Proper brush techniques can make illustrations look detailed and precise.
Illustrators have used paint in their artwork since the medium began. Due to their vibrant colors and longevity, oil paints work well for illustrations. In addition, they keep their color integrity through the process of reproduction. However, if you do not understand paint with oil, your illustrations can appear muddy and dull. By learning to use the right brush techniques, you can use oil paints to create illustrations that remain true to your original vision.
Glazing
Glazing involves adding a thinned-out, transparent coat of paint on top of another color to create a particular color or effect. Make sure the area you intend to glaze has completely dried. Choose a top layer or "glazing" color and mix it with turpentine until it has a transparent look similar to fruit juice. Brush the glaze over the dried paint. When the glaze dries, it will add luminosity to the area. When using this technique, it helps to have a basic understanding of color theory. For example, to create a luminous purple, add a thinned out coat of blue over an area of red.
Dry Brush
Dry brushing will add texture to the painting by revealing traces of the individual bristles.
Before applying paint to a piece of art, oil painters generally wet the bristles of their brush with turpentine. Wetting the bristles allows the artist to create more precise brush strokes. However, you can create interesting effects by leaving them dry and painting with the dry brush. Dry brushing creates a broken stroke that reveals the texture of the bristles within the paint; this works well for defining rough textures like rocks or tree bark.
Edge Blending
Edge blending involves blending two colors together to create a smooth transition. Paint two strips of color side by side without letting them overlap. Grab a dry brush and start in the middle of the two colors. Using vertical strokes, slowly work the left edge of one color into the right side of the other. Next, restart in the middle and work the right edge of the other color into the left side of the first color. Use vertical brush strokes and continue the process until the colors look evenly blended together.
Turpentine Blend
Paint two strips of color leaving a section of space between them. Dip a clean paintbrush in turpentine and brush it into the space between the colors. Next, start at the top of one color and line up your brush so half of its bristles run through the color and half runs through the turpentine. Use vertical strokes to blend the color into the turpentine. Use the same "half on, half off" technique with the other color. Continue doing this, back and forth, until the colors meet in a smooth and well-blended area.
