08
Mar
2022
Selecting your paintbrush like a pro

Selecting your paintbrush like a pro

Trying to make the best paintbrush selection? We’ve alleviated some of the worries by compiling some guidelines for picking a paintbrush.

Desired Results

The quality of the tools you employ is just as critical as the approach you utilize. Brushes of superior quality will cost more than brushes of lesser quality. Superior grade paintbrushes feature flagged bristles, which means that the ends of each bristle are divided. They are engineered to better hold paint and leave fewer brush scratches on your surface.

Avoid attempting to save a few bucks on your paintbrushes, particularly for huge visible areas. Using a high-quality paintbrush on a job makes a significant impact. If you want a flawless finish, you must spend appropriately. While purchasing lesser brushes may be more cost-effective, high-quality brushes will last longer with appropriate cleaning and storing.

A less expensive brush will do for tasks that do not demand a high level of finish. Touch-ups or minor paint jobs may suffice. You can also apply deck stain or sealer well using a large, cheap brush.

Maintain the Life of Your Brushes

A paintbrush that is properly cared for may endure numerous jobs. Brushes should be cleaned after each usage to prolong their life. After usage, foam brushes and inexpensive brushes may be discarded. When properly cleaned after each use, high-quality paintbrushes may last a long time.

If the paintbrush is applied properly using the brush, no paint should ever accumulate in the belly of the brush. Not more than half of the bristles should be painted.

The solvent you use to clean your paintbrush will vary according to the kind of paint you are using. The best recommendation is to follow the guidelines on how to clean your paintbrush provided by the paint manufacturer. Typically, these directions are printed on the paint container.

Paints That Are Water-Soluble

If your brush is made of latex or similar water-soluble paint, you may clean it using a specially formulated brush detergent. Dish detergent, on the other hand, will efficiently remove the paint off the bristles and is far less costly.

Clean as deeply into the bristle as possible. While washing with warm water, press the brush down on a surface to force the bristles to splay. Rub the bristles with a sponge equipped with a light-scrubbing surface to remove any caked-on paint. Then rinse, rinse, rinse some more. If you paint often, you may choose to invest in a brush comb, a specialist instrument with wide-set metal teeth meant to separate the bristles of a paintbrush while cleaning.

Paint with an oil base

If you’re using oil-based paint, swirl the brush for 30 seconds in a cup of paint thinner or lacquer thinner, then wipe the paintbrush against the cup’s side. You may need to continue this step many times until no paint is seen flowing from the brush. Wash the brush one last time with soap and water, shake it out, allow it to dry, then keep it in the sleeve it came in.

Shake the brush a few times to align the bristles and hang to dry, allowing the bristles to breathe. This aids in the paint brush’s rapid and proper drying. Once dry, re-sleeve your brushes to keep the bristles flat and protected. Keep the cardboard coverings that come with more expensive brushes and reattach them for storage. Visit http://markdanielsjrfishing.com/the-right-way-to-handle-a-paintbrush/ to read about The Right Way to Handle a Paintbrush.

If properly maintained, a decent paintbrush can provide several benefits. Taking the effort to properly clean and preserve them is critical to their lifetime.

Oil and acrylic paint brushes

Brushes with supple bristles

Smooth paint strokes are achieved with soft brushes. Sable, mongoose, or soft synthetic brushes are good for blended, flat paint surfaces. The paint’s consistency should be somewhat fluid with these brushes since they lack the power to apply heavy body paint (like thick, buttery acrylics). This also means they are ineffective for wet-in-wet layering, a technique that needs hard paint.

Long-bristled, soft brushes are ideal for creating irregular, “hairy” traces at the end of a brushstroke—a characteristic that comes in handy when depicting things that need delicate lines, such as hair and grass.

Bristles with a rougher texture are ideal for producing rough effects or thick impasto layers. Hog bristle and stiff, springy synthetics are ideal for thick paint and will create artistic imprints in the pigment. They may be loaded with paint and are a favorite among wet-in-wet painters; they can be dragged over wet paint, making them perfect for layering.

