Quick Tip 6 - Brush Stroke Fundamentals

In Quick Tip 6 Dianne answers the brush stroke fundamentals question that viewers have been asking.

[@PatIreland-tw9lr]

This is exactly what people who are trying to learn painting online need: someone to actually demonstrate the type of basic knowledge that many other instructors just take for granted. People like me, who have never taken an art class ever, have a genuine need for exactly this sort of content (the kind that generally gets ignored because it’s so basic.) Thank you for making this video series.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun with this

[@MsVivian99]

Working my way through ! Wonderful teacher. Thankyou so much !

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure. I hope you are giving these ideas a try.

[@annewright8184]

Yes, this was a great quick tip! Thanks so much, Dianne!

[@sueharper1976]

Just sitting down now to follow your guidance on brushstrokes. I’ll work through my brushes as you suggest, as I can’t get them to do what yours do 😂. Anyway, I painted some cherries this morning, and I remembered to follow the shape of the cherry with the brush as you recommended to me a couple of days ago, and then: how fortuitous that yesterday you warned of the dangers of the halo effect, so I was able to avoid that trap completely!! Ha! I’m learning so much from you, thank you a million times. X

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Keep enjoying the process.

[@TahloolaDarlin]

I can’t believe how I am just finding you now! What a treasure!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Welcome aboard!

[@bodawei425]

Very good tips, Diane. I just started a painting and struggled with the accuracy of my strokes. So this comes at the perfect moment! Thanks

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Getting in the habit of making confident strokes early on will prevent poor habits in the future.

[@sujanikoya2826]

Thank you so much! My fear of painting is going down with these exercises!!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

I am delighted!

[@EpicurusWasRight]

This channel is a goldmine. Thank you!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thank you, too! Enjoy every single one of these Tips.

[@abigailhumes4608]

Thank you so much, Mrs. Mize. I am an older beginner, and I DO try and practice your instruction. It is joy to accomplish and improve. Thank you.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Wonderful! Thanks for watching.

[@greenmacaroni8872]

Great information, Dianne! Thank you, Julie 😍

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Quick Tip 6--Brush Fundamentals "buff.ly/1HZUF3y" buff.ly/1HZUDsx

[@christopheralcantara4378]

Thanks Dianne, I always watch your tutorials.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@harishreddy4034]

That's a lot of useful information in a short clip. Definitely going to practise these. Thanks again.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Practice is the key.

[@harishreddy4034]

@@IntheStudioArtInstruction I practised this yesterday and it was a bit of a revelation. So far I've only learnt by copying impressionist pieces that I liked. First time I put any paint down as practise. It's so much easier to experiment when not trying to do a painting. Also realized I can mess around with color combinations while doing this. Thanks again. I will subscribe to your online lessons once I have gone through your quick tips here.

[@jimreid9674]

Never knew you had to be a golfer to be able to paint. Do you shout fore when you make a brushstroke?

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Something new to learn every day 😉

[@alkasarin1073]

All tips are bestest Dianne. Treasure trove of knowledge

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks, Alka.

[@JJ33438]

this is a wonderful lesson I did not know this thank you so much.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun with it.

[@EthanS1481]

Thank you for that! wonderful channel!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure!

[@michelemaliano7860]

I don’t do the kind of painting that would utilize this technique often. However, practicing this tip will improve my brush strokes for the type of painting that I do. Great tip.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Michelle, most brush techniques are universal, not limited to any style.

[@ranron65]

Thank you so much. Great channel 🎈❤️

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks for watching.

[@tamaraplecas8231]

Thank you so much for the video!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure!

[@dianele608]

I have to remember to load the brush from both sides. I usually run out of paint.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Loading the brush is one of the basic skills of painting.

[@claraedouwesdekker6389]

What a wonderful tip! Even more homework! I am learning so much. Thank you, bless you.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Great! Keep practicing these Tips!

[@mangeshdani6411]

Thanks Ma'am 🙏

[@GKganesan]

Useful, thank you!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure.

[@user-eo1nx8cv8i]

Great tips, old school teacher, thanks!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks for watching.

[@onstageinlondon]

As a beginner, just what I need!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Great!

[@martimajor4766]

So good. Thx!!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Our pleasure!

[@essejd]

Terrific thanks 🌸

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You’re welcome 😊

[@jewelldean3775]

It’s been so interesting watching the tips. Now I have a request. I’m wondering about brushes you may have already told us what brushes are best to use in different ways I am I am interested in oil painting andWhat kind of brushes work best with all else thank you for all your effort for us

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Very early on when we first began doing these Tips, I did three where I focused on individual brushes. Quick Tip 70 begins with the flat brush _ kzbin.info/www/bejne/gavEZ3-Iqd1gqKc - then 71 and 72 look at the filbert and fan. The If you begin with the link I give you here, they other two should follow.

[@mastanarts]

best tip ever. tnx a lot

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure.

[@allenvoss7977]

Diane I’m looking for tips on what type of brush to use when blocking in ? Not so much the size but what type of hair? synthetic, bristled , hog hair ???? I am using a slow dry medium also. With no turp . It’s a struggle. And when I add tip outs to thin. it seems like the synthetic brush is smoothing it out the easiest though. what do you recommend?

