HSEAD STANDARDS MANUAL

Country Painting - Members

Acceptable articles for decorating in this category: Sheet waiters (“cut corner”) and trays no smaller than 8” x 12”, tin trunks, boxes, bread baskets, canisters, sugar and flour boxes, coffee pots, etc.

1. DESIGN – 10% of points

Choose typical country painting design of proper scale for the article: it must be authentic for this class.  Design must include typical country painting brushstrokes and groups of brushstrokes.  If a painted band is used, there must be enough typical brushstrokes and semi-transparent overtones to demonstrate ability to be judged under requirements 2 and 3.

2. BASE COATS OF UNITS – 15% of points

Base coats of units, whether opaque or transparent, must be smooth and even.  They must be other than one brushstroke and large enough to show ability.  Bands and large leaves should be even in color and large enough to show ability.  Bands and large leaves should be even in color and may be judged as base coats.

3. OVERTONES – 15% of points

Include many semi-transparent strokes without specks or streaks.  Overtones should give form and meaning to the design.

4. BRUSHSTROKES – 20% of points

Show many typical country painting brushstrokes, made with one stroke and not worked over.  A strong sense of rhythm should be expressed.  Brush stroke groups must have either an implied or actual focal point.  Designs which have a painted band often have brushstroke groups as overtones on the band.  If these overtones are the only strokes demonstrated, there must be a sufficient number to allow judging in requirements 3 and 4.

5. STRIPING AND BORDER – 15% of points

All articles must be striped along the lines of construction. Stripes must be straight, sure, of even width, and of good opaque color.  A brushstroke border must be demonstrated.

6. FINISH AND OVERALL FEELING – 25% of points

Must show unity and rhythm in form, as well as color, which is typical of this class.  Finish includes applications of background paint and varnish finish and must be free of specks and brush mark ridges.  Final finish must have a smooth, hand rubbed surface.  A high gloss and many coats of varnish detract from the “old” feeling.  Raw (not rubbed) varnish, dull-type varnish, and sprayed finishes will not be accepted.  All work must be done by the exhibiting member. 

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