The Art of Painting by Gerti Hofman, A Book Review

In the Art of Painting Gerti Hofman has provided step by step instructions for painting with Pergamano Pintura paint, Pinta Perla, Tinta ink, felt pens and coloured pencils. This is a large book (80 pages) with instructions for 21 beautiful card designs.

Although the main focus of the book is painting there are some essential instructions for lace making but if you need to know more about lace making technique other books have more detail.

Each pattern focuses on a different painting technique: Dresden flowers techniques, Perga Liners dry and wet techniques, Brazilian technique and tip, tip, tip are some of them; so if you want to practise a particular technique it is easy to choose a pattern that will challenge you.

As well as being a useful addition to a Parchment Craft collection this is an essential guide and reference for painting there are many useful tips and information on how to correct problems in painting.

Free Parchment Craft Pattern 'Lotus Flower and Bamboo Border'

Lotus Flower and Bamboo border. If you would like a copy of my design and instructions, click here.

Passion for Cards by Mieke Sprenger

Mieke Sprenger's new book Passion for cards is a collection of card patterns for every occasion. There are religious cards, for example, sympathy and first communion, everyday cards such as get well soon, graduation, driving test and moving house plus Valentines and Mother's day, altogether 24 patterns for almost any occasion. These patterns are aimed at a beginner to parchment craft, the pictures are beautiful and the instructions are really clear and well thought out, though as there are no 'in depth' technique pages if you were absolutely,brand new to this craft you would need a techniques book as well. This is the English version of the book and it is totally English except for the actual words on the cards. I would have liked an alphabet pattern in the back of the book so that I could do English versions of the words, although I expect most people have got one of these stashed away in their collection.