How to Become a Better Artist | Master Your BrushStrokes

Something I have learned over the years is how to copy someone's brushstrokes. This may be surprising to some artists that I say this, but that is how I began as an artist. I would find a painting I loved and I would study how it was made. Then I would try to make it myself. During this time, of course, I wasn't making or selling original art, but I certainly was acquiring brushwork skills.  

Because of how I began as an artist, I can see the unique brush stokes that every artist has. You also have a style to your brushstrokes.  Here are some things you can think about that make your strokes unique to you.
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1. How you hold the bush.
2. Whether you like a lot of paint or not on your brush.
3. Whether you use a brush at all or go towards a palette knife or other tools.
4. What brushes you grab for different situations.
5. Whether you work loosely or very precise or somewhere in between.
6. Whether you work clean or messy with your brush.
7. The way you move your hand as you stroke.

​All of these and more account for the uniqueness in your brushwork. You want to be unique with your work, so great! Sometimes, however, we are still in the acquiring skill phase and need to work on mastering our brushstrokes. If this is you, find the artwork you gravitate towards and study the brush strokes. Then take what you have learned and practice combining your way, with the "style" you admire. This will set you on your road to increasing your skills, while still keeping your own unique creativity.

I hope this lesson helps.
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Take Care,
Ashley Krieger

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