AH-HAH' MOMENTS"

From time to time, while I am working, I have an idea or an "Ah hah!" moment. Some are momentous insights, and some are just small changes in my habits. I would like to share some of these with you. Anything you like, I hope you will implement in your daily painting. Anything you don't, well, just ignore them! I hope these small ideas will increase your enjoyment of painting, perhaps your skill level, and keep you at it!

GLAZE/TINT

In my instructions I use the term “Glaze” quite frequently. This is a transparent layer of color applied over a previously based or floated color, which will accent it and deepen the inner glow of the colors. I generally use this over the highlighted area of the painting, but it can be done anywhere. Using a dampened flat brush, as large as is appropriate for the area, side load in color, palette blend thoroughly and then apply to the area desired. While still wet, use a dry Smop Brush, Series #400 or a Dynasty, Series #200, Dry Brush and gently tap the edges to soften them.

FLOATING AND BRUSH CHOICE

When floating color always use the largest brush possible for the area you are working in. Be sure to take the time to palette blend thoroughly, this will make your floated colors look much softer.

TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR BRUSHES!

prefer the Black Gold and Dynasty brushes from FM Brush Company. Take the time after each use to thoroughly clean your brushes. I use DecoArt Brush Cleaner, to remove any paint accumulation,  then rinse them thoroughly with cool water, never hot. Hot water will just set the paint in your brushes, and melt the glue which holds the hairs inside the ferrule. If you follow this procedure after each use, I am sure that you will find your brushes last much longer and, in the long run, save you money. After all, don't we all like to save money?

WOOD PREPARATION

Lightly sand wood, if needed, with fine sandpaper. An emery board works well in the small areas and edges of wood cutouts. Wipe clean. Fill any imperfections with a wood filler or wood putty, let dry and sand lightly again. Wipe clean and then seal wood with wood sealer, following the manufacturers directions on the container, and let dry. Lightly sand again and wipe clean. Following these steps will give you a very nice painting surface and give your finished work a much more professional quality. It may seem very boring, all this sanding, but it is totally worth your efforts.

THINNING PAINT WITH WATER

Always make sure that you use clean water. Using dirty water can change the color of your paint. Practice keeping two water containers on your work table, one for cleaning brushes, and another for a clean water source.

TRANSPARENT COLORS ON A DARK BACKGROUND

When painting on a very dark background, with colors such as red and yellow, which are more transparent that some colors, it is very helpful to undercoat the patterned areas with an opaque color such as a light grey, this helps the reds and yellow cover much easier with fewer coats of paint.
 

ROSY CHEEKS

Make rosy cheeks, using a DRY,  Dynasty Dry brush, size appropriate for the area. Dip brush into full strength paint and remove excess on paper towel, work brush softly in a circular motion.

LINE WORK

When you are going to do line work, with acrylic paints, using a liner or scroller brush, REMEMBER that you should thin your paint with clean water to an "ink like" consistency. Hold your brush perpendicular to your working surface and apply gentle pressure for fine lines, more pressure for wider areas. Your line work will be much more interesting and effective if it is not all the same width. When I started painting I had a very fun teacher who taught us to say "Skinny, Fat, Skinny" as we were learning to do line work. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE is definitely the rule here.