Caroline Linscott

A MEDIUM ROUND will hold a lot of paint, which makes it a good all-around brush.

A SMALL ROUND with a pointed tip is used for fine details.

A BRIGHT is rectangular, with short, stiff bristles—the chisel edge and sharp corners can be used to paint details and straight lines.

A ONE-INCH FLAT is perfect for applying washes, backgrounds, and gradations.

A FAN is great for adding textures, painting grasses, or creating feathered edges

ANALYZING THE COLOR Sometimes I do a tight rendering with light shading to study the subject in terms of light and dark areas. This helps me decide how much of which colors to apply to each area

Ideas for Cool Color Schemes
Chilly, snowy winter scenes
Dew-kissed morning landscapes
Calm lakes and streams
Quiet, peaceful evening light
Clean, crisp mountains

Ideas for Warm Color Schemes
Hot and sunny landscapes
Passionate, fiery sunsets
Cheerful floral scenes

scenes
Comforting firelit rooms
Happy, playful children

Ideas for Complementary Color Schemes
Bright carnivals and parades
Bustling marketplaces
Exciting celebrations
Invigorating sports events
Bold advertisements and signs

As you establish the forms of your subjects, remember that cool colors are often best for shadow areas (that recede), and warm colors are more suitable for light areas (that come forward).

Ideas for Still Life Setups
Timepiece
Musical instruments
Culinary items
Gardening tools
Sports equipment
Antiques
Art materials
Fruits and vegetables