Downloadable Painting Pattern - Early American Floral Tray Painting - Acrylic by Susan Abdella,MDA

Folk Art - Early American Tray Painting

There is a long history of painted tin  Folk Art in the United States, particularly in New England and especially in the so-called Penn-Dutch country. The Winterthur Museum in Delaware and the Philadelphia Museum of Art have wonderful collections of Penn-Dutch wares.  

These pieces were made and painted by individuals in the many tin shops in New England; often husband and wife working together.  Sometime in the mid 1900’s a company named NASCO began using mass-produced stamped trays that were then hand decorated by an artistic team under the leadership of a lead artist.  These trays were then sold by major department stores.  Most of the trays had a black background as seen in the image below, but some were red, white, green, and even pink backgrounds can be found. 

The trays had a wide flange and this was decorated with bold stroke work painted in gold; the flowers and leaves were always stroked.

Surface:

In this design painting pattern, I swapped the metal tray for a large wooden plate, however the design can be adapted to fit most surfaces.

This painting pattern comes with line drawing, step by step painting instructions to follow along with. The design is geared to the beginning artist who enjoys painting folk art styles.

ACRYLICS – DECOART TRADITIONS ACRYLICS

Naphtaol Red PR 170                        Light Violet

Medium Red Rose                            Pine Green

Yellow Oxide PY 42                         Ultramarine Blue PB 29

Dairylide Yellow PY 183                   Sapphire Blue

Brown Madder PR 175                     Carbon Black PBk 7

Titanium White PW 6                       True Gold

Vermillion                                        Diox. Purple PV23

Red Violet PV 19  

English Red Oxide or brush mix Burnt Sienna + Naphthol Red Light                    

MEDIUMS

Glazing Medium

Extender & Blending Medium

Satin Varnish

ALL STANDARD PAINTING SUPPLIES

Pettifore sponge used for Gold edging on plate

BRUSHES – IN GOOD CONDITION.

Filberts: #6, #8 – TB41, TB42

Flats:  #4, #6 – TB31, TB32

Round:  #3 or #4 TB21 or TB22

Angular 3/8 - TB73

Small Liner – TB11

Large Mop Brush -

Large Wash Brush

Small mops – TB101 or TB102