
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Page 25

This metal watering can was already white. You can paint metal with FolkArt
Acrylic Colors or Apple Barrel Indoor/Outdoor Enamels. If using FolkArt
Acrylic Colors, first spray the surface of the area to be painted with Matte
Acrylic Sealer (#788). This will give the area tooth so that it will accept the
paint better. When painting is dry, coat with Outdoor Matte Sealer #896.
When using Apple Barrel Enamels, no preparation or finish sealer is needed.
See page 26 for the Worksheet showing how the sunflower is painted step
by step. See page 27 for an actual size painting of the design on the watering
can. You may use this design as a pattern by simply tracing and transferring to
surface.

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Petals

SUNFLOWER W ORKSHEET

Center

Push, turn, lift

Load standard scruffy brush with

Maple Syrup and Licorice.

start

end

1
2

Load #12 flat with

Sch. Bus Yel. and
Yellow Ochre

6
5

Pounce a donut shape in the middle

of sunflower center.

start

Pull the petals from

the wet center to
create the varied
coloration on
the petals.

push &
wiggle

turn

end

Leaf
Load 3/4" flat with Thicket and Sch. Bus Yel.

Stems

Finished
Sunflower

Load 3/4" flat with Thicket and Sch. Bus Yel.

On chisel edge, leading with Sch. Bus Yel.,
touch brush at base of flower and pull down
stem.

Repounce edges
of the center.

Pick up Yellow Ochre on the Maple Syrup side of the

brush and pounce in a c shape to highlight.

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Page 27

Watering Can Design

This is an actual size painting of the design used on the watering can shown on page
25. It can be used as a pattern if desired. Simply trace the outline of the elements and
transfer to your surface.
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Page 28

Pansy Cupboard Design

This is an actual size painting of

the design used on the cupboard
shown on page 29. It can be used
as a pattern if desired. Simply trace
the outline of the elements and
transfer to your surface.

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Page 29

See pages 9 & 10 showing how to paint a pansy. The painting on

page 28 is the actual size design that was painted on this cupboard.

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Page 30

Rose & Iris Design

This is an actual size painting of the design used on the box
shown on page 31. It can be used as a pattern if desired.
Simply trace the outline of the elements and transfer to your
surface.

30

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Page 31

See Rose and Iris Worksheets and photos showing how to paint the designs
step by step. The painting on page 30 is the actual size design that was painted on the box.

31

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Page 32

Fruit Floorcloth Design

This is an actual size painting of the design used
on the floorcloth. It can be used as a pattern if
desired. Simply trace the outline of the elements
and transfer to your surface.

32

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This design was painted on the backside of a vinyl flooring remnant. Simply basecoat the back and paint. Coat
finished painting with FolkArt Outdoor Sealers for the
ultimate in protection. See Worksheets on pages 34 & 35
for fruit painted on floorcloth.

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Page 34

Pear

PEAR & BIRD W ORKSHEET

start

end

start

start

Fruit Leaves

2nd

1st

Load 3/4" flat with

Sch. Bus. Yel. and
Green Forest
Make a V for a guide.

turn
brush at
point to
end
Shading on pear:
add a little Burnt
Umber to sideloaded brush.

5-Petal
Flowers

end

Load 3/4" flat with Yellow

Ochre and Sch. Bus Yel.

Stem: use
Green Forest
on chisel
edge.
push

Load #12 flat with

Wicker White and
Sch.Bus.Yel.
Build flower a petal at
a time.

Use #2 script liner and inky Burnt

Umber for blossom end of fruit.

Bluebird

Load #12 flat with

Berry Wine and
Wicker White

Load #12 flat with Midnight and Wicker White

Head

Body:

Breast:
turn

start

end

Back Wing:
Load #12 flat with Wicker
White and
Midnight

start

end

slide
down
to tip

Push,
turn,
lift
slide
turn brush at
point to end
end
Eye: script liner
and Licorice

Bow
#2 script liner and
inky Berry Wine

Paint as
you would a
One-Stroke Leaf

Front Wing: same

as back wing.
Add a
touch of
Wicker
White for accent.

Feathers: use chisel edges to

pull in feathers.
Beak: #2 script
liner and Yellow
Ochre

Hummingbird
Body

Paint the same as

the bluebird but
paint vertically.

Load #12 flat with Green

Forest and Wicker White

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Page 35

A PPLEAND PLUM W ORKSHEET

Apple

smile on apple

start

1
2

end

Complete apple
Stem: 3/4" flat loaded
with Burnt Umber and
Wicker white.
Load 3/4" flat with Berry Wine and
Sch. Bus Yel.

Make long flat strokes all the way

around the edge of the apple.

Use chisel edge, leading

with white. Touch smile
of apple and pull back.

Fill in Center: drag

strokes from smile half
way down.

Plum
Load 3/4" flat with Dioxazine
Purple and Wicker White
start

Make C stroke. Begin on chisel, pull flat,

and end on chisel.

Flip brush for third stroke, then finish

up by smoothing strokes back and forth
to smooth center.

2
3

end

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Page 36

UPDATED

BASIC STROKES WORKBOOK

DECORATIVE
PAINTING
#9407RD