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brush for fine lines?

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Stuart Wright

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Posted
Hi, can any other artists recommend a brush for fine line work, ie tree branches in acrylic? usually I use da vinci brushes but i`m not getting the results i want with them. regards, Stuart  ps i did search this topic on here, but most the results were deleted pages....

Sylvia Evans

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Posted
Go look at Rosemarys brushes web by, lots of info.

Alan Bickley

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Posted
I use rigger brushes for tree branches in particular. I’ve got ProArte, Sceptre and Dalon in my collection, all are synthetic and excellent quality!
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Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Posted
I use riggers  for most line work tree branches, ships rigging and rope etc. Recently noticed I use it a lot more than I thought also use the long side not just the tips , I use watercolour but suspect it will work in acrylic I do lime the ProArt brushes . 
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Gary Martin

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Posted
I'll add my vote for riggers too - great for long delicate lines. I'm also a fan of Rosemarys brushes too.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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Another one for riggers, for things like branches and twigs - and you don't necessarily want the very finest (smallest) either.  The trouble with those is that they don't always carry much paint; there are brushes (see Rosemary & Co) that offer a fat belly, with a finer point protruding from it; but I haven't tried them.  There are also dagger or swordliner brushes - I bought one as an experiment a while ago; it does have a range of uses, but - I don't think it offers much that a rigger can't do just as well: maybe holds a bit more paint. If you're painting in watercolour or inks, maybe in liquid acrylics too, you might like to take a look at Chinese and Japanese brushes, which come to a needle point; again, they're no better than a fine sable rigger (for this purpose at least) but are a lot cheaper; and many of us are trying to get away from using sable - synthetic is nearly as good.   My own range of brushes for this purpose includes: a trusty, very old, Dalon rigger; a Rosemary & Co Evergreen rigger, excellent for very delicate touches in oil; one of Rosemary & Co's Golden synthetics (though it will only handle very fluid oil paint, it's fine with normally diluted acrylic and watercolour; and (again a Rosemary & Co) Ivory rigger - which has that extra bit of firmness, without being too flexible.  There's also the Rosemary & Co Shiraz range - particularly good with acrylic. All reasonably priced, and available with long or short handles, whichever you're more comfortable with.  A pointed hog bristle can be surprisingly good with twigs and branches (and will handle acrylic quite happily): as can the chisel edge of a long flat.

Denise Cat

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I use riggers in acrylic, oil and watercolour. I also use Chinese and Japanese brushes. You can do a whole painting with one single brush and write with the same brush. Suitable as already mentioned. I've used twigs, cut down bank cards and even a cheap skewer that I shaved into a fine point. Sometimes, I scratch the lines. If you are not getting the fine lines you are looking for with a brush, take a look around your desk or in the garden. Try things out. The tip of a palette knife is also good for marking out fine lines.

Carol Jones

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Posted
If you have any old brushes, you could cut one to the size you require. I've seen a few professional/non professional artist do this with brushes that are past their best, could be a handy recycle for your needs.

Norrette Moore

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Posted
Interesting views on riggers.  I never got on with them especially for watercolour, and then I discovered the half rigger. Much easier to control if your hands aren't great.