When used with fluid paint or insufficient paint, these brushes create scratchy, unattractive areas or markings.

Brushes often used in oils and acrylics

Flat

Flat brushes are really useful. Their large bristles let them lay down smooth swaths of color, create lengthy, dramatic strokes, or create tiny, crisp lines when used in conjunction with their edges. The edges of marks formed with a flat brush are distinctively square.

Round

Round brushes are available with pointy or blunt ends. Both may be used to make a modulated, linear mark by varying the amount of pressure applied during the stroke; the pointed round is perfect for fine detail. They create an uneven, fractured patch of color when used on their sides in a scribbling motion.

Filbert

Filberts are flat brushes with a long bristle length and a rounded tip. These brushes, which are popular among figurative painters, can generate a range of markings from wide to linear, without the square edge of a flat brush. When used on its side in a scribbling motion, filberts may also create a flat area of color with no discernible brush strokes.

Bright

The brilliant is a flat paintbrush with a short bristle that is suitable for quick, controlled strokes. It is suitable for use with thick paint and, like the flat, leaves markings with defined, square borders. It is not appropriate for wet-in-wet layering; the short, stiff bristles of a brilliant will remove rather than contribute to the underlayer of paint.

Fan

Fan brushes are flat, spread brushes with a spherical tip. While the fan is not used to produce the majority of a painting, it is useful for modifying markings and generating unique textural effects. Fans may be used to merge and soften the edges of painted forms, or to stipple or flick paint onto the canvas, which makes them ideal for representing grasses or fur.

Posted by Samantha Butlin in Paint and Sip
08
Mar
2022
The Right Way to Handle a Paintbrush

The Right Way to Handle a Paintbrush

When it comes to using a paintbrush, a little knowledge goes a long way. These straightforward recommendations can save you time and money while assisting you in achieving professional outcomes.

Because painting seems to be a relatively simple activity, homeowners usually choose to do it themselves to save money. However, if you are unfamiliar with a few fundamental tactics, the whole process may devolve into a huge, irritating mess. Because the adage “you can work hard or you can work smart” is especially relevant when it comes to painting, we’re going to provide some expert tips and strategies for properly using a paintbrush.

Begin small

You may believe that a larger paintbrush would save you time, and you are correct in principle, but a smaller paintbrush will provide you with far more control. Begin with a 112-inch angled paintbrush until you’ve mastered the methods, then go to a larger size if desired.

Choose quality

When it comes to paintbrush buying, you’ll find a broad variety of rates. While it’s tempting to get a cheap paintbrush since you can’t notice the difference in the shop, believe us when we say that you get what you pay for. Purchase the most expensive paintbrush you can afford; you will not be disappointed. Additionally, before you begin painting with your new paintbrush, ensure that it is well prepared.

Choke up on the paint brush

In baseball, “choking up” on the bat simply refers to bringing your hands closer to the point at which the bat makes contact with the ball, increasing accuracy. Similarly, you will have better control over your paintbrush if you move your hand as near to the bristles as possible without really touching them. Your hand will be more accurate if it is closer to the action.

When cutting in to create a clean, straight line, softly press the paintbrush down into the surface a little distance away from the desired edge, then work your way over to the line. The pressure will assist your hand in remaining stable and evenly distributing the paint. Assure that the paintbrush has enough paint on it to push a very little bead of paint down the line. Click here to read about The right way to preserve a paintbrush and other painting tips.

Avoid using a whole can of paint

—Pour three-quarters of the can into your roller tray before painting a room. Utilize the remaining paint in the container to cut in the walls to the ceiling. This will prevent you from plunging the paintbrush too deeply into the paint and smearing it all over your hands and the brush’s stock. There is no need to paint from a full can for small jobs; instead, consider a paint-assistant tool, which doubles as a convenient carrying handle for one- and two-quart containers and also doubles as a magnetized paintbrush holder and paint-can opener; putty knife, paintbrush, and roller cleaner; and belt hook.

