I would like to start practicing some simple painting techniques and get familiar with using brushes and such, and I have a few questions.

I would like to use latex paint being it is easier to get my hands on.

1. What brushes should I use for latex paint? For now, I'm just looking to paint after pouncing a pattern. Kind of the fill-in-the-lines sort of thing. I won't even attempt trying to letter anything by hand.

2. For practicing on little things, what is the difference between latex paint (say, Benjamin Moore) and using the little bottles of acrylic paint at Walmart? My wife has tons of the little acrylic paints that she paints those ceramic houses with. How is this different from latex paint?

I'm sure these things have been covered before so forgive me if they seem out dated.

You pose an interesting question, and there are most likely as many answers as there are regulars on the BB

The only difference that I can guess about on latex (Ben Moore) versus Walmart would be the cost per ounce, the little bottles being way more expensive.

Brushes for water based paint usually fall in the class called sables, or show card. Never used them, but I would guess they don't handle the same as quills or flats made for oil-based. For that matter, I don't think latex handles anything like oil-based either. Latex is also going to behave badly on an oil base painted substrate.

You mentioned working on small stuff. How small? The tighter you try to work, or letter, the harder it becomes to do a well-shaped letter. Every flaw shows big-time.

I would suggest that you try to get ahold of some one-shot, and some quills or flats- either "browns" or "grays"- of various sizes, and practice with them, rather than investing in sables and latex. All brushes are pricey to one extent or another. Use black for practice. That way, you can concentrate on your letter forms, and not worry about coverage. Your investment will be smaller in the long run.

There aren't too many books on lettering and how to do it anymore. One of the best IMHO deals with pen lettering, and is called Speedball. The author shows the use of a wide-ended pen and how to stroke letters with thick and thin elements. A wide ended pen isn't that much different from a brush, and the same principles apply.

Last, practice on a sans-serif style letter in the beginning. They also show flaws in a big way, and that's the whole point. Get them down, and then go on to the serif and fancier styles.

Just my .02, hope it helps.

[ January 22, 2002: Message edited by: Bill Preston ]

I personally use it 50 to one over Oneshot. Acrylic is so much easier (less stinky) to work with.

For cars and metal surfaces oil base the only way... Oneshot or vinyl and not acrylic.

All paint is not created equal. Benjamin/Moore used to be my paint of choice but they changed their formula a few years ago and it doesn't cover like it used to.

I now use General Paint but that is only available in Western Canada I believe.

So ask around... and I'm sure others here know beter than I.

But then again... if I were doing mostly flat work on MDO or prepared surfaces I would probably be swearing by OneShot. It is great paint and easy to work with as far as control and flow... in fact there is nothing better in that regard.

The best way for you to figure out what you want or need it to experiment. The practice will make you better too!

When I said I was going to practice on "small" stuff, I was just referring to practicing on paper (poster size paper). And being my wife has all sorts of the acrylic stuff, I figured, why not use her paint for practice!

I have to wander about your knowledge thus far, of brushes...not knowing, the simplest answer I can give is...the thicker the paint, the stiffer the bristles.

Bill's right, the best flow comes from 1-Shot, when you try it you'll understand how important flow is...hehehe. I can't imagine flow with the little bottles from Wally World. I have a crate of those and different brushes for them...to me it's like painting with melted plastic. Synthetic hair brushes may work with those, bristles can take more abuse.

See if you have a Michael's in your area, they have aisles and aisles of brushes. Better yet, go to Mac Brush link on this site and drool there.

Go play with your wife's paint a bit and see which does best with what...before you buy anything.

The goal would be to find the brush that can make the longest and cleanest (consistent clean edge) stroke. If you can do a letter in 2-3 strokes as opposed to dabbing at it for an hour your getting better...hehehe!

[ January 23, 2002: Message edited by: Michael Boone ]

hope this helps

hope this helps

[ January 24, 2002: Message edited by: PKing ]

PKing, you always make it sound so simple. Thanks.

Have you been to the Mack Brush Website yet? You'll discover all sorts of info on different types of brushes and their use, along with info on brush care and a list of Distributors. It's all at http://www.mackbrush.com/

My advise is to invest in some 1-Shot lettering enamel, a #10 lettering quill and 1/2" flat. Practice on all sorts of substrates. Glass is excellant due to it's smoothness. Even if the paint dries, you can clean it off with a razor blade.

The key to success is practice. I learned to handletter years ago, but never took the time to learn to pinstripe. Just like you, I am out in the shop everyday experimenting with striping brushes and practicing. You can do this.

I found a local place that carries One Shot Lettering Enamel. They have the small cans so I can buy whatever I want without breaking the bank.

And thanks for the link, Steve, Mack had a lot of info there. From what I gather (correct me if I am wrong),
Quills for lettering,
Flats for "larger areas" (like filling in a logo or large letters), and
Fitches for "rough" surfaces?

Glass is a great idea, also! I just hope my wife doesn't mind the paint all over the windows

OH! I almost forgot. I was trying to find the previous posts about opening/using a can of paint without making a mess all over the place. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Good luck, respect your brushes and go with the flow.

I am a lefty! Been adjustin' to a right-handed world all of my life. But that's ok, I'm a better person for it

I saw those Mack brushes for waterbase paints. I also saw a Signature Series from Mike Lavalee(sp?). I'm finding alot of interesting information.

Lavalee's brushes are bingo for lefthanded signwriters, as they are synthetic hair, can be used in waterbased or oil based(dont' mix'em up tho, separate set for oil, and water.)
The hairs are realatively short, and stiff. Left handed lettering seems (to me) to work better with a bit shorter haired brushes. .Those Lavalee brushes have done whole jobs for me with so good results, oneshot on painted cement block.

paint on!