Using Paint Brushes and Palette Knives
Painting can be an enjoyable pastime, but it can be difficult if you don’t have the right tools. One of those tools is a paint brush.
The basic design of a paint brush consists of bristles, a metal rim that holds them, and a long handle. This guide will show you how to draw this simple tool in 6 easy steps.
Brushes
Paint brushes are the tools that allow artists to create a variety of different marks in their paintings. The type of brush chosen depends on the medium and style being used. Some brushes have long bristles that come to a fine point, which allows them to create delicate lines. Others have a wide range of sizes that can be used to cover large areas quickly or to create detailed work. The length of a brush’s bristles and the material they are made from also affect how the brush performs. There are natural bristle brushes, synthetic brushes and mixed bristle brushes.
Round Brushes
Round brushes are the most versatile paintbrush available, with a range of sizes that can be used to cover a large area quickly or to get very fine detail. They are the best choice for washes, covering larger areas and for linework of all sizes. The higher the number on a round brush, the more bristles there are.
Flat Brushes
A flat brush’s uniform bristles make it ideal for blending, washing and shading. Its flatness also makes it great for creating wider strokes in landscapes and skies, allowing smoother blends between several colors. Flat brushes can be made from natural or synthetic bristles, with the number of natural bristles affecting its carrying capacity and how soft it is.
Filbert Brushes
A filbert is a flat brush with bristles that are rounded at the ends. Its versatility means that it can be used to create a variety of effects in a painting by varying the amount of pressure applied or how the brush is flicked. A filbert can also be used to create plaid, ribbon and layered petals. It is recommended that a filbert be replaced every 6 months to ensure it stays in good shape.
Palette Knives
Palette knives are a great alternative to using paint brushes for a variety of painting techniques. They’re versatile and easy to use, and are a perfect tool for adding texture and dimension to your paintings. There are many different types of palette knife available to suit your painting needs, such as spatula knives and fan knives, which have curved blades that help to create delicate lines. Using a palette knife can add a whole new dimension to your work, from a soft and textured look to a crisp, detailed finish.
You can use your palette knife to blend and scrape paint as well as create line art. You can make a long, smooth stroke with a palette knife to create a sweeping effect, or you can apply short stabs of paint to create short peaks and furrows. You can also use your palette knife to create a textured effect by applying a layer of paint with varying thicknesses and dragging the paint across the surface. Using a variety of textures and short and long strokes helps to give your paintings a three-dimensional feel.
One of the most common palette knife painting techniques is scumbling, where you apply a thin coat of paint over another colour to produce a softer effect. You can use a brush for this, but a palette knife is more effective as it allows you to control the amount of paint used and the size of the splotches. If you want to create a more precise scumble, pause your stroke mid-way through the application to get a sharper detail.
You can also use your palette knife to create straight, ruler-straight lines. Simply load the edge of the knife with paint and draw it across the canvas to create a line. Experiment with the tip of your palette knife to see how you can shape these lines into zigzags, fan shapes and sinuous curves.