Hand Painting Techniques
- Double loading the paintbrush allows you to make one stroke but add two colors. This is easier than making one stroke and letting it dry before going back and adding a second stroke over top. Put the two colors you want to use on a paper plate or palette. Dampen your paintbrush. Dip one corner of the paintbrush into one of the colors of paint. Dip the other corner of the brush into the other color of paint. Blend the two paints together by stroking the brush back and forth on the palette or plate. Apply the paint to your project.
Use double loading for the following techniques. - Most leaves follow the same technique. Use different size and style paintbrushes to form the different types of leaves. Double load the paintbrush to make a more realistic-looking leaf. Touch the brush to your project and apply a little pressure. Pull the brush toward the stem at the same time you are gently lifting the brush off the project.
This technique is also good for flower petals. Push the brush out and away from the center of the flower to form the petals. - Make a scruffy brush by taking an old paintbrush with ½-inch bristles and pouncing it onto a smooth work surface. This crinkles up the bristles a little for a completely different painting technique. Add paint to your brush, and pounce on your project. Scruffy painting is good for painting moss and the centers of flowers. Practice on scrap paper to achieve the right amount of paint and pouncing. Make sure you move the brush all over in a random motion.
- Use a script liner brush to form letters and ribbons. For letters, you can draw the text onto the project with a pencil and cover with paint. To make ribbons, allow your hand to flow freely. Practice free-flowing ribbons on scrap paper before painting them onto your project.
- To make a perfect dot on your painting project, use the paintbrush's handle. Dip the end of the handle into the paint, and tap onto your project.
