Archive for April, 2009
April 30, 2009 at 2:02 pm
· Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged wine glasses, wedding favors, party favors, how to paint wine glasses, painted glassware, weddings, brush strokes, strokework, c-stroke
This stroke is one that you will use often, especially if you do One Stroke Painting. The C-Stroke is a stroke that uses the technique where you start on the chisel, flatten your brush, and then end up on the chisel. It could also be considered the U-Stroke if you it turned.
Begin on the chisel and when you start to add pressure to the bristles, pull the brush toward you. As you reach the bottom, begin to lessen the downward pressure. Curve around to the right, or left if you are left handed and put up on the chisel.
Be careful not to pull up too soon. You need to keep thinking chisel-flat-chisel while painting this stroke. The bottom of the C will be the thin line.
Do not forget to practice this stroke before painting on your project. You will need to get the feel for it before you use it. Remember; practice makes perfect!
Amy
www.amyspaintedhouseandmore.com
aamilou@aol.com
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April 21, 2009 at 2:59 pm
· Filed under Decorative Painting
The tear drop stroke is basically a straight comma stroke. Learning to do this stroke will allow you to gain better control over your paint brush. There really is a benefit to learning strokework!
This stroke may be painted two different ways. You can hold your brush perpendicular to the painting surface, apply pressure so that the bristles are spread on the surface. Pull the brush toward you as you gradually ease up on the pressure. You will end on the chisel.
The second way to do this stroke is to start on the chisel and gradually apply pressure. Continue to apply pressure until you have the rounded tear drop. Lift the brush directly up from the position, ending on the tip.
As with any of the strokes, it may take practicing to get it just right. Just keep in mind, the more you practice the better you will be. As you learn the different strokes you will be able to add more interest to your designs.
Amy
www.amyspaintedhouseandmore.com
aamilou@aol.com
614-530-0219
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April 20, 2009 at 4:02 pm
· Filed under Decorative Painting ·Tagged wine glasses, wedding favors, how to paint wine glasses, how to paint, faux painting techniques, brush strokes, stroke work
Most of the different strokes may be accomplished with different types of brushes. You do not have to use a certain brush. The technique may vary depending on the type of brush, but still may be achieved.
In order to create the comma stroke with a flat brush, you will start on the chisel edge. Place pressure down on the bristles so that they are flat on the surface. Pull the brush toward you and begin to curve the brush slightly as you ease up the pressure. This will start to narrow the line created by the bristles. Continue to do this until you end up back on the chisel edge. Your stroke will end as a fine line.
If you do not apply the proper pressure, you will find the stroke to look inconsistent. Your stroke may not go from a thick line and end in a fine one. If you do not have enough paint on your brush, the stroke will not be fully covered with paint. If you end the stroke too early, your ending may not be a clean crisp look.
It may take a little practice to get this stroke down. That’s is natural, so do not get upset. Even experienced painters need to continue practicing to keep their skill up. The more you practice the better you will become!
Amy
www.amyspaintedhouseandmore.com
aamilou@aol.com
614-530-0219
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April 19, 2009 at 3:34 pm
· Filed under Decorative Painting ·Tagged brush strokes, different types of painting strokes, faux painted walls, how to paint, how to paint on glass, stroke work, strokework, wedding favors, wine glasses
As with most anything in a right handed world, if you are a left handed painter you will need to adapt. By now, you are probably used to doing that and painting is not any different. Unless you are able to paint with either hand, the main thing to remember is you may have to do the strokes starting in the opposite position.
If you need a practice guide, you could photo copy the design strokes you are working on. They would be copied backwards for you to practice from. If you do not want to go to that trouble, just go in the reverse direction from the instructions and see if you are able to achieve similar results.
You also might find that you are able to paint well going in either direction. As with many techniques when painting, you are going to need to practice and get the feel for what is most comfortable for you. Do not go by what is working for someone else. You may keep it in mind, but know that there are other ways to get to the same end results. The main thing to consider, are you are happy with your work?
Amy
www.amyspaintedhouseandmore.com
aamilou@aol.com
614-530-0219 
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April 17, 2009 at 4:35 pm
· Filed under Decorative Painting ·Tagged Decorative Painting, faux painting, how to do brush strokes, how to paint glasses, how to paint oil bottles, learn strokework, oil bottles
You may get confused when you hear the term “Flat Edge”, when referring to your paint brush. There is an actual brush that is called a Flat Brush, and then there is the “Flat Edge”. The flat edge of your brush is when you apply pressure so that all of the filaments are touching the surface, as you are doing your stroke. This can be done with most brushes, no matter what style they are.
It is important to know how to load your brush properly in order to achieve this stroke. It should be loaded with the proper amount of paint, evenly. You also will need to learn how to apply the proper amount of pressure while doing the strokework. You will pull the brush toward you, ending up on the chisel edge. Lift the brush up from there. This will create a nice clean look.
If you have too much paint brush on your brush the end result will not be smooth, but will have a wavy look to it. If there is not enough paint on your brush, the stroke will not be completely painted and smooth. You will need to do this stroke several times to get the feeling for it, while learning the correct pressure and amount of paint needed.
Learning the different strokes will require practice. You may be someone who will do it a few times and pick right up on it. Everyone has different skill levels, but that is okay. It may take you a little longer to get it just right, but do not be afraid to practice. A great product to use while practicing is waxed paper. It is affordable and can be thrown away after you are done. This will eliminate a mess to clean up.
Remember, have fun while you paint!
