What is Rosemaling?

Rosemaling is a style of decorative painting that was originally practiced in Norway from 1700 to 1880.  It was used to decorate walls, ceilings, and furniture, as well as decorate everyday useful wood objects such as trunks, bowls, tankards, and lidded containers. The traditional media was oil paints and occasionally chalk.  

Characteristics of Rosemaling

• Decorates practical objects
• Organic feel
• Scrolls dominate the design
• Flowers are stylized
• Scrolls and flowers are ornamentally outlined
• Curved lines, not straight or geometric
• Not realistic
• Two-dimensional
• Traditional colors are toned pigments

The first piece I ever rosemaled was a barrel stave in a beginner class.  We based in the pattern in the colors our teacher told us.  Then we floated highlights and shading just how our teacher instructed. Finally we added outlining strokes where they were marked out on the pattern.  And we all went home with identical pieces. I was thrilled to be rosemaling.  But, there wasn’t any creativity in it.

I then purchased quite a few rosemaling pattern books. I proceeded over the next few years to trace the patterns, follow the directions, and replicate as closely as I could the photographs in the books.

But, my breakthrough was when I read a quote by Sigmund Arseth. He stated that a student should not copy patterns for more than two or three lessons. “This can become a fatal habit that will prevent the student from ever advancing to the creative level in rosemaling.” (Uh oh!) I took his advice to heart.  Now, I rosemal freehand.  And I have to say, I find freehand painting much more enjoyable and creative!  (I’ll have a lot more to say about making the jump to freehand rosemaling in future posts.)