Today’s watercolor tip is about making the most use out of all of your watercolor supplies, beginning with your brushes.
Brushes are the primary tools of watercolor artists. You probably have your individual favorites, including the specific brushes you reach for certain tasks. I have a squirrel hair brush that I use on most every painting in order to dampen the paper surface. I use my Terry Harrison watercolor brushes infrequently, however, I adore the effects I can get from their fan brushes.
I have a couple of Raphael brushes laying around, which barely cling onto the few remaining hairs. Yet, I’ll never part with these brushes until they become unusable. Why? Because of the wonderful textures that I can create using them, they are invaluable to me.
For me, painting is all about texture. My favorite paintings create texture whether it is an earthen pot or weathered wood. I believe texture creates a good painting.
Over time, my paint brushes become old familiar friends. They mold to the shape of my hand. I rely on my old brushes to create specific elements of texture. My tip to you then is to save your watercolor brushes even if use has created wear. It’s not that your brushes are unusable, but rather they have evolved for different uses.
