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Archive for May, 2009
Painting a Ribbon Stroke
This is a good stroke for a beginner to practice on. It is actually a great stroke to use if you want to paint a ribbon. Maybe that is where they got the name!
You will be using a flat brush for this stroke. Typically, you will double load your brush. It is also possible to do this stroke with more than two colors. You will just add a different look to the results. Adding more than two colors is a wonderful way to create a different look and add more interest.
You will begin on the chisel edge of the brush. The beginning will be very similar to painting the S-Stroke. You will be going from the chisel edge and pull the brush, while pushing it down to the flat part of the bristles. You will continue with the downward pressure. When you are ready to create the ribbon, you will flip the brush over and continue on the flat part immediately. Do not come up to the chisel edge while doing this. This may take a little practice to get a smooth transition from one side to the other without stopping.
Play with this a little before starting on your project. You can even add a twist to this stroke, using only one color when you start, add shading by side loading your brush with another color. Just apply the new color where the stroke flips. Try it out and see which way you like it best.
Amy
www.amyspaintedhouseandmore.com
aamilou@aol.com
Painting a Leaf
Painting leaves seems like it should be pretty easy, however there are some that will need to practice to get to that point. Even though this type of leaf is a simple, one stroke leaf, it can be a little trickier to do at first. This leaf is one that I would start off with first, before moving on to the more detailed leaves.
You will begin this leaf using a flat brush. Apply pressure so that the bristles are flat to your surface. Once you are at this point, you will begin to pull your brush towards you. When you begin to ease up on the pressure, you will do a slight 1/4 turn with your brush to make the rounded part of this leaf. You will end this stroke up on the chisel edge of your brush, creating the tip of the leaf.
You can do this stroke with just a single color loaded in your brush, or double load the brush to add interest and shading. This type of leaf is also a great filler leaf. If you want to use it in this manner, add flow medium to your paint. You will be making an inky consistency. This will allow the leaf to be transparent on your surface. Do the same technique as mentioned above, but place this leaf in the areas where you have the fully painted leaves. Just add them in different areas that need to be filled in. This is a great way to add more depth to your painting.
As with any of these strokes, take time to practice first before applying to your project. Even though it seems to be an easy leaf, it is not uncommon for this leaf to be hard to get just right when you first start to paint it. Do not get frustrated with it. Take your time and have fun while doing it!
Amy
www.amyspaintedhouseandmore.com
614-530-0219
