Rosemaling means “rose painting” in Norwegian and is done in many styles reflective of specific regions in Norway. The Setesdal region in southern Norway is known for its simple and bright colors and symmetrical designs, making it different from many of the other styles of rosemaling. In this course, you’ll study and practice basic techniquaes of this traditional decorative painting style. You’ll then take your new skills and decorate a wooden mangleboard or mangletre.

What is a Mangletre? A mangletre is a traditional Norwegian ironing board used primarily as a betrothal gift. The suitor would carve or paint a mangletre and present it to his love as a symbol of his affection. If she accepted it, they were engaged. There is an old Norwegian Saying: “Beware of the Man with Many Mangletres.” We’ll talk about it in class…plenty of one-on-one instruction is provided. At least one prior rosemaling class is recommended.

This class will be taught in oils but acrylic painters are welcome. Acrylic painters will have to bring their own paints as they will not be available from the instructor. Acrylic painters should contact instructor for paint color recommendations. Please see instructor message in your registration confirmation for contact details.

Painting supply fees will vary ($5-65) depending on student needs, and will be paid to your instructor in class. Each student will also need to purchase ($25-30) or bring an instructor-approved wooden project. See Required Tools and Materials on the course’s web page.

Students ages 16+ may register for this course independently. Youth ages 12+ may register if accompanied by an adult. A 25% tuition discount applies to the youth registrant when registering with a full paying adult; call to register.

Required Tools

Depending on materials needed, students should expect to pay $15-$40 in class to the instructor. This fee includes a $25 fee for paints provided by the instructor and a $15 fee for basic materials. Brushes are available for use in class and can also be purchased from the instructor for $20-$50.

The instructor recommends that you use her paints if you have not painted before as the paints can be expensive.

A wooden project needs to be ordered by student before class and will run between $25-$30 for the mangletre. (If you have a piece of your own you want to paint, please contact the instructor at least a month before class so we can discuss design.)

Setesdal Style Rosemaling Materials list and Mangeltre info:

• Setesdal project is a 24-inch Mangletre(mangleboard) from www.LuskScandiaWoodworks.com
• Item 509 for the mangleboard
• Item 707 for the horse shaped handle
• You must order both pieces. Please order at least two months prior to class.

Kim Garrett is going to make arrangements to pick up the mangletres the last week of April to save on shipping. Please order and pay online by April 1, 2026. Each piece is handmade so Mike needs time to complete them.

Optional Tools

All the supplies below are provided as part of the noted materials fee (which will be collected by the instructor during class), but you are welcome to bring your own, as these are supplies you would need to purchase to pursue painting on your own.

• Tracing paper
• Transfer paper
• Palette paper (for mixing paints)
• Palette knife
• Paper towels (lint free)
• Walnut alkyd medium by M Graham - available from Amazon or Vesterheim Museum (www.vesterheim.org) Or Refined Artist Grade Linseed Oil
• Odorless paint thinner or brush cleaner – available at local craft stores (Mona Lisa or Masterpiece brands)
• Oil Paints (The: Instructor recommends Rembrandt brand unless another is specified) Again, you are welcome to buy a palette of paints from the instructor for 25.00.)
  1. Yellow Ochre
  2. Venetian or English red
  3. Cadmium Red Light
  4. Prussian Blue
  5. Green Earth
  6. Raw Sienna
  7. Burnt Sienna
  8. Titanium White or Unbleached Titanium White
  9. Raw Umber
  10. Burnt Umber
  11. Mars black
• Brushes (see notes on brushes) #1 liner # 2, 4 and 6 filbert (# 8 optional)

A note on brushes: It makes Rosemaling easier if you have good brushes. We recommend Princeton Velvet Touch or Heritage, or Blick Masterstroke Filberts. You can bring your own, borrow the instructor’s or purchase them from the instructor (additional $20-$45). If this is your first class, we will have brushes you can borrow at no cost. If you plan to continue painting, you'll want to buy your own brushes.

NOTE: If you are going to be painting in acrylics, please bring your own paints as they will not be available from the instructors.