Amy
www.amyspaintedhouseandmore.com
aamilou@aol.com
614-530-0219 
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April 15, 2009 at 3:35 pm
· Filed under Decorative Painting ·Tagged bride information, Decorative Painting, how to do brush strokes, how to faux paint, how to paint, how to paint walls, how to paint wine glasses, paint wedding favors, stroke work, wedding favors, wedding receptions, weddings
If you are a decorative painter it is very important to your work, to be familiar with and learn the different brush strokes. Learning to do them properly will also improve your work. If you do the different strokes correctly, your work will be crisp and cleaning looking. It will also make you aware of the different strokes that you can do in your designs, allowing them to be more interesting and unique. This could be just want you need to be different and stand out from the competition.
If you ever hear the word “Chisel” in reference to your paint brush when you are painting, that is the very tip of the bristles. Often when you are doing strokework, you will start on the chisel edge, apply pressure and move the brush in a certain direction. It will then call for you to end back up on the chisel edge. This will allow you to create a very nice crisp stroke.
You can also use the chisel edge of your brush to create a “line stroke”. You must keep your brush perpendicular to complete this stroke correctly. You will need to work on applying the correct pressure when doing this stroke. If you push down too much the line will be too fat. If you raise up off the surface too much, then you will have a broken line. Just the right amount of pressure is needed to make a nice thin line.
Always remember, practice makes perfect! Take a little time each day to work on your strokes. This is a good idea even if you are an experienced painter. Often we rush and sometimes get sloppy. This is a great way to keep our skills up and remind us of the proper way to do our strokework!
Amy
www.amyspaintedhouseandmore.com
aamilou@aol.com
614-530-0219
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April 14, 2009 at 2:07 am
· Filed under Decorative Painting ·Tagged learn brush strokes, learn faux painting, learn to paint glasses, using your paint brush, wedding favors, wine glasses
There may be a difference of opinion when it comes to how to hold your hands. Some say that it is important to hold your brush in your hand, as you would a pencil or pen. That bracing your hand on something will give you more stability. Others will tell you to keep you hand up away from your painting surface, and keep your brush perpendicular to the surface.
It may be important for you to find what is most beneficial for you as an artist. I do not hold my brush like I would a pencil. I try to keep my hand up off the surface and the brush perpendicular. That is what seems to work best for me. It also keeps my hand from gliding over the freshly painted surface.
Where you start the brush strokes depends greatly on which hand you are using. I often tell my students to get a feel for the direction that is most comfortable for them. I am left handed so, I typically start from the left and do my strokework to the right. I can actually do it either way. Being able to go in both directions, makes it easy to create a nice design. Some may only be able to paint going in one direction, and may have trouble painting on large objects that cannot be turned while being painted on. One such object that comes to mind would be decorative painting on walls.
As an artist, it is important to try different techniques and determine the best fit for you.
Amy
www.amyspaintedhouseandmore.com
aamilou@aol.com
614-530-0219
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April 11, 2009 at 5:23 am
· Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged brush strokes, how to decorative paint, how to do strokework, how to paint glasses, proper strokework, strokework, using your paint brush
Strokework is the basis behind decorative painting. Once you have mastered the different strokes, you will be on the way to creating beautiful artwork. By learning these different techniques you will be able to do different types of decorative painting. Combining techniques will allow you to create more interest in your work.
If you are a painter who did not learn how to use your brush and the different strokes from the beginning, you will notice the difference in your work if you take the time to learn. It allows you to understand how to hold your brush, the amount of pressure, and how the paint works in your brush. This is information that is beneficial no matter what type of painting you do.
There are two main elements to stroke work. One element is downward pressure and the other is sideways pressure. The amount of pressure will determine the width of your stroke. Of course, the more pressure you exert, the wider your stroke will be. As with the less pressure you use, the smaller your strokes will be.
Amy
www.amyspaintedhouseandmore.com
614-530-0219
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April 5, 2009 at 5:04 pm
· Filed under Decorative Painting ·Tagged decorative wall glaze, faux painting, glazes, glazing wall treatment, how to decorative paint, how to faux paint, how to glaze your walls
There are a few ways to create a glaze when you are painting. My favorite way to create one is to add water to your paint. This works when you are using acrylic paints, but is not recommended when you are painting with oils. You should either use oil or a product recommended by the manufacturer of the paint you are using.
The one problem you will find when using water when you are glazing, is that it will actually dry quicker, and not slower. Often when you are doing a glazing technique, you are going to find that you need more time to manipulate the paint. If this is the case, then you will need to buy a glazing medium specifically for your project.
When you are glazing it will be important that each layer of paint dry before placing the next layer on. Glazing is often used to bring out a certain color. It can actually increase the intensity of the color and can alter the color below it.
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April 2, 2009 at 11:22 pm
· Filed under Decorative Painting ·Tagged faux wall treatments, how to do faux sponge technique, how to do interior faux painting, how to faux paint, sponging
Sponging is one of the most popular faux treatments. The reason for this is because it is fun and easy to do. It can be done as the main feature or used as a background for additional decorative painting to be done on top of it. It would definitely be great for vines or other designs to be painted on it.
There are a variety of sponges that can be used. Each one will give a slightly different look. The stiffer the sponge the more distinct the effect will be. If you are using a softer sponge the pattern will be smoother and blend in more.
When you sponge you can make a neat look buy using the same color, but different sheen. You can stick with using one color that compliments the base color. You can use multiple colors and you will obtain a bolder look. If you use colors that are close to one another, the look will be much softer.
You can also do this technique in a few ways. You can put the color on with the sponge, allowing the base color to peek through. You can also roll or brush the color on and use the sponge to pull the color off. This also gives a next look.
When you get started doing this, you will have to play with it a little. It may take some trial and error to get it just right. Remember, it is just paint. If you do not like it, paint over it!
Amy
www.amyspaintedhouseandmore.com
aamilou@aol.com
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