Linework: your favourite brushes and paint for the job...

I've been avidly reading through this wonderful forum for the past couple of weeks. Very inspiring and so helpful.

So I too have just 'discovered' this terribly addictive but highly enjoyable pastime (facepainting, not forums ), and I also have a new paint palette from TAG - which I'm loving. My immediate problem seems to be that I still only have a handful of brushes and can't quite get them to work with me to create nice, pointed or tapering lines. It's not just my control - which I think is ok, not great, but ok... although I do need practice, but I also think it's the consistency of the paint and perhaps the type of brush I'm using. I have been researching techniques and doing my best, but it just isn't working as well as it should.

So here comes my questions... What is your favourite brand, type and size of brush for general line work? And which brand/type of paint do you prefer for black/white lines?

Of course, I'll keep on practicing with what I have, but I would really be interested in your opinions.

I also do almost everything with a #4 round brush - generally the Mark Reid one that I bought from the FPForum Shop. I have a #0 Princeton that I use only for superfine details (like drawing the eye on my unicorn, the palm trees in my sunset, etc). I could probably use the #4 for that by using only the very tip, but my #0 is dedicated to black paint so it's super easy to grab and use for things like that.

I use Diamond FX for linework, especially white. I only use the DFX black if it is over top of another colour, because I find it stains a lot. If I am doing linework directly on the skin, I use Snazaroo.

I currently am loving my DFX white, black, and colored metallics (specifically gold, bronze, and light blue) for linework. Other faves for linework include Wolfe White. I've never tried TAG non-splits or Wolfe Black.

Isabelle - I find that on my arm, DFX will stain until I use moisturizer. On my face though DFX comes off in a heartbeat. It doesn't matter if I have a color under or not.

Thanks. I have heard Loew Cornell brushes are the best around (at least in Australia), so I am planning to invest in a couple. I'm thinking I'll try #4 round, and a #6 round as well (for flowers). Appreciate your input.

I was always a big fan of the sable round #4's, but since I started carrying the Mark Reid brushes, his number #4's are super for almost everything. Tiger Stripes, Dots(with enough paint loaded) and lines. I almost use these exclusively now.

-Metina

Another LC #4 round lover here. I also have a black plastic handled Royal Majestic #5 round that I love and plan to get in #3 and #4. I like #3 for teeny tiny faces as I find it easier to do those itty bitty lines and teardrops somehow.

One of the things I am practicing to gain better control for linework, teardrops, swirls, etc. is to hold the brush almost straight up and apply or reduce pressure as needed (rather than using the side of the bristles as I had started out doing). Heather at SillyFarm gave me a wonderful private lesson on linework and that was the first immediate thing she saw (we are both lefties in case that matters to you). My fave practice lesson is making teardrops then seeing how thinly I can outline them, really great for learning control and pressure.

I started using Paradise and Kyrolan but once I got DFX black and white my lines greatly improved! I use it on all my clients and my own kids and we haven't had any staining issues but I also understand and respect that each artist has their own experiences and preferences.

#4 and #6 kolinsky sable rounds are my go to brushes for most everything. #2 for fine detail.

Small round detail brush(the ones that come w/ the wolfe pallet are wonderful), #2-#6 round.
For paint it's either DFX or Wolfe.

I agree with Linda. . . the wolfe detail brush is awesome for tiny things! I usually use a round #4 for outlining or lately I've been grabbing a #7 for my Tiger stripes. I really want to try to Mark Reid brushes, but haven't bought any yet.

I like the wolfe paint best of all, especially for line work. . . I for bases I use wolfe, paradise, or snazaroo. . .Usually keep the snaz for little kids or people that are really pale.

Even using mostly Wolfe, I haven't had anyone complain about staining, but I tell the parents to make sure it gets washed off before bed time.

People kept saying the Mark Reid and the Majestics were similar so I gave the Majestics a shot and they are my go to brushes now. I love them and they look professional with the all black look. I don;t really have a specific size that is my go to as that changes almost on a daily basis depending on what type of painting I'm looking to improve on.

As far as paints, TAG is great.

trinkie wrote:Thanks. I have heard Loew Cornell brushes are the best around (at least in Australia), so I am planning to invest in a couple. I'm thinking I'll try #4 round, and a #6 round as well (for flowers). Appreciate your input.

I love my Loew Cornell! I use th #2 and #4 mostly and #6 for flowers.

I haven't found a really fine brush I love as yet . . . still searching.

Where abouts in Oz are you?

. . and WFX for white for sure!!! I like Paradise black for lines (I have heard that WFX black is hard to remove but I bought some and had no probs)

. . .I'm in Melbourne btw.