Today’s question comes from Patti and she writes:
“I am a beginner, and need to know what brushes or drawing tools i should use to paint fine detail, eg, outline of facial features, or outline of house, and also tell me if i first paint the background and then do the outlines, or do i first do the outlines and then colour it in?”
Do you have any information that may help Patti?
Please leave your response in the comments box below. Thanks!









FREE ebook, "Inside The Artist's Studio" - includes step by step art demonstrations by professional artists! To receive this FREE ebook right away delivered to your email, simply fill in the form below. By filling in your name and email below, you will also be subscribed to our free monthly newsletter.
SUSAN on Thu, 15th Jan 2009 3:28 am
HI PATTI, I HAVE FOUND THAT DOING THE BACKGROUND FIRST IS THE WAY I PREFER. THAT WAY I CAN GET RIGHT UP TO MY LAYOUT OUTLINES. IF I HAPPEN TO GO OVER IT IS THEN EASY TO COVER UP(IN ACRYLICS AND OILS). WITH WATERCOLORS I DO THE LIGHTS FIRST NO MATTER WHAT PART THEY ARE ON AND PROCEED TO THE DARKEST.
I HAVE FOUND A LOT OF ARTISTS ON YOU TUBE. JUST GO ON YOUTUBE.COM AND IN THE SEARCH BOX TYPE FINE ART PAINTING DEMOS AND A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF TECHNIQUES CAN BE FOUND THERE. MY PERSONAL FAVORITES ARE ARTBYTV.COM ARTIST JOHN BOSLER AND DENNIS SHEEHAN.COM. ALSO JERRYSARTARAMA.COM HAS A FREE VIDEO LESSONS ON ALL TYPES OF MEDIA. HOPE THIS HELPS AND GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PAINTINGS. SUSAN
Patti on Thu, 15th Jan 2009 7:36 am
Thanks so much Susan, appreciate all advice
Raymond Mosier on Thu, 15th Jan 2009 3:46 pm
Patti,
I sometimes do ink and watercolor. My technique is to carefully plan the work doing a sketch on the watercolor paper with a 6H pencil and then using a thin watercolor wash of the general shapes, differing the values of the washes. A single layer glaze in certain areas increases the appeal of the final work.
After the paper is dry, I use india ink with a dip pen to apply the outlines and textures. A mixture of precise and loose lines matches the color application and allows me to strengthen the composition.
Patti on Tue, 20th Jan 2009 7:41 am
Hi Raymond,
Thanks so much for your response. I will keep this in mind when i do my next painting. Have a great day, Patti