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Posted
Sound advice there Gerry thank you , it’s funny how we get to think anything other than a brush is nit right and cheating in some way . Alan pointed out that the great Rowland Hilder used a rule so who am I to think it’s wrong to do so , I certain will explore the different ways of doing straight line in future and with pencils too .
Posted
It's much easier in opaque paint - you can just paint right up to the edge of your otherwise blotchy lines and conceal the errors; which is of no consolation to you at all, since you're a watercolourist. I haven't often tried painting thin lines in w/c, but when I did, I used a ruler, and very faint pencil lines, then inked those lines in, or painted over them. Now we have carbon black ink, and acrylic inks, which are less dense than Indian ink, this is a bit easier than it used to be. Those thin lines I found really difficult were the curved ones - no ruler is going to help you with them, though maybe the curved edge of a protractor or other instrument used in geometry could help.
I have seen someone - forget who - use a piece of stiff card: like the credit card idea suggested by Gerry Mellor, but you can achieve a curve with it; I say you CAN - I don't think it's the easiest of exercises, especially if you have tremor. I've also seen painters who could just achieve convincing rigging with a swish of a loaded brush - and I am not one of them: Steve Hall (I hope I've got the name right, I usually don't), who demonstrates the Ted Wesson technique, has achieved that, using a rigger. Endless practise probably helps - a bit.
Posted
Yes indeed Robert, it is Steve Hall who has adopted (very successfully) the style of Edward Wesson. Both used a rigger brush with equal panache and competence with watercolour.
I’ve never got on particular well using card or credit cards to produce lines, perhaps smaller lines such as distant yacht masts, but I prefer to use a rigger with one positive downward stroke.
Same goes for rigging, load a good quality synthetic rigger brush, hold your breath and go for it in one stroke.
But results can often be hit and miss, but that’s not an issue with my style of painting…I’m never looking for anything other than an impression.
For Paul in particular, with his hand issues, I suggested using a rule and pencil which will be adequate for rigging. A protractor will help, better still would be a set of ‘French Curves’…
They are useful and will give Paul (or any of us) some useful curved lines as a template for drawing in ships rigging.
I did used to have many years ago, a strip of bendy material around a foot long, blue in colour, and you could bend it to produce curved lines… no idea if they are still available.
Update:
I’ve found these, French curved and Flexible strip…
An example of my freehand rigging using a No 0 Dalon rigger brush and ink…hit and miss but adequate for my style of drawing!
An example of my freehand rigging using a No 0 Dalon rigger brush and ink…hit and miss but adequate for my style of drawing!
Edited
by Alan Bickley
Posted
My tenpennyworth Paul, is a fine brush with a steel ruler tilted up about 45%. Then with your loaded brush, run the ferrule of brush along the steel rule. You can move your brush in an in and out movement to produce bent lines. The lines do not have to complete as it's only an impression also they do not have to be black, warm grey is fine. This takes practice but persist as it does produce results. As an apprentice, this was the first technique we had learn.
Posted
Thank you Stephen that sound a good system , I will give it a go and see if it help but unfortunately it’s the actual holding of the brushes that is causing the problem. If I can’t hold it I can do the straight lines with a rigger , I have and do use brushes with a extra thickness on the shaft , it was very helpful but unfortunately I’ve nit reached the stage where it’s working . My fingers curl and lock closed and the one or more randomly springs open , then I loose the grip or I can’t get then around the shafts if it’s a tiny brush , I will overcome the problem but it takes time to find the right solution .
With my left when I had the same issues I strapped my finger down but I don’t use it for work anyway , my motto is don’t every give up or give in . I do appreciate any advice and ideas .