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Brushstrokes explained

The most widely accepted methods of teachingslightly to allow the brush hairs to fan out
brush strokes involve the use of a flag onsome. Begin pulling toward you, gradually
your brush handle and an imaginary clock toreleasing pressure as you reach the tail.
indicate  direction  or  brush  position.Avoid sharp decreases in pressure and strive
for  a  nice,  smooth  curve  in  the  belly.
First, flag your brushes. Cut out several
triangles of cardstock or other stiff paperNow try a comma stroke in the opposite
and scotch tape them to the tops of yourdirection.
brush handles. Which direction your flags
point on your round brushes isn't important,The S-stroke is another common stroke and,
but when flagging flat brushes the flag mustagain, variations can be achieved by the type
be in line with the width of the brush. Ifof brush you use, the size brush you use, and
the black bar in the clock to the rightby altering the pressure or the length of the
represents the bristles of your flat brushstroke. Again, S-strokes can be done with
when held perpendicular to the clock surface,either a liner, a round or a flat brush,
your  flag  should be pointing to 12 o'clock.although a flat brush is best if you're just
learning. This example was done using a flat
Next, find a comfortable position. Yourbrush.
painting surface should be about lap height
when you are seated. That great paintingStart the S-stroke by placing your brush so
table you bought last year is likely too highthat your flag is pointed at 1 o'clock. Slide
and will restrict your movement when doingon the chisel edge slightly toward 7 o'clock,
stroke work. The keys to good brush strokesgradually applying more pressure. While
are that you be comfortable and relaxed withcontinuing to apply more pressure, gradually
no strain on your neck or shoulder muscles.change directions to 5 o'clock. Then head
Working at lap height will allow for freertoward 7 o'clock again, gradually releasing
and more fluid movement of your hand, arm andpressure. Stop on the chisel edge of your
shoulder. Your mileage, however, may vary andbrush. Your flag should remain pointed at the
you should experiment with different1 o'clock position throughout the stroke. Aim
positions to find the one that's mostfor smooth transitions in the stroke and
comfortable  for  you.avoid  sharp  angles.
Your brush should be held perpendicular toNow try an s-stroke going in the opposite
the surface you're painting on, straight updirection, starting at 11 o'clock and heading
and down, and should NOT be held at a slanttowards  5  o'clock.
like a pencil. Brush stroke movement should
come from the shoulder and your entire armThe crescent or c-stroke is commonly used in
should move through the stroke. Many artistsdecorative painting for flower petals and
recommend using your little finger to balancedecorative borders and is well worth the
on, moving your little finger along with youreffort to learn. The c-stroke can be done
arm through the stroke. Others recommendwith any size liner, round or flat brush. The
having no hand contact with the surface atfirst  example  was  done  with a flat brush.
all. Try it both ways and use whatever works
best  for  you.Start the c-stroke with your flag pointing to
11 o'clock, slide on the chisel edge,
And, of course, always use quality brushes inincrease pressure as you near the top of the
excellent condition. Using brushes in poorstroke, decrease pressure and slide on the
condition, such as a round pointed brushchisel edge, coming to a stop with your flag
whose point is no longer well defined, can bepointing toward 1 o'clock. Your flag will
very discouraging and may cause you to giverotate somewhat as you go over the top curve
up on learning stroke work when, in fact, theof  the  stroke.
brush  is  actually  the  problem.
The more you practice your brush strokes, the
The comma stroke in all its variations is onemore rewarding your results will be. Keep a
of the most useful strokes to learn. You canbrush, a bottle of paint and practice paper
use a liner brush, a round brush or even ahandy and practice as often as you can, even
flat brush to make comma strokes and you canif only for a few minutes at a time. Keep
vary their appearance by using differentyour supplies by the phone and practice while
sized brushes, by shortening or lengtheningyou talk. If you're like me and cannot
the "tail," applying more or less pressure,possibly do only one thing at a time,
or by straightening or putting more "curve"practice while you watch TV. Date your
in the belly. This example was done using apractice pages so you can refer back to them
round  brush.and chart your progress. And remember, your
strokes don't have to be perfect. Minor
Load your brush and then pick up a littlevariations give them character and make your
extra paint on the tip. Start the stroke atpainting unique :-)
the head by applying pressure and pausing



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