FOLK  FANCIES 
Designs for the Decorative Painter
by Susan V. Cochrane

TECHNIQUES - 2

LINEWORK:  A variety of brushes can be used for linework. On many pieces, a liner, scroller, toler,  round or flat can be used to paint wide or thin lines. Many people prefer the use of Flow Mediums or Extenders to help lengthen the open time and aid in a smoother, longer application of paint.  Just stroking a liner brush into thinned paint (paint + water) will suffice most often. First, dampen the brush into water and blot the bristles onto a paper towel. Stroke the bristles into the thinned paint from the edge of the paint puddle, pulling along the length of the hairs to shape it, alternating sides (a round or liner does not appear to have sides, just turn the brush as you stroke). You need a well loaded brush. The paint should go almost to the ferrule. Stroke excess paint off the tip for a sharper point.

DRYBRUSH:  Start with a dry brush, an old flat, filbert or round, or squeeze out the moisture if any exists. Load the brush and wipe off any excess onto a paper towel so that it is almost dry of paint. Gently skim the surface or use a dusting motion so that only the tips of the bristles touch the surface. Colour must be applied gradually to avoid blobs or matted looking areas. The effect will vary depending upon the wetness or dryness of the paint and the amount of pressure applied. This technique is very useful to create softened shadows, highlights or tints.

WASH:  Paint + water = wash (thinned paint). Mix a small amount of paint with a larger amount of water to create a wash with ink like consistency. This technique is used to fade out parts of the design (to mute the look or tone it down) or to change the value, intensity or hue. It is a transparent application of paint used over entire or partial areas of any design. Avoid applying washes with a dripping brush as this will only create puddles on the surface.

STIPPLING:  Dip an old scruffy brush (flat, filbert or specialty brush) into paint and dab it onto the palette to remove excess paint. Pounce the bristles up and down on a dry surface to create a textured effect (fur, flower centers, tree foliage, etc.) The look should be light and airy. When stippling one colour over another, some of the previous colour should show through. The flaired bristles will tend to collect dried balls of paint. Rinse the bristles and thoroughly dry, reload and start again.  Stippling onto a damp or wet surface will result in a vague, muted look with no sharpness.

SPATTERING:  Paint can be used straight from the bottle or diluted with water to various consistencies. Always practice to be sure of results. Protect the areas you do not wish spattered including the area around the project as well as yourself. Load an old toothbrush or flat brush into paint and tap off the excess onto a palette. Pull the bristles across the edge of a palette knife or use your thumb. The effect will be a 'snowy' look depending on how large or small the spatters. An excellent background technique which helps to fill in negative areas or add that extra finishing touch.

SPONGING:  Using a natural or cellulose sponge, wet the sponge and squeeze out all of the moisture. Dab the sponge into the paint and pounce it onto the palette until most or all of the excess paint is gone. Lightly touch or dab the sponge using a tapping motion onto a background colour, varying the direction and position. When sponging one colour over another, some of the previous sponging should show through. The look will soften the more often you dab. Clean the sponge between colour changes, unless otherwise directed. An easy, fast way to finish the insides, back, sides or open design areas of cupboards, signs, placques, trunks ... you name it!

SMUDGING:  This technique is excellent for clothing or to soften any sharp areas. Just skim your finger tip over the wet paint and this will pull the paint even farther, softening and lengthening/widening the original application. Examples of use would be skirt folds, leaves, flowers.

PAT BLENDING:  Touch the colour to the center of the dampened area, wipe the brush and pat blend working the paint away from the touched area (sometimes following the contours of an object).

WALKING COLOUR:  Use this technique when you want shading or highlighting to cover a larger area. Apply the first float, then repeat the shape quickly with several more strokes. Move the stroke over each time 1/8" to 1/16".

Copyright Susan V. Cochrane, 2008.