Avoid wiping the paint off the paint brush

Most individuals immediately wipe the paintbrush on the can’s side after dipping it in the paint. Avoid succumbing to temptation! While you do not want your brush to be dripping with paint, you also do not want to wipe it clean of the majority of it. Rather than cleaning the paintbrush, gently slap it on the interior of the container several times, as if ringing a bell.

Breathe continuously during the stroke—While this may sound silly at first, a stable hand needs oxygen—it’s physiological truth. When many individuals have a natural propensity to hold their breath while focusing, this may really work against you. Anyone who is proficient in billiards, darts, archery, or any other activity that demands a steady hand will tell you that breathing is critical.

Avoid clogging it

To ensure that your paintbrush performs best, you must maintain it clean of excess paint. The easiest technique to prevent muck buildup is to utilize the paint brush’s first inch or two.

If you follow these suggestions and practices regularly, your painting abilities will improve and your whole experience, as well as the outcomes, will be far more satisfying. Check out about The Best Way to Get Rid of Muck on a Pond’s Bottom

Adding paint to the paint brush

There is an appropriate method for loading paint into a paintbrush. You may use paint directly from the tin or ‘decant’ it into a painting bucket. If you’re painting with a brush rather than a roller, there are two methods to transport paint while painting: –

  • Paint Can Handle: A Canclaw may be used. This hooks onto the tin and serves as a convenient handle for transporting the paint tin.
  • Paint Pail: If you wish to decant the paint into a paint pail, most paint dealers have a few essential goods. Some even have disposable liners – really convenient.

How to load a paint brush correctly

To prevent the paintbrush from being overloaded with paint and leaking, dip it just halfway into the paint and tap both sides of the brush on the edge of the paint tin or pail. This results in the paint being loaded onto the inside of the brush. Scrape the paint from the brush by running it over the tin or pail’s edge. This only takes the paint off the brush, rendering it inefficient.

Cutting-in

The best method for huge flat wall sections is to use a roller and tray. For “cutting in,” a paintbrush is used.    

This is the section where you paint the corners of walls and ceilings, as well as the area surrounding baseboards and door/window trim. Typically, a paintbrush is used to cut in since it provides maximum control.

  • If you are right-handed, cut through the wall at the ceiling corners from left to right. If you are left-handed, do the inverse. This way, you can see how smoothly the paint is flowing.
  • When cutting in, push the brush against the wall with just enough pressure to bend the bristles.
  • If the cut-in corner is painted in two different colours – such as a wall or ceiling – the lighter colour paint should reach slightly into the darker colour region. After that, the deeper colour paint would be cut-in and painted over the lighter colour.

Brush-painting bigger flat surfaces

This is often accomplished using a roller and tray, but if a wider area must be painted with a paintbrush, a different approach for applying and dispersing the paint is necessary.

  • Hold the paint brush at a 45-degree angle and use diagonal strokes to paint the area. Again, apply just enough pressure on the bristles against the wall to flex them. The paint will most likely be applied a bit thickly here.
  • Then, using horizontal strokes, spread the paint evenly throughout the wide surface.
  • Straightening out
  • After applying the paint, the following step is to smooth it out. This section requires dexterity, so take your time.
  • Lightly drag the paint brush over the surface in long smooth strokes to level out the painted surface. The goal here is to remove paint brush strokes that go in random directions. Always work the paint brush into the wet paint with a circular motion.
  • Lift the paint brush from the surface at the conclusion of each brush stroke. This lifting movement contributes to the feathering of the paint and the creation of a smoother surface.
Posted by Samantha Butlin in Painting
08
Mar
2022
The right way to preserve a paintbrush and other painting tips

The right way to preserve a paintbrush and other painting tips

You should not be required to purchase a new paintbrush each time you paint. Professional painters may reuse their equipment for months, if not years since they are carefully clean and care for it after each work.

