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How to Hold a Paint Brush

Buying new art supplies is not the only way to get a fresh approach to painting.
​Artists may also want to try simply holding a paintbrush in different positions.

A watercolor painting of an Aechmea fasciata flowering plant

Three Ways to Hold an Oil Painting Brush

An oil painting artists palette with tubes of paint and three different paint brushes
​The painter’s sensitive hand streaks across the painting and oil paint flows from the paintbrush. The bristles swipe the canvas in strokes, dots, fills, and blends. The paintbrush can make a variety of marks, but, even so, painting is not like writing. A paintbrush can move in any direction over the canvas. Thus an artist that holds a brush as if holding a pencil or pen limits the range of those marks or strokes.
​Most artists want to push their technique and explore different ways of working. Like a signature or thumbprint, each artist’s style is unique. There are at least three basic ways to hold a paintbrush. Of course, every artist will develop his or her own way or style of working. These are the suggested three ways:
  • On point
  • On the side
  • Conductor.
Artist holding a brush on point.
On Point
Artist holding a brush On Side
On Side
Artist holding a brush in the conductor position
Conductor

Holding the Brush On Point
This position uses the tip of the brush. The hand holds the brush in the same way as holding a pencil for writing. In painting, however, the artist may hold the brush several inches away from the tip. Holding the brush about midway up the handle allows for a more sensitive stroke. That means more variety in the kind of marks made on the canvas.
For fine details, the artist may hold the brush on the metal ferrule, close to the bristles. This gives great control and enables precise details. Placing the pinky on the surface while painting adds stability. Some artists use a maulstick that allows the hand to rest just above the surface of the painting.
 
Holding the Brush On the Side
For broad strokes or spreading paint quickly and evenly over the surface, the side of the brush is used rather than the point. The bristles ride over the surface filling in areas with color. An overhand grip with the thumb along the side allows the artist to fully press the bristles of the brush to the canvas.
 
The artist holds this position further out from the ferrule, about midway up the brush. Often the forefinger is extended along the top for precise control. The wrist is usually held firm. The arm does most of the motion.
 
Holding the Brush Like a Conductor
This hold also uses the side of the brush, but the grip is like holding a conductors baton. It’s a firm grip where the thumb rides on the top of the brush handle. With the palm open, the brush handle across the hand, the fingers close around the handle with the thumb on top.
 
This position can be along the middle of the brush, or, better yet, closer to the end of the handle. Flexing the wrist in smooth rounded motions creates a variety of marks. Dabs and dots excel in this method. Also, holding the brush closer to the end encourages using the whole arm.

Simpletens pine tree logo
Author: Karla Beatty About
​Why Use Different Positions? Most artists want to become fluent at letting a paintbrush flow over the surface of a painting. Paintbrushes held in different positions can create details, broad strokes, or smooth fills. Knowing several ways to hold a brush for painting in oils can add variety to an artist’s repertoire. In fact, experimenting with different working methods can help bring freshness to an artist’s work. One easy way to make a change in method is to try holding that paintbrush in a new way.
Read more SimpleTens articles about painting techniques and materials.

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  • Home
    • Index of Articles
    • About
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
  • Meditation
    • Sitting Meditation
    • Walking Meditation Basic Techniques
    • Walking Meditation Benefits
    • Meditation Breathing
    • Meditation Posture
    • Breathing: On Counting Breaths
    • Practicing: On Meditation Practice
    • Bellows Breathing
    • Mindfulness of Breathing
    • Buddhism 101: The Grand Illusion
  • LifeStyle
    • Mind and Spirit >
      • How To Be Happy
      • Pope's Tips for a Happier Life
      • Happiness If-Onlys
      • What is Love
      • Psychic Protection in Crowds
    • Work Abundance >
      • Jobs Using the Internet
      • Be a Team Player
      • Time for a New Career?
      • Be More Productive
    • People Connection >
      • 10 Nice Things You Can Do for Your Neighbors
      • Live a Long Life
      • Mini-Tens >
        • Funny Tens >
          • Cheesy Pick Up Lines
          • Pick Up Lines for Scientists
    • Food for Life >
      • Lacy Baked Cheese Crisps
      • Healthy Snack Kale Chips
      • An Apple a Day
      • Become a Vegan
      • Tips for a Vegan Diet
      • Juice Cleanse
      • Juice Cleanse Recipes
    • Expanding World >
      • Travel First-Aid Kit
      • 10 Ways to Relieve Stress
  • Creative Arts
    • You Can Do It >
      • Oil Painting Brushes
      • How To Hold a Paint Brush
      • Painting with a Painter's Knife
      • How To Hold a Painting Knife
      • Use a Painting Knife: Textures and Marks
      • Sketchbooks for Artists
      • Be Creative With Your Photographs
      • Warm Up the Voice for Singing
      • How To Write A Haiku Poem
      • Listen to Music
    • Creativity Matters >
      • Traits of Creative People
      • Jobs for Creatives
      • Joyful Music
      • Funniest Songs
    • Arts Appreciated >
      • Vincent Van Gogh Insights into Creativity
      • Brilliant Quotes for Artists
      • History of Botanical Illustration
      • Haiku Poetry of Basho
  • Nature
    • Environment >
      • Sow Bugs in Vegetable Gardens
      • Sow Bugs and Diatomaceous Earth
      • Organic Pest Control
      • Organic Lawn Care
      • Feeding and Weeding Organic Lawn Care
      • Compost Tea
      • Making Compost Tea
      • 10 Steps to Organic Lawn Care
      • Ground Covering Plants
      • Electric Vehicles Benefits
      • Recycling Paper Benefits
      • Save Energy and Natural Resources
      • Wind Mill Turbines
    • Natural World >
      • Survive an Earthquake
      • Survive a Landslide
      • Tsunamis Start With Little Warning
      • Coyotes and People Encounters
      • Domesticated Insects
    • Your World Outdoors >
      • Spiritual Experiences in Nature
      • Natural Tick Prevention
      • Tailgate Parties Go Green
  • Well-Being
    • Self-Care Vitality >
      • High Heels Are Hurting Me
      • Muscle Relaxation Head and Back
      • Progressive Muscle Relaxation
      • How to Breathe
      • Breathe Deeply Health Benefits
      • Natural Skin Care Tips
      • Dry Brush Skin Exfoliation
    • Alternative Medicine >
      • Natural First Aid Kit
      • CoQ10 for Vibrant Health
      • Rhodiola, a Natural Herbal Alternative
      • 10 Natural Home Remedies for Bee Stings
      • Safe Tick Repellent
      • Natural Deodorants Lose Underarm Odor
    • Fitness Your Way >
      • Motivational Quotes for Fitness and Exercise
      • Cardio Exercise for the Lazy
      • Motivational Quotes to Lose Weight
      • 10 Ways to Boost Metabolism
      • Fatigue Fighters Boost Energy
    • Food As Medicine >
      • Foods That Fight Cancer
      • Honey as Medicine
    • Tens Devices >
      • TENS Units
      • Comparison of TENS and EMS
  • Contact