My PBS mentor, Jerry Yarnell, uses mostly bristle brushes, a couple of small sable brushes, and a Hake brush for background work. I started off with those brushes but have added other brushes as I’ve gone along.
The only thing I’m an expert at in the art world is knowing what I like. So, I can’t pass on any wisdom about the best kind of brushes, either by type or brand name. However, as with so many things in life, I’ve learned that I get what I pay for. So, the cheapest brushes are no good. They fall apart or they are not shaped properly. I haven’t ever bought a really expensive brush so I can’t speak to those. I mostly buy medium priced brushes. If I find a particular brand of brush that I like in one size, I’m likely to buy it in others.
Even though I’ve decided to work in acrylics, I’ve watched instructional shows and read books about painting in other mediums. I’ve learned about different kinds of brushes that way. The way I figure it, a particular kind of brush will make a similar stroke whether it’s loaded with acrylics, oils or watercolor.
As well, every artist I’ve seen uses the brush a little differently. I’m not afraid to experiment and emulate anyone I see. So, with all that input, I’m pretty sure my own style will emerge and I will find the types of brushes I’m most comfortable with.
The collection of brushes in the photograph above is from my larger collection. These are the brushes I thought would work best with the painting of the bell tower. Since the river stones that are exposed in the structure are rounded, I thought filbert brushes would work best to paint those. The tile roof needed a brush that would hold a sharp chisel edge to help define each individual tile. For that I used a synthetic bristle brush that would be able to hold that sharp chisel edge while I painted the little arcs that would represent the clay tiles of the roof.
I’m also showing my brush cleaner in this photograph. I'll talk more about that in the next blog.
The only thing I’m an expert at in the art world is knowing what I like. So, I can’t pass on any wisdom about the best kind of brushes, either by type or brand name. However, as with so many things in life, I’ve learned that I get what I pay for. So, the cheapest brushes are no good. They fall apart or they are not shaped properly. I haven’t ever bought a really expensive brush so I can’t speak to those. I mostly buy medium priced brushes. If I find a particular brand of brush that I like in one size, I’m likely to buy it in others.
Even though I’ve decided to work in acrylics, I’ve watched instructional shows and read books about painting in other mediums. I’ve learned about different kinds of brushes that way. The way I figure it, a particular kind of brush will make a similar stroke whether it’s loaded with acrylics, oils or watercolor.
As well, every artist I’ve seen uses the brush a little differently. I’m not afraid to experiment and emulate anyone I see. So, with all that input, I’m pretty sure my own style will emerge and I will find the types of brushes I’m most comfortable with.
The collection of brushes in the photograph above is from my larger collection. These are the brushes I thought would work best with the painting of the bell tower. Since the river stones that are exposed in the structure are rounded, I thought filbert brushes would work best to paint those. The tile roof needed a brush that would hold a sharp chisel edge to help define each individual tile. For that I used a synthetic bristle brush that would be able to hold that sharp chisel edge while I painted the little arcs that would represent the clay tiles of the roof.
I’m also showing my brush cleaner in this photograph. I'll talk more about that in the next blog.
No comments:
Post a Comment