If you want to replicate this feat, keep the following points in mind:

Maintain Your Paint brush

Rinse and clean all brushes immediately after painting with the recommended cleansers or paint thinner. For stains, shellac, varnish, and oil-based paints use a paint thinner or turpentine; for latex and acrylic paints, use basic soap and water. Purchase an inexpensive comb (or go through your drawers for an old one) and use it to clean and comb out the bristles.

Remove dried-on paints off brushes and handles, as well as other painting equipment and supplies, using a stainless-steel wire paintbrush. This will prolong the life of your brushes and help avoid control difficulties caused by dried-on paint and buildup.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT SOAK BRUSHES

While soaking the paintbrush for a minute or two can help release stuck-on paint, avoid soaking brushes in soapy water or paint thinner between usage. This will cause them to lose their shape and may cause natural-bristle brushes to swell, resulting in a distorted shape and subsequent unsatisfactory painting results.

Brushes should never be stored on their bristles

Hang brushes to dry and store if possible. You may also keep them flat but take care that nothing gets pushed up into the bristles. When a paintbrush is held on its tip, it curls and renders the working tip unusable for future painting projects.

Consider Professional Painters

If you’re having difficulty executing (or simply planning) your next painting job, you’re not alone. While the information supplied here will guarantee that you have the proper tools for the task, we cannot supply you with the drive or peace of mind necessary to get started. However, we believe we can provide you with a more advantageous choice. Rather than spending hours selecting the ideal paintbrush, use your time in finding a professional painter to do the job for you.

The benefit of hiring a professional is that they will have all of the necessary equipment and will be knowledgeable about which brushes to use for specific purposes. Additionally, they are capable of doing a wide range of paint jobs of all sorts and sizes, from interior and exterior painting to a variety of residential and commercial projects.

The Proper Way to Use a Paint brush

Painting window frames, skirting, doors, and moldings is a delicate process that requires attention to get the finest results.

Refreshing your skills

Always work in parts and paint up to a natural break before stopping to provide a high-quality finish. Never attempt to paint over a partly dry area, since the bristles of the paintbrush may leave markings on the surface. If you see a run in the wet paint, immediately paint over it with light, equal strokes.

When painting a wall, cutting in is necessary.

Making use of a paint brush

1. Wipe the bristles back and forth to eliminate dust before use. Then, if you’re going to use water-based paint, dampen the paintbrush with water, or mineral turpentine if you’re about to use oil-based paint. Ensure that any extra liquid is removed before painting.

2. Fill the paintbrush halfway up the bristles by dipping in.

3. Gently tap it on the can’s side; avoid wiping the brush directly against the lip. The bristles should bend slightly as you brush – avoid excessive pressure and allow the paint to flow freely from the paintbrush.

4. Begin at the top and work your way down, using light even strokes and working your way back into the wet border.

5. If painting a wide area with a paintbrush, paint an area of 50cm × 50cm, then paint brush the paint in horizontal strokes to smooth it out, followed by gentle vertical strokes in one direction. If you’re using a brush and roller, begin by painting the area’s edges.

Pads for applying paint

Application pads may be used to make cuts in areas with several edges to paint around.

  1. Using a paintbrush, load the pad with paint.
  2. Mount it to the wall, ensuring that the guide wheels are clean, then roll it along the architrave, skirting, or corner.
  3. Stroke with long, even strokes and forceful pressure.

Artist’s Brushes: The most popular kind of artist’s paintbrush is the round paintbrush. They include a circular tip, which makes it simple to apply a variety of lines in a range of textures.

The flat brush is the second most common kind of paintbrush. You may either hold them flat on their wide side to produce a thick line or on their side to add a narrower line.

Filbert brushes feature a rounded tip with a central protrusion. You may use them to create a variety of different-sized strokes simply angling the bristles against the surface.

