Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Cloudy Day plus Fan Brush Demo


Cloudy Day
8x6in  oil on canvas panel SOLD

Artist Note
The following is for those who enjoy a looser and more
impressionistic way of painting.
I have found that the fan brush is often overlooked
for the many helpful ways it can be used in painting.
First, here is a sample of my brushes.
A mixture of bristle, mongoose and synthetic.
All have a purpose.


The foreground of this painting was painted totally with the one brush
shown below

 It is bristle and has been allowed to separate by not totally cleaning
the base area and letting it dry in shape shown.
The top part is still beautifully springy - not stiff.

close-up of foreground
I start with my transparent darks first...using the brush like a chisel
See short video below after reading.
Then I add the opaque colors using the same technique.
If you try it, then remember to leave some
of the darker areas showing. After the demo, I noticed many
of the artists were not using their arm or holding their brush
at end of the handle - they were controlling too
much by holding their bush in the middle, and being very careful.
Unfortunately, this results in a very uniform stroke.
So listen to the sound of the brush against the canvas
in the video and you can tell I whack at it.
I have found it gives a more natural appearance to build on.
Practice on a piece of canvas and remember you can
wash it off and keep starting again.  You will end up with a
canvas you can still use with a wonderful neutral base.
Take notes of the different effects you like so you can
repeat them

link to video here using the Fan Brush #1 maybe not working - see new link

or try this link

Happy Mother's Day... and to those without children,
I bet you have a pet(s) you are a wonderful mother to.




23 comments:

  1. So interesting! I have never used a fan brush but you make me want to try! Also I thought I might be the only person to ever use a brush like a chisel - glad to know I am not alone although the brushes I use that way are usually flats or filberts. Thanks for a very informative post, Julie.

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    1. I first saw this technique used by Clyde Aspevig many years ago. What he achieved with it was magic.
      Thanks for the neat comment

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  2. Nice painting, Julie, and loved the info on the fan brush. I could not access your video. :-( YouTube said there wasn't a video.

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    1. Thanks for letting me know. I have placed a new link, but will publish it again tomorrow

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  3. Very nice! It's true...I never think about using a fan brush. Thanks for the great video. I will try it!

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    1. The fan bush has so many uses I could not be without one.
      I liked your little helper

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  4. Good morning Julie,
    Cloudy Day but very beautiful painting and very interesting art work with the use of your Fan Brushes !!!

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    1. Thank you as always. I enjoy your blog very much. I love visiting far away places. Thank heavens for the translator feature!

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  5. The texture are the best!
    I love the look and the brushwork = )

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    1. Thanks Sue. Your collages are amazing. I went to the other site and saw several. Jaw dropped. A lovely gift to my senses!

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  6. Love the texture in this Julie! I have a fan brush and I've never used it. Thanks for this post...makes me want to try it now, it might help me loosen up:)

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    1. Karen your paintings are wonderful. You don't have or need to be looser. They never look cookie-cutter because your edge work and values are so good.

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  7. This is so beautiful and I am awed by all these stunning colors in this piece. I also find myself wishing I was on that sailboat!! Unfortunately, I'm being told "no video to be found," when I try to get to the video. I'll try again tomorrow. Maybe it is just me?

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    Replies
    1. Yes - the sailboat would be nice. My sister in England is an avid sailor and owns a perfect yacht with her sailing mad hubby. This was inspired from photos taken when on a boating trip with them. Very civilized...we would moor every afternoon and walk to a nice pub for a relaxing evening before walking back to sleep deeply with a gentle rocking motion.

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  8. I need a fan brush, I'm always meaning to buy one. Do these rules apply to watercolor too? I know they are wonderful for creating foliage in trees, so I've heard.
    Your painting is beautiful Julie, I love the texture! Happy Mother's day to you too!

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    1. Working in one with watercolor is fabulous. I will do a little bit of how-to so you get the idea.
      Thanks for the visit and your rose is pretty spectacular.

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  9. Julie, I absolutely love the color and technique (texture) of this piece. Unfortunately, I too, could not access your video.

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    1. Sorry about that. I am reposting the link in next blog.
      I think your ducks are quite special. Such a fabulous design too.

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  10. Precious advice Julie , thank you, I have a brush like this , but never used it ! Your landscape is fascinating with all these changing colors , so rich and lush !

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    1. Hope you try it at least once.
      Thanks for the flowers on Mothers day - courtesy of your blog.

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  11. HI Julie, Thanks for a wonderful tip once again! Love the fanbrush video. I forget to use my fan brushes. Thanks I will pick them up again! I love your sea paintings especially the one with the sailboat. Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

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  12. Wonderful colors and texture, Julie! and I love the painting...so peaceful ! I'm glad everyone is having problems with the video ..because I thought it was only me!! I will try again since I would really like to see it... I hope you enjoyed your day, my friend!!

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  13. Julie, this post is filled with helpful and motivating information once again. I was able to access the video by going to YouTube, and I was very impressed with what that little fan brush can do. To be honest, I have a couple and have used them a few times to blend oils, but obviously they can do more wonderful things as you demonstrated. That would be a big help in laying in a textured, colorful underpainting. I'm sure stock in fan brushes is soaring as we speak. Thank you!

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I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie