Interview with Priscilla Hauser on HD

World famous decorative painter Priscilla Hauser loves new FolkArt® HD™! In this recent interview, she talks about painting in High Definition. To learn more about Priscilla Hauser, click here.

In your opinion, how much experience is required to use HD paint?

Absolutely none! It's like learning to play a new game or learning to swim. Just squeeze two colors out side by side on your wet palette. Pick up your brush and on a scrap of canvas, stroke a thick amount of one color, wipe the brush and apply the same amount of the other color. Blend the paint together where the two colors meet—it's fascinating! The consistency is like satin and it blends beautifully. You'll be comfortable with it very quickly.

If you could offer one piece of advice to a beginning HD user, what would it be?

CONSISTENCY! You can thin it with the mediums that are available to any consistency you desire. Just because it is thick, it doesn't have to stay that way. The special effects that can be achieved with it, because it can be adjusted to different consistencies, are fabulous.

Can you please tell us about your inspiration for Beautiful Blooms, your new HD book?

My inspiration came from the consistency of the paint. It was like icing a cake. I wanted to do flowers and leaves with a lot of texture. The paint itself inspires me to do new things. Right now I am working on a seascape.

Can you describe the process you go through when creating an HD piece?

It depends on the technique I'm going to use. In general:

1. I paint on a wet palette to keep it from drying.
2. If I need to thin some of it, I thin it with medium.
3. I decide what type of a background I want, textured or smooth. I also do backgrounds with sponges and plastic wrap.
4. Sometimes, but not always, I let the background dry. Then I draw or transfer my design, but on occasion (as with Lady in Red on the cover of Beautiful Blooms), I paint the leaves into a wet background.

What is your favorite subject matter to paint using HD and why?

My favorite subject matter is florals. I love fruit too.

Can you recommend alternative surfaces that might be good for HD besides canvas?

So far, I have painted on wood and masonite.

What is one tool you can’t live without when painting with HD and why?

Different palette knives in various shapes, because I'm able to create wonderful textures and dimension, both with backgrounds as well as flower petals, centers, leaves, and more!

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