Mop, Hake and Japanese Goat Hair script brushes are introduced to create shapes. We will use masking fluid (also known as liquid frisket) and apply it with silicone tip applicators to preserve the white of the paper where we see highlights on the nesting material and eggs. Discover how a wide Hake or Mop brush can create beautiful, atmospheric backgrounds and washes in seconds, providing better blending results on larger paintings.
Goal: Planning your approach!
Tracing Transfer 15 minutes
Paint 1 hour, 45 minutes
NOTE: Finish at home or create as many as you like until your are satisfied with your results.
How to deal with large backgrounds. Layering thin, transparent washes to build up hue and values. One brush stroke is best.
Find shapes to keep, use your fingernail to pull out lighter strokes on the nest.
Subtle color transitions to move beyond "brown and white" to find the cools and warms in eggshells.
Mop Brush 14 -Master's Touch Hobby Lobby SKU: 2307643 $9.99 if not on 40% off sale
Hake brush 1.5" -Master's Touch Hobby Lobby SKU: 270280
$5.49 if not on 40% off sale
Silicone Paint Brushes - CURATEColour Hobby Lobby SKU: 1587336 $5.49
Masking Fluid -Winsor & Newton Hobby Lobby SKU: 213413 $12.99
Lemon Yellow (PY175) or Hansa Yellow Light (PY3)
Alizarin Crimson Hue (PR179) or Naphthol Red (PR112)
Raw Umber (PBr7)
Cerulean Blue (PB35 or PB36)
Payne's Grey (B214), Violet 231
Dr. Ph. Martin's Bleed Proof White
Top: Mop Hue and Pigment Consistancy
Below: Areas to Mask
Using your own supplies? Feel free to pre-draw this reference photo at home ahead of the class.
Round or Oval Mop Bush exceptionally soft brush designed to put down a significant amount of water and pigment. It can do the opposite and "mop up" to make highlights. In watercolor, it is the primary tool used for covering large areas quickly without leaving the "streaky" marks that a smaller or stiffer brush might.
Hake Brush Unlike the rounded Mop brush, the Hake is flat and broad, making it perfect for sweeping, horizontal movements across a large surface.
Japanese Script Brush when brush is splayed it can make interesting marks. Great for painting hair, grass, leaves and in this case, bird nesting material.
Munsell Value Scale indicates the lightness of a color. The scale of value ranges from 1 for pure black to 9 for pure white. Black, white and the grays between them are called “neutral colors”.
Pigment Color Index refers to all pigments having individual characteristics including transparency/opacity, tinting strength, granulation drying rate, lightfastness, and permanence. All of which have a huge impact on your painting.
Remove Masking Fluid is removed only after the painting has completely dried. My advice to use a rubber cement pick up eraser.
Content Last Updated: Thursday, April. 23 @3:00pm