Brush Techniques for Grass and Trees
Read the rest of this post...
Thrifty Makeovers for Old Brushes
As you'll discover if you shop for brushes, there are a lot to choose from, and everyone has different preferences. It will take some trial and error to find out which ones work for you. If you have a good art supply store in your neighborhood and can afford to buy lots of brushes and experiment, great. However, if you're not in this position, these are some of my ideas for getting more mileage out of your brushes, and making specialty brushes out of old worn-out ones.
These modifications are probably not going to work as well as the real thing, but they should give you an idea of whether or not it's worth purchasing another brush. Please don't go and take your scissors to your nice new brushes. These are ideas for brushes you're ready to throw out anyways...
My Favourite Brushes
I mention my brushes often but I don't always show what they look like. I wrote a section a while ago on how to purchase brushes if you are learning to paint; this is a more in-depth discussion about the specific brushes I recommend for intermediate painters.
There are many shapes and bristle types out there—I found a good online summary here. Contrary to what you might think, you really don't need very many brushes. Once you figure out what sizes you like, you will probably find yourself just using a few brushes over and over again. I'm a fan of synthetic bristles whenever possible, as they are usually cheaper and perform as well or nearly as well as their less animal-friendly counterparts.
Caring for your Supplies
Now that you've bought your paint and brushes, you'll want to make them last. Brushes in particular will last much longer if you care for them well. As a beginner, I had no idea how to look after my brushes and I wrecked a few of them out of inexperience. Here's what I recommend, based on my own trial and error:
Paint
Your paints don't need very much care. Just make sure you cap them tightly without cross-threading so they don't dry out. If you get serious about painting, I strongly recommend getting a tube wringer to avoid wasting paint, but it's not necessary at the beginning. If you're using professional quality paints, it will pay for itself pretty quickly. Also, it's great for toothpaste tubes!
Choosing Brushes
Brushes are tricky to shop for; most of the time, you get what you pay for, but some types are better than others. You'll get a better feel for what you like once you have some experience. From my own mistakes, I would say err on the side of getting fewer brushes, in the best quality you can afford. Plan on spending $5-10 for each brush. This is a particular area where you'll be tempted by the large, cheap, 12-piece bristle set for beginners, but don't buy it. These brushes are not usually very good, you won't use all those sizes and you'll be much happier spending the same amount on two or three carefully selected good brushes. Nothing can frustrate you faster than bad brushes.
In general, brushes for heavy texture paints like acrylic and oil are stiffer than watercolor brushes. You can choose from a range of natural and synthetic fibers. There is a good summary of brush materials here.
I personally recommend the synthetic, or "Taklon" type, for watercolor or acrylic. I would recommend getting:
1) A large flat (or angled) brush
2) A medium round brush
3) A small round brush for details
I have owned the brush in the centre since I was six years old, and have mostly kept it out of sentimental value. However, if you're using your brushes often, you'll need to replace them often. You can extend the life of your brushes by caring for them carefully.