Bristles on fan brushes flare out to the sides. They’re perfect for incorporating distinctive textures and embellishments.

Rigger brushes are very long and delicate. They’re perfect for drawing little, delicate strokes, particularly if you’re attempting to create straight, non-bleeding lines.

In a coloring job, your clothes often get dirty, that cannot be easily cleaned at home, in that case, you need the services of a professional laundromat, a laundry delivery service near you that can help in removing hard to remove color stains.

If you’re planning a painting project, your first concern should be to get the appropriate equipment. After all, the entire idea of doing things yourself is to save money. If you wind up hiring someone to come in and repair your work because you utilized the incorrect paintbrushes or equipment for the task, you’ve effectively undermined the point of completing the work yourself.

If you’re unsure about doing the task yourself, contact the professionals. If you believe you are up to the task, give yourself an advantage by storing up on all the necessary brushes, whether you need 3 or 10. Keeping the facts presented herein in mind will make selecting (and caring for) your paintbrushes and other painting equipment much simpler.

Final thoughts

The tips mentioned here will help you preserve your paintbrush. Check out about Selecting your paintbrush like a pro.

Posted by Samantha Butlin in Color paint
02
Sep
2021
8 Good reasons to visit a paint and sip studio in Gold Coast

8 Good reasons to visit a paint and sip studio in Gold Coast

Paint and sip Gold Coast parties are often fun, exciting, and memorable experiences. You would be missing out if you never visited a paint and sip studio or joined a paint and sip Gold Coast party. For more information about Paint & Sip in Gold Coast, click here. Click here to read more about Paint and Sip studio in Gold Coast.

The first thing that pops into your head when you hear about paint and drink is how enjoyable it is, correct? Yes. Even as a child, I’ve always had the same outlook on things.

Most people believe that a paint and sip Gold Coast event is just a combination of painting and drinking, however this is not true. At the end of the day, it’s all about the experience.

Many new chances await you at the paint and sip studio in Gold Coast. While paint and sip Gold Coast studios are different entities, here are the top eight reasons you must visit one near you.

Having more ideas will help you be more creative

Do you feel you’ve spent a lot of time with this organization? Occasionally, it becomes tedious. While I am not attempting to hold your job down, it is true that work obligations may drain your creative capacity.

Incorporating artwork into your day-to-day activities helps you to use your creative talents naturally. Specifically, it challenges distinct regions of your brain rather than engaging any other. It’s a great method to use your creative talents and therefore activate parts of your brain that had otherwise been dormant.

While I agree with that statement, you will also agree with me that it is best to attend a paint and sip Gold Coast studio on the weekends, even if it is not possible during the week. To begin with, you will have less stress on weekdays because of it. That, in turn, will affect your thoughts and ideas, resulting in a greater level of productivity at work.

It helps you to be an artist by inspiring you

No one is born an artist. Yes. The more you practice, the better you will get, which is something a paint and sip studio can provide. To what extent do I mean? The first time you visit, you will have no doubt that you’ll be returning again and again. And, in the blink of an eye, a thundering explosion occurs. Now you are an enthusiastic painter.

Keep painting, and you’ll eventually get better at it. The artist in you will slowly come to the surface.

It is a great method to go out of your comfort zone.

Even after doing the same thing every day, life might grow dull if you aren’t able to experience new things. In this COVID 19 age, most people will be confined to inside, and this calls for inventive approaches.

Watching TV, reading your favorite books, playing video games, phoning your friends and family, and painting provide escape routes from the monotony of doing the same things day after day.

You have the choice to customize it as you like. Whether you want to have a drink and attend a paint and sip Gold Coast studio in your area or host in your house, there are several options available.

New individuals will come into your life.

So be sure to make the trek up to the Gold Coast if you’re interested in visiting a paint and sip studio; you will always feel thankful you did. Why? Paint and sip studios are an emerging trend in this area of the world, and people in Australia are starting to become used to spending hours in them.

