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Article #4: Brushstrokes explained

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






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