Brush techniques

The governing concept is matching the brush path to the desired line. To make a wavy line, the brush is guided in smooth alternating curves from side to side, making option B correct. Lifting upward, pressing at one point, or keeping the brush still cannot create a continuous wave because none produces the required changing lateral direction.

The governing concept is following the outline of a form with the brush. A circular movement carries the brush around a curved, closed path and can create a round shape, so option C is correct. A straight downward stroke makes a line, isolated dots do not form a continuous outline, and a motionless brush cannot produce any shape.

The governing concept is texture-making through brush application. Repeated light dabbing deposits small, separate touches of paint, creating a broken or dotted texture; therefore option D is correct. A long straight band requires a drawn stroke, leaving a blank area requires no paint, and paper cutting is a separate craft action unrelated to dabbing.

The governing concept is varying brush pressure to vary stroke width. Pressing the brush and then gradually lifting it changes a broad mark into a fine pointed end, which can form a simple leaf shape; therefore option A is correct. A long straight line lacks the tapered form, a still brush makes no mark, and folding paper is not a painting stroke.

The governing concept is using the brush tip with light pressure and a quick lifting motion. Pulling the tip upward quickly creates narrow, tapered marks that resemble blades of grass, so option B is correct. Pressing hard or striking with the whole brush makes broader marks, while excess water changes paint flow and does not by itself produce fine grass strokes.

Near a drawing boundary, the governing principle is careful edge control. Small, controlled strokes reduce the amount of paint released at one time and make it easier to stop exactly at the outline. Therefore option C is correct. Fast uncontrolled movement and heavy pressure can push colour outside the shape, while deliberately spreading colour beyond the boundary damages a neat edge.

Brush selection should match the size and purpose of the area. A large flat brush has broad bristles, so each stroke covers more surface and a background can be filled quickly with fewer passes. Thus option A is correct. A liner brush is meant for fine details, a pencil tip makes narrow marks, and an eraser removes marks rather than applying colour.

The governing principle is to match brush size with the scale of the area and the precision required. A small fine brush holds a manageable amount of colour and gives better control in tiny spaces, so option B is correct. A wide or wall-painting brush covers too much area, and a large sponge cannot place colour accurately in small details.

Line thickness depends mainly on brush pressure and the spread of the bristles. Maintaining nearly constant pressure keeps the brush contact reasonably steady, producing a line of even width. Therefore option C is correct. Constantly changing pressure creates variation, strong initial pressure makes one end thicker, and extra pressure only at the end changes the finish rather than keeping the whole line uniform.

The governing concept is pressure variation in brushwork. A line becomes thick when greater pressure spreads the bristles and becomes thin when pressure is gradually reduced. Thus option D, brush pressure, is correct. The paper colour and painting name do not alter the width of a stroke, and changing the handle alone does not create the controlled thick-to-thin transition.

The governing concept is the relationship between water content and opacity. Colour containing very little water remains concentrated, so the brush can leave a thick, strong and clearly visible mark. Thus option C is correct. A transparent stroke usually results from more diluted paint, while an invisible mark or merely a wet stain does not describe the normal effect of concentrated colour.

The governing concept is proper brush maintenance. If a brush is left standing in water, the wet bristles may press against the container or remain distorted, causing them to bend and lose their intended shape. Therefore option D is correct. The other choices describe no useful or realistic result of soaking a brush, and long soaking does not improve colour or the handle.

The governing concept is matching the cleaning method to the painting medium. Water-based colours are normally removed with clean water, whereas paints that do not dissolve in water require their suitable recommended cleaning medium. Thus option A is correct. Dry soil, sand and paper cannot properly dissolve or remove paint and may scratch, clog or damage the bristles.

The governing concept is gentle bristle maintenance. After cleaning, excess water can be removed carefully and the bristles can be guided back into their original point or shape with gentle fingers. Therefore option B is correct. Crushing, cutting, bending or tying the hairs can permanently damage their alignment and reduce the brush’s control during later painting.

The governing concept is safe storage of painting tools. A brush should be stored after suitable cleaning and drying, with its bristles free from pressure so that they retain their shape and flexibility. Therefore option C is correct. A heavy object, wet closed storage or leaving the brush in paint can deform the bristles, encourage damage or make them hard.

The governing concept is controlled practice before final application. A separate practice sheet allows the learner to test pressure, direction, paint consistency and stroke shape without damaging the finished artwork or another useful surface. Therefore option D is correct. A completed painting, a book cover and a table are unsuitable because mistakes may cause permanent damage or unwanted marks.

The governing concept is controlling brush contact with the surface. Pressing more of the bristles onto the paper generally creates a broader line, while lighter pressure or a different angle can create a narrower line. Therefore option B is correct. Changing only the colour changes hue, not line thickness, and changing paper or cutting the handle is not a normal brush-control method.

The governing concept is brush angle and contact area. When a brush is held nearly upright, the bristles meet the surface mainly at their pointed end, producing a narrow or fine mark. Therefore option C is correct. The handle and palm do not normally touch the painting surface, while the ferrule should remain above it to avoid scratching or unwanted marks.

The governing concept is that brush angle changes the contact area between the bristles and the painting surface. When the brush is held at a lower angle, more bristles touch the paper, so the mark generally becomes broader and may vary in width. Therefore, option D is correct. A dot is made with a pointed touch, while erasing, cutting paper, or automatic colour removal does not result from changing the brush angle.

The governing concept is texture creation through controlled brush marks. A dry brush carrying only a small amount of paint skips across parts of the surface and produces broken, irregular strokes. These rough marks can suggest the uneven ridges of tree bark, so option A is correct. A wet wash creates a smooth spread, while a straight band, spilled water, or an uncontrolled mark does not specifically create bark texture.

The governing concept is that artistic skill develops through repeated practice and proper care of tools. Regular practice improves hand control, pressure, angle, and consistency, while cleaning removes dried paint and preserves the brush shape. Thus option B contains both essential habits. Buying a new brush is unnecessary, and wasting colour or leaving paint on the bristles harms technique and equipment.

The governing concept is brush-angle control. Tilting the brush allows a larger part of the bristle bundle to contact the surface, and changing pressure or rotating the brush can alter the width during one movement. Therefore option B is correct: it describes a broad stroke whose thickness can vary. A dot or a very thin line usually comes from the tip, and an angle cannot make a line colourless.

The governing concept is matching the brush part and shape to the required mark. The pointed tip concentrates paint in a small area and gives the artist precise control over short lines, dots, and fine details. Thus option C is correct. The handle and ferrule are not painting surfaces, while the full broad face is intended for wider marks rather than delicate work.

The governing concept is the press-and-lift brush stroke, in which pressure controls the width and lifting reduces the mark to a pointed end. A slight turn can help shape the curved form of a small petal. Therefore option A is correct. Leaving the brush in water does not create a mark, rubbing may damage the paper, and the handle cannot apply paint with fine control.

The governing concept is controlled moisture management when loading a brush. Gently touching or rolling the wet bristles on a clean cloth or tissue absorbs surplus water while leaving enough moisture for the paint to flow. Hence option B is correct. Striking the brush can damage the bristles, cutting them changes the brush, and prolonged sunlight is unnecessary and may harm the tool.