Tutorial On How to Use Brush Stroke

Different strokes for different folks.

Learning brush strokes are an essential weapon in any artist's arsenal. A brush stroke provides depth, texture and development to a piece of art. Developing a good technique is equally as important for a housepainter or anyone who wants to create a quality paint finish on furniture or other surfaces.

Things You'll Need

• Paint brushes
• Water can
• Palette
• Acrylic paint
• Canvas paper

Instructions

1. Take brushes of different sizes, shapes and materials and lay them out on a table. Sit down at your canvas with a tube of acrylic paint and squeeze a generous amount onto your artist palette. Dab the brush into water and then into the paint.

2. Make a small comma on your canvas with the brush. Move it in a way that makes the texture and bristles of the brush stroke appear on the canvas. Repeat this step with the other brushes and different color paint.

3. Analyze the different strokes by looking at the head, the top of the stroke, the belly, the middle of the stroke and the tail end. Use varying amounts of pressure and note how it subtly changes the feel and look of the brush stroke.

4. Make a straight comma or quotation mark and follow the same steps using different brushes and pressures, then analyze the output. Also, try making an S shape to sample different strokes as this shape includes several different curves and pressure points.

5. Combine the strokes to create a simple image. Attempt more complicated images as your expertise increases.

References

• Tole Expressions: Basic Brush Strokes
• Video Jug: Different Brush Strokes