Introduction to Swedish Folk Art (Dalmalning)
A 3-Week Painting Series at Birdhouse - ALL MATERIALS PROVIDED!
Join us for a hands-on introduction to Dalmalning, traditional Swedish folk painting from the 1700s–1800s. This class is designed to be approachable, creative, and deeply rooted in tradition—perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike.
Your Instructor
Tina Rawson
Tina is of Swedish descent and has studied with Pieper Bloomquist, the American master of Dalmalning. She lives in Newburyport, MA and works in Haverhill, bringing both historical knowledge and a warm, flexible teaching style to the classroom.
What You’ll Learn
Week 1: Foundations & Brushwork
We’ll begin with an overview of Dalmalning—its history, style, and motifs. You’ll learn:
How to hold and load the brush
Essential decorative strokes used in Swedish folk art
Foundational techniques that set you up for success
No prior experience is required. If you’ve practiced folk art before, you’ll have a head start, but this class is designed for all levels.
Week 2: Flowers & Color
Using the brushstrokes you’ve learned, we’ll begin painting flowers:
Learn several traditional floral forms
Work with the classic Swedish color palette (with room for personal preference)
Explore traditional motifs while maintaining creative freedom
Our inspiration will be the work of Winter Carl Hansson, a favorite of Pieper Bloomquist.
Preview his work here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy3dFfZd0ao
Week 3: Composition & Finishing Touches
In our final session, we’ll bring everything together:
Add a vase, leaves, and decorative borders
Use a provided template to guide your design
Work at your own pace—many students may finish at home
Tina is happy to share your finished artwork on her Facebook page if you’d like.
Class Details
Location: Birdhouse
Schedule: 3 weekly sessions
Time: 5:00–6:30 PM (90 minutes per class)
Tina will stay an additional 15 minutes after class for questions and support
What to Bring
Water, tea, or your favorite drink
A snack if you’d like
Please plan to wash your own brushes and cups at the end of class
Tina looks forward to meeting you and painting together in a relaxed, supportive environment. Come learn a beautiful traditional art form and make something meaningful with your hands.
Register to reserve your spot—space is limited.