How do I paint feathers?

I have a dagger brush and have seen one demo making a feather, but just can't figure out the stroke from the pictures. Any advice for doing feathers with or without a dagger brush?

Thanks!

I used a #4 round for all of this.. I just can't seem to get good results with a dagger... I keep working on it, but end up grabbing the rounds as I can work them.

Looks fantatic to me!

Great feather! Did you use a flat brush for the bottom white layer?

It was all a #4 round...

What a beautiful feather Shannon.

Since I am a brush tart - I would use a flat and then a wisp brush. Shannon you are amazing! I would never think such a refined feather could be done with one brush!

Wonder if there is a one stroke type how-to on the feather??

Here is a utube video by Brush Strokes Magazine that demonstrates painting a feather with a angle brush. Does anyone use an angle brush. Brush Strokes also uses an angle brush for their butterfly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ2_Odvkzzc&feature=channel

I have angle brushes... they are useful if I am having a crap day and my rounds aren't working! They work well for webs and fine lines... they don't splay out like other shapes do.

I use angles a lot in make-up application - eyeliner is something I always to with an angle.

I use a round for the main rib, and/ or a rake for the barbs....the blue angel in my album was that way...
Catx

Bummer! That video won't seem to play!

I have several angle brushes in my kit but I never use them! I'm so used to using the 'chisel' brush and rounds.... After seeing that brush stroke practice vid, I'm going to start using an angle for my tiger's stripes. They really seem to have that nice ragged edge I'm looking for but never really got with a round.

I agree with the tiger stripes.

I've used a flat brush for feathers, relatively dry, similar to the video. I'm trying to work out a peacock feather.

Problem with feather is the same problem with hair. It looks like one solid, but it's not. Each hair is it's own color and has it's own shading, just like the little things on the feather.

I learned how to do cool peacock feathers doing one-stroke from Rebecca Tonkowich at Living Canvas... using a 3/4" flat (it WAS a Donna Dewberry brush) The photo is posted on my blog... really simple! I, of course, embellished them my way...

Shannon, Those are awesome! Thanks!