Brushstrokes explained

The most widely accepted methods of teachingapplying pressure and pausing slightly to allow the
brush strokes involve the use of a flag on yourbrush hairs to fan out some. Begin pulling toward
brush handle and an imaginary clock to indicateyou, gradually releasing pressure as you reach the
direction or brush position.tail. Avoid sharp decreases in pressure and strive
First, flag your brushes. Cut out several trianglesfor a nice, smooth curve in the belly.
of cardstock or other stiff paper and scotch tapeNow try a comma stroke in the opposite
them to the tops of your brush handles. Whichdirection.
direction your flags point on your round brushesThe S-stroke is another common stroke and,
isn't important, but when flagging flat brushes theagain, variations can be achieved by the type of
flag must be in line with the width of the brush. Ifbrush you use, the size brush you use, and by
the black bar in the clock to the right representsaltering the pressure or the length of the stroke.
the bristles of your flat brush when heldAgain, S-strokes can be done with either a liner, a
perpendicular to the clock surface, your flaground or a flat brush, although a flat brush is best
should be pointing to 12 o'clock.if you're just learning. This example was done
Next, find a comfortable position. Your paintingusing a flat brush.
surface should be about lap height when you areStart the S-stroke by placing your brush so that
seated. That great painting table you bought lastyour flag is pointed at 1 o'clock. Slide on the chisel
year is likely too high and will restrict youredge slightly toward 7 o'clock, gradually applying
movement when doing stroke work. The keys tomore pressure. While continuing to apply more
good brush strokes are that you be comfortablepressure, gradually change directions to 5 o'clock.
and relaxed with no strain on your neck orThen head toward 7 o'clock again, gradually
shoulder muscles. Working at lap height will allowreleasing pressure. Stop on the chisel edge of
for freer and more fluid movement of your hand,your brush. Your flag should remain pointed at the
arm and shoulder. Your mileage, however, may1 o'clock position throughout the stroke. Aim for
vary and you should experiment with differentsmooth transitions in the stroke and avoid sharp
positions to find the one that's most comfortableangles.
for you.Now try an s-stroke going in the opposite
Your brush should be held perpendicular to thedirection, starting at 11 o'clock and heading
surface you're painting on, straight up and down,towards 5 o'clock.
and should NOT be held at a slant like a pencil.The crescent or c-stroke is commonly used in
Brush stroke movement should come from thedecorative painting for flower petals and
shoulder and your entire arm should movedecorative borders and is well worth the effort to
through the stroke. Many artists recommendlearn. The c-stroke can be done with any size
using your little finger to balance on, moving yourliner, round or flat brush. The first example was
little finger along with your arm through thedone with a flat brush.
stroke. Others recommend having no handStart the c-stroke with your flag pointing to 11
contact with the surface at all. Try it both wayso'clock, slide on the chisel edge, increase pressure
and use whatever works best for you.as you near the top of the stroke, decrease
And, of course, always use quality brushes inpressure and slide on the chisel edge, coming to a
excellent condition. Using brushes in poor condition,stop with your flag pointing toward 1 o'clock. Your
such as a round pointed brush whose point is noflag will rotate somewhat as you go over the top
longer well defined, can be very discouraging andcurve of the stroke.
may cause you to give up on learning strokeThe more you practice your brush strokes, the
work when, in fact, the brush is actually themore rewarding your results will be. Keep a brush,
problem.a bottle of paint and practice paper handy and
The comma stroke in all its variations is one ofpractice as often as you can, even if only for a
the most useful strokes to learn. You can use afew minutes at a time. Keep your supplies by the
liner brush, a round brush or even a flat brush tophone and practice while you talk. If you're like
make comma strokes and you can vary theirme and cannot possibly do only one thing at a
appearance by using different sized brushes, bytime, practice while you watch TV. Date your
shortening or lengthening the "tail," applying morepractice pages so you can refer back to them
or less pressure, or by straightening or puttingand chart your progress. And remember, your
more "curve" in the belly. This example was donestrokes don't have to be perfect. Minor variations
using a round brush.give them character and make your painting
Load your brush and then pick up a little extraunique :-)
paint on the tip. Start the stroke at the head by