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Allen, different artists prefer different brushes for blocking in. For larger pieces I prefer a softer hog bristle filbert or flat, the larger the better. Frankly, if you're not using the layering method, you might do better to ditch the medium altogether and instead condition the canvas before beginning. See Quick Tip 309.

[@allenvoss7977]

@@IntheStudioArtInstruction in regards to the blocking in. I want this dry time to be fast . so I put a fast dry medium and work in some turp also. I’m not putting nearly as much turp in now and it’s working really well now. My question is , once the blocking in is dry to touch I am using linseed for the remainder of the painting , and towards the very end just straight paint . working thin to fat . Do you think this is a good system ? and is the linseed oil a good idea to keep the painting from cracking down the road since I’m not painting wet on wet? I feel that once my blocking in as accomplished the rest of what I do is balance and the detail in that paint can stay wet as long as it wants to be wet it’s getting past that block in stage. And another question , when you’re waiting for the block in to dry is it a good idea to start a new painting?

[@stanTrX]

Golden tips! 👏

[@stanTrX]

Is it bad to paint canvas on table? Dont have an easel.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

An easel is beneficial only because it allows you to get a better perspective of your work, but working flat is fine.

[@stanTrX]

@@IntheStudioArtInstruction good because i am an acrylic amateur on a budget. Thank you for all the golden tips on your videos. I prefer acrylic as it is simpler for me but i see that almost every video applies to acrylic medium too..

[@steveharpin8885]

Forget painting, I'm going to play golf!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun!

[@SwatiOhri]

Thankyou so much❤️

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You’re welcome 😊

[@roseeartworksnl7992]

Great quick tip! Diane, how would you hold a shorter brush. I use acrylics. Thank you!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

The further away from the ferrule you hold it, the more leverage you have.

[@genevievesosnowski9015]

Thank you, what is the correct way to paint if you have to sit?

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

The way that's most comfortable to you is always the correct way to paint.

[@cynthiamarston2208]

Its a weakness of mine. New brushes in the mail. Ill simply practice with them at first and think about that shoulder involvement. My question is why? Why shoulder?

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Cynthia, it's because the shoulder is more closely connected to the rest of the body. The more of the body that makes the painting, the more alive the painting can be. It's much more than just a finger/wrist thing.

[@chayita7]

Thanks for another eye-opener! Is it possible to paint correctly sitting down? It seems that spaceis needed to paint from the shoulder, etc.. Do you ever paint sitting down? How would it work, then?

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Each painter finds the way that works best for them. Richard Schmid paints sitting down, I paint standing. What matters is that you are comfortable, but give your arms freedom to move.

[@chayita7]

@@IntheStudioArtInstruction Thank you for an explanation which covers both possibilities! I also learn alot from your replies to all the viewers.I have been meaning to ask for a long time: What do you dip your brushes into when changing colors during a Quick Tip demonstration? Do you ever use turpentine per se' - or only odorless mineral spirits?

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

I haven't used turpentine in decades. I keep my brushes rinsed with odorless mineral spirits, mostly Turpenoid.

[@sueharper1976]

By the way, I’m using acrylic paint on paper rather than canvas. Is there anything different about painting on paper? Also, I haven’t invested in all these strange sounding mediums yet, tho I see you have a Quick Tip on them too. So do you think my painting will suffer due to a lack of medium? Other than water of course.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

I rarely us a medium with oils. Acrylic and oils work very much the same with the exception that acrylic dries much faster. That can be controlled with mastering using fine mists of water on the painting and on the palette. If you are using acrylic on unprimed paper, the water in the acrylic will soak into the paper causing the paint to dry much faster. If you prime the paper with acrylic gesso, you eliminate that problem. Don't worry about using all those fancy mediums. Just learn how to control the paint.

[@sueharper1976]

@@IntheStudioArtInstruction thank you so much for this advice. I’d never have realised I needed to gesso paper. And I’d much prefer to just keep with water. Thank you again

[@semdailyart7102]

Brilliante tip mama love u

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thank you.

[@jumanas4012]

thanks

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Welcome

[@xBwahx]

Does this apply at all when working on a desk and not standing?

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Yes. The important thing is to keep as much as possible of your body involved.

[@James-sv2cs]

What if youre doing something where you need precision?

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You will be surprised how much these exercises will contribute to precision.

[@jameswester333]

Diane - is this what you recommend if there are a lot of leafs?

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

James, I don't recommend any particular brushstrokes for particular images. Textures in leaves are more dependent upon value relationships than brushstrokes. See Quick Tip 154.

[@jameswester333]

@@IntheStudioArtInstruction Thank you!

[@dconfused9919]

Is the canvas dry?

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

I always very slightly dampen the raw canvas with a 50/50 mixture of poppy oil and Gamsol. The surface is not wet, very slightly dampened enough not to resist the oil.

[@DanStratocaster1]

I’m so awful at painting. I think it’s hindering me because I’ve done so much “house painting” muscle memory is fixed.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Practice, practice, practice.

[@cassandrak9753]

Thank. You, you play golf don’t you

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

I wish. I love watching the game, but have never taken it up.

[@lOwlEyesl]

whats your facebook page called?

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

+xxOwLEyeSxx Join us at Composing & Drawing Tips Forum on Face Book.