Being able to do straight edges and blurred edges
is a basis for building up pictures.
I've been investigating how to do edges in acrylic paint.
Below, are some examples that I've done,
with an explanation of what they are and how to do them.
Acrylic paint, nothing added.
Just move the brush along the paper,
making a firm sharp edge.
Have some water handy,
and a palette tray with compartments,
like an ice-block tray if you don't have one.
Apply a brush stroke of acrylic paint only.
Then mix up the paint in a little water,
and apply a stroke along the edge
of the solid paint.
Then mix up more water in the paint
to make a lighter shade,
and apply a stroke along the new edge.
Continue in this way.
Have water handy,
and the palette with compartments.
Lay down a stroke of solid paint.
Mix up a light shade of paint and water.
Lay down a stroke of this along the edge
of the solid paint.
Zig zag along the joining edge,
to blur the two shades together.
Then run the paint brush over the join
in straight strokes.
Lay a stroke of solid paint (nothing added),
making a firm sharp edge.
Then clean the brush,
then using a different colour of solid paint,
lay down a stroke alongside the other one,
making a clear straight join.
Lay down a stroke of solid paint (nothing added),
blurring the edge a little.
Then clean the brush.
With another colour of solid paint,
Lay a stroke alongside and over the edge
of the first colour,
not worrying about keeping a sharp edge.
I've found that dark colour first, then light, or,
light colour first, then dark,
doesn't really make a difference.
But, I suppose anything can happen.
Lay down a stroke of solid paint (nothing added).
Clean the brush.
Then, using another colour of solid paint,
run a stroke alongside the first colour.
Quickly, before the paint dries,
zig zag along the joining edge.
Then, quickly run the brush along the join
in straight strokes.
Have water handy, and the compartment palette.
Mix up a small amount of colour with some water in one compartment.
Then, with a clean brush, mix up a small amount of another colour with some water in another compartment.
Lay down a stroke of one colour.
Quickly clean the brush.
Then, using the other colour, lay down a stroke alongside and over the first colour. Then clean the brush and repeat up the page.
Have water handy, and the compartment palette.
Mix up a small amount of colour with water in one compartment.
Clean the brush.
Mix up a small amount of another colour with water in another compartment.
With a clean brush, lay a stroke of one colour down.
Clean the brush quickly, as the paint dries quickly.
Lay down the other colour alongside the first one.
Quickly zig zag along the join to blend the two colours, then run the brush in straight strokes over it.
(c) Katherine Stuart 2013
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