Thus, a paint and sip Gold Coast workshop offers the opportunity to make new acquaintances with shared interests. Could you explain that to me? You will have the opportunity to meet people from all social strata, and from there, you may begin a more laid-back connection and build a more lucrative and important commercial relationship.

It might link you with pals you haven’t seen in a while

Are you sick of talking on the phone with your old pals or making videos calls that don’t provide you the opportunity to meet them in person? Having the opportunity to visit a paint and sip Gold Coast studio may be fantastic. It’s not expensive. Since all of your destinations will be based in various studios, you’ll simply have to request the place for which you would want to visit and meet up.

Imagine how nice it would be to meet old friends to study new painting techniques together in the same workshop. Experience is far better than theory. I believe I am due some sort of reward for that lovely gathering concept.

It’s a great chance to design and decorate your home differently.

When you visit a paint and sip workshop, you will not return home without bringing something back with you. At least you have made a few paintings that will prove that you were there. When your new painting is finished, you may put it on the wall of your house.

You may have this in your room since it is something you will enjoy laughing about when you are alone. If you’re proud enough to put the artwork in your living room, it’s preferable to position it in the space where others can see it. Although there are no hard and fast laws, be mindful of the following:

New tracks are on the radio.

Have you ever thought of sitting in a comfortable, air-conditioned location, having your beverages close by, and listening to a skilled DJ play music that you enjoy? When you attend a paint and sip studio, you will receive that.

In almost every paint and sip class, you will hear music from the current music scene that makes you feel good and helps you stay focused as you paint. It follows that the more time you spend in paint and sip courses, the more new songs you will learn. There is no getting around that. Music cannot be divorced from art.

It is a wonderful method to mark significant occasions.

When picking the ideal venue to celebrate birthdays or other special events, you will inevitably run out of alternatives. This post has just offered one of the finest choices you will ever find if you find yourself in that situation.

Having your friends and family around to paint and sip is a fantastic idea.

Posted by Samantha Butlin in Painting
02
Sep
2021
Acrylic painting tips for paint and sip beginners in Gold Coast

Acrylic painting tips for paint and sip beginners in Gold Coast

Acrylic paint is an excellent medium for paint and sip Gold Coast novices due to its low cost, water soluble nature, short drying time, versatility, and forgiving nature. If you’re not satisfied with an area you’ve painted, simply allow it to dry and re-paint it in a couple of minutes. Acrylic is a plastic polymer, which means that it may be painted on any surface that does not contain wax or oil. Unlike oils, acrylics do not require hazardous solvents and are readily cleaned with soap and water. Learn the techniques of the trade, and you’ll soon be able to channel your inner Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, or Rembrandt utilizing a forgiving medium these painters were unfamiliar with when they created their masterpieces. You can know more about paint and sip Gold coast by visiting https://www.pinotandpicasso.com.au/goldcoast/

Purchase of Paint and Brushes

Numerous manufacturers provide acrylic paints in fluid or liquid form, as well as paste- or butter-like consistency. Paint and sip Gold Coast artists will have a favourite brand depending on factors such as color selection and paint consistency. Look for the American Society for Testing and Materials rating on the tube to determine the pigment’s lightfastness.

You do not, however, need to purchase a box of 64 distinct colors, as unlike crayons, paints may be combined to create an endless variety of effects. As a paint and sip Gold Coast enthusiast, you can begin with ten to twelve basic colors and gradually add hues. Paint and sip Gold Coast enthusiasts may begin with even less colors if you include certain fundamental colors, such as white, black, and brown.

For thick acrylic paint, you’ll need stiff-bristled brushes; for watercolor effects, you’ll need soft-bristled brushes. You’ll be presented with a variety of sizes and forms (round, flat, and pointed), as well as handle lengths. If your money is limited, begin with a little and a medium-sized filbert (a flat, pointed brush). Filberts are an excellent choice since they produce a small brush mark when used alone, and a broad one when pushed down. Additionally, a nice medium-sized flat brush will be beneficial. Depending on which edge you choose, you may get a wider or a narrower stroke. It produces a more defined brushstroke than a filbert brush does.

