How to Paint in Oil With a Fan Brush
- 1). Use your fan brush to create grass and reeds. Dip your brush into thinned oil paint and slightly rock your brush back and forth. Place the tip of your brush where you want the foliage to be. Hold your brush at a 90 degree angle to the canvas, gently push until you see the bristles bend, and brush upwards. Lift your brush after the end of the stroke. Repeat the technique until you have created the amount of grass that you desire.
- 2). Add a tree to your painting with a fan brush. Hold your brush at an angle so its edge is facing the canvas. Begin working at the top part of the tree. Make vertical strokes with your brush to create the branches and twigs of the tree. Work your way down and turn your brush slightly horizontal to make the tree trunk. Reload your brush with a medium shade of green. Turn your brush in a horizontal position and tap it against the branches to create clusters of leaves. Push on the brush more as you work your way down so the bristles bend and you get different effects. Once you reach the bottom of the tree, reload your brush with a light paint color such as yellow or a lighter shade of green. Lightly dip your brush into the paint because overloading it will cause blotches. Hold your brush in a horizontal position and tap the brush against the top of the branches to highlight the tips. Add another layer of highlights to your branches with white paint if you desire. White can also be used to add highlights to the tree trunk.
- 3). Blend colors with your fan brush when you want a gradual change in colors. For example, when you've painted a sunset or you wish to create shading in an object such as a flower petal. Sweep a dry fan brush back and forth over the still-wet paint until visible brushstrokes blend together.
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