Chezza`s Bears

Book 4

By Cheryl Bradshaw

Published by Viking Folk Art Publications

Review by: Denise Kidd

Copyright states: 

The designs in this book are for the use of the decorative painter. Teachers may copy one design per student for a class. Painters may hand paint the designs for fun or profit. A clear and concise statement, we know where we stand and what is allowed, a definite plus IMO.

Chezza`s books keep getting better and better, this one continues that tradition. It is not just a book for bear enthusiasts because there are different techniques covered. Sources for the surfaces in both Australia and The US are listed in the front of the book. Chezza uses DecoArt Americana paints and No Prep metal paint but you could easily convert to another brand if necessary.

The General Instructions, Painting Terms and Techniques and Chezza`s special Fur painting technique are explained completely and fully including Back to back floating, drybrushing, floating colour and  sideloading of a liner brush and round brush as well as complete detailed  instructions on her bears fur.

All projects are so well explained I`m sure anyone with basic knowledge could understand them.

The projects are:

My Friend Dixie (cutout angel)

Love Bears All Things (Shaker Peg Shelf)

Miss Grumpy (Mini Heart Plaque)

Families are Forever (Small Chest)

International Friends (Box with divided Lid )

Fair Dinkum Aussies (Plaque)

Megumi`s Pencil HolderBruiser,

Buster and Barney (painted on a watering can)

Home Tweet Home (wall plaque)

The Nature Lovers Trio (set of 3 hinged bears)

China Blue Chest (Curved top Chest)

Moody Blues (Trompe)

Benjamin (Shelf Sitter Bear)

Sepia and Lace (Cabinet and Rusty Tin Heart Plaque)

The detail in all these projects is unreal, each time I look at a project I see something else, I also get a kick out of reading the explanations of the projects and was interested to see Ted E and Rose E (married couple in book 3) now have Ted E junior LOL. and we`re introduced to The Koalas Sheila and her sleepy baby Bazza on their way to The animal LiBEARation convention

This book has something for everyone in all countriesfrom the Patriotic American to the Japanese to the Occa from Oz.

A BIG book of excellent value and a wonderful addition to any painters library.

Is available through artists club and craft stores,or for an autographed copy from Chezza`s website