Modern synthetic brushes may be of exceptional quality; thus, do not limit your decision to brushes made entirely of natural hairs such as sable. Consider brushes with hairs that quickly bounce back up when bent. With brushes, you often get what you pay for, which means that the less expensive the brush, the more probable the hairs will come off. Oftentimes, assortment sets include a detail brush, a filbert, a medium-sized flat, and a 1-inch flat for preparing big areas.

Additional supplies that may be useful include round brushes for drybrush stippling/pouncing (for example, when painting fur and texture) and a stylus for placing perfect tiny round dots or transferring drawn designs to a surface using transfer or graphite paper, but these are not required at the outset.

Supports: Supplies for Painting

Acrylics work well on canvas, canvas boards, wood panels, and paper. Anything that acrylic paint will adhere to—test first if in doubt. If you are purchasing a readymade canvas or board, ensure that it has been primed with an acrylic-compatible primer (most are).

Acrylics may be used on wooden, glass, or plastic palettes, although it might be tedious to remove all the dried paint. Disposable palettes—pads of paper with a top sheet that you rip off and discard—resolve this issue. If the paint dries out too quickly, consider using a palette intended to keep the paint moist. The paint is placed on top of a moist piece of watercolor paper on a sheet of wax paper.

Maintain Wet Acrylics

One of the difficulties for beginner paint and sip Gold Coast painters is that, while they work slowly and carefully on their painting, the acrylic paint on their palette dries. When paint and sip Gold Coast novices attempt to reload their brush with paint, they realize that it has become unusable, necessitating a re-mixing of the color, which may be difficult. To avoid this, begin with the composition’s biggest forms and work fast, using the largest brush possible, for as long as feasible. Reserving the details and tiny brushes until last. Proceed from the broad to the specific. Additionally, this will assist in preventing your painting from getting too tight.

Keep a plant mister on hand to wet the colors on your palette while you work to prevent them from drying out. Additionally, you may spray water straight onto your canvas or paper to keep the paint workable and to create a variety of other painting effects, such as drips and smears.

Additionally, you may lengthen the drying period of the colors by combining them with an extender, such as Liquitex Slo-Dri Blending Medium.

Changing the Color of Paint

Acrylic paint colors typically dry darker than they are while wet, especially with less costly paints that include a greater binder to pigment ratio. When this occurs, add increasingly lighter coats of paint until the desired hue is achieved. This layering frequently improves the picture by increasing the depth and richness of the color.

Additionally, student-grade paints are more translucent. To combat this, add a trace of titanium white or a trace of white gesso to the color. Gesso is a paint-like material comparable to acrylic but thinner. This slightly lightens (tints) the color and achieves the desired opacity. Additionally, you may combine a color that is similar but opaquer with a color that is more transparent, for example, cadmium yellow with translucent yellow. If you’re attempting to totally conceal an underlying layer, coat it with gesso or a medium gray before applying the following color.

Brush Maintenance

Avoid over-loading your brushes as you paint—several thinner layers build up more color than a few large globs—and retain or scrape away excess paint from the ferrule, since it’s difficult to remove after it dries. Paint that has dried in the ferrule region of your brushes might damage them. While painting, keep your brushes submerged in water to prevent the paint from drying in them. Maintain a small layer of water in a container to keep the brushes moist without wetting the handles (which will cause the lacquer to peel off) and a separate container to clean the brushes between colors.

When you’re through painting, immediately clean the brushes with soap and water, ensuring that you reach all the way to the base of the bristles; rinse and dry them thoroughly, then lay them flat. Store them laying down or standing on end, bristles pointing upward. Dry them horizontally, not vertically. Place them in this position only when they have completely dried. And never, ever store the bristles down.

Posted by Samantha Butlin in Paint and Sip, Painting

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