Add just enough water until you get the consistency of ink.
SHADING
Dip brush into water, and blot onto a paper towel. Now dip corner of brush into desired color and work into brush. Shade in the areas that would appear darker, or shadowed. Dip into water again, pat some off, and lightly brush down the shading, to tone it down a bit. Keep a paper towel handy to wipe excess paint as you are toning down.
POUNCING
Dip your brush into the paint, and tap some of it off onto a paper towel or your paint tray. Add the color to your design in a quick up and down tapping motion, or otherwise referred to as pouncing.
DRY BRUSH
Dip brush into paint and wipe the majority of it off onto your paper towel, and pounce, scrub, or lightly brush in color.
SCRUBBING
Scrubbing is a form of dry brushing. Dip your brush into paint and wipe the majority of it off onto a paper towel, and instead of pouncing or brushing, you will apply the paint in a scrubbing motion.
HIGHLIGHTING
Dip brush into water and blot onto a paper towel. Now dip corner of brush into desired color and work into brush. Add the highlighted areas that would appear lighter. Dip into water again, pat some off and lightly brush down the highlights. Keep a paper towel handy to wipe excess paint as you are toning down.
DOUBLE LOADING
Dip one corner of your brush into one color, and the other corner into your other chosen color. Wipe onto your paint tray in a back and forth motion, to work the paint into the brush. Repeat this step 2-3 times before applying paint to your project.
WET-ON-WET
Basecoat the area in your chosen color, and while the basecoat is still wet add the second color. If the basecoat dries, simply apply more of the basecoat color.
FLOATING
Wash your brush and dry it with an old cloth or paper towel. Load water onto brush by dipping it into some clean water about ½ way up the brush. Tap some of the water off onto the cloth or paper towel. Do not tap all of the water off. You must leave enough water on the brush for the paint to easily float. Dip the corner of your brush into the desired paint color, not more than ½ way across your brush. Stroke the brush onto your paint palette to blend the paint with the water. Using light pressure apply the paint to your project.
STENCILING
I use a stipple brush to do most of my stenciling although, there are many procedures that can be used, for stenciling. Use whatever works best for you. Lay your stencil on your painting surface and tape it down with a bit of masking tape. This will allow it to stay in place when you begin stenciling. Dip your brush into the paint, tap most of it off onto a paper towel, and begin pouncing, in an up and down motion, onto your stencil pattern. Start in the center and work your way to the edges. If you have too much paint on the brush it will cause seepage underneath your stencil. If this happens, simply wipe off with a wet cloth, allow to dry, and repeat steps above. You can also add shading or highlighting, using the same procedures listed above.
