Using acrylic paint, what brush is best to paint the bottom, foamy area of a waterfall?

Question

How much pressure is used to make the foam? How much foam is really needed? Should I add curves or smudges or lines??? I can't seem to get a handle on this at all. Thank you for any advice.

Answer 1

I use a "dry" filbert or flat brush with un-thinned (almost dry) paint and drag it over the area, leaving sparkles of foam without painting the whole area white. I never got the hang of a fan brush - it seems to leave lines that are too symmetrical and evenly spaced for my liking.

To make mist - I have a domed stipple brush that I use dry with just a dab of nearly dry paint on the tip, and lightly "scumble" it into the surface. Try not to use white straight from the tube for all the foamy water - it tends to look unnatural and flat. Use just for highlights.

My 360 has a couple of paintings of rapids. Water is one of the most difficult things to paint (it is clear, but it has volume!) so keep practicing and you'll get it.

Answer 2

I'm not an expert, but there is no one technique. You might consider using a fan brush and push your water up. This will give you some of those curved lines you want. I'd also consider using a wide brush (perhaps 2") and lightly dry brush over the fan brush strokes to give it that misty appearance. Depending on the effect you want, you might want to go with the stroke or against it. Experiment a little.

I always find it best to look at other people's photographs and paintings and see how that might work in what I'm doing. Search Yahoo's Images for waterfalls to see what I mean.

Answer 3

It all depends on the style of painting you chose. If the painting is realistic (fineart), then I would definately recommend an airbrush. You can blend the water mist very easily this way and even add a see-through rainbow somewhere in it. If the style you chose is more free-form, then I would suggest a fan brush. You should get some pictures of waterfalls and study them for reference before you start. I would go for less lines and curves in the foam. I would thicken up the paint for the bottom layers making waves and curves in the foam and mist over the top layers with an airbrush.

Answer 4

You might want to paint a small practice board, experimenting with different brushes before you try it on your actual project. One thing that might work in this situation is a "scruffy" brush-basically a worn out brush that can be used to pounce color on. It's great for creating piles of snow or sand or other textured items. Be generous with your paint, and just pounce up and down with the brush, using varying degrees of pressure to create a foamy look.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

fan brush