CALICO JAM Studio

Fine handworks.
Theorem paintings
Faux-grained frames

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Theorem Painting

Theorem painting was very popular in Colonial America.  Young ladies, in particular, were taught this appropriate form of art in the best schools.  Some speculate this art form may have originated in the Far East and migrated to England in the 1700's. 

It is called theorem painting because the desired picture was analyzed and divided into parts to make a stencil for each basic shape.  Each part was shaded as required to form an actual painting.  Many overlays are cut for each picture according to the degree of intricacy of each subject.  Paper was used for the cut stencils.  Now, we use mylar.  Originally, oil paint was rubbed on cotton velveteen with a piece of flannel wrapped around the finger to create the shading…most now use stencil brushes in various sizes.  In my work I use only acrylic paints and have substituted the modern alternative of a velvet board (cotton bonded to a backing), tea-dyed watercolor paper, fabric or wood.  Detail is then added to the painting with a fine-line brush or pen.

This site last updated on 02/20/08

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