Decorative painting is called by many names including folk art, tole painting, country painting, and rustic painting. It involves applying various painting techniques on objects of just about any type - turning both functional and non-functional objects into works of art. It is a very popular, hobby for crafters as well as a profitable artform for many serious artists. Decorative painting isn't new. It's something people have been doing for centuries to embellish personal objects and decorate gifts for loved ones. This artform has evolved over the years into many different painting techniques. Decorative painting is usually systematically taught. Therefore making it a craft easily learned by anyone with no prior artistic experience. Thus the reason for it's popularity through the years. Decorative painting can be done in oils or acrylics. The most frequently-used medium today is acrylic paints. These paints are water based, easy to use, and to clean up. They dry faster than oils and are non-toxic. Various mediums such as extender, clear glaze medium, stroke and blending mediums, blending gel, paint thickener, texture paste and others are frequently used to help achieve different effects. Many a decorative painter has adopted the motto: If it doesn't move, paint it!

Below is a list of Web Sitings about this art form. Become a member of the Artful Shares wiki and add to this list today!

Decorative Painting Web Sitings

Website	URL/Link
The Craft Association page on Tole Painting	http://www.craftassoc.com/tolepant.html
Craft Site Directory page on Tole Painting	http://www.craftsitedirectory.com/tolepainting/index.html
Crafty Traditions	http://www.craftytraditions.com/
Artezan.Com	http://www.artezan.com/
Open Directory Project page on Decorative Painting	http://dmoz.org/Arts/Crafts/Decorative_Painting/
About: Decorative Painting	http://painting.about.com/od/decorativepainting/Decorative_Painting_and_Art.htm
Tole Painting Net	http://www.tolepainting.net/
Tole Expressions	http://www.tole-expressions.com/

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