Dear swirls and curls - I hate you

I've just learned how to make roses and I love the design that have swirls and curls coming from them. I just can't seem to get them to look good! I know I'm still new but it's frustrating. I've looked up the youtube tutorials and I still can't get it. My brush is either too wet or too dry, and when I do get the right consistency I can't seem to place them properly. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

What kind of paint are you using?

I would say too dry is the issue in the pic, but if you're not using enough water because you'd previously had experiences with it being too wet, it's that you're not activating enough paint to the right consistency. I currently have DFX for line work, and I work mine into almost a heavy cream consistency for line work.

Wanted to add-
I usually start out by adding about 4 drops to my cake, then I roll my brush against the paint until the water has pulled enough paint into it to make it coat the brush without dripping off, then I add a couple more drops each time I go back to reload and again, roll my brush against the paint till I get the right consistency. At least that's how I do it .

Your roses are lovely now!

Maybe more wet and larger brush so you can do thinner and thicker lines. (Press harder for thicker lines, lift up and barely touch for thinner)

Yes, thin to thick to thin...and load your brush well. Practice the swirls and curls alone as part of your line work. I would work the paint up a little more than you are doing, all the way down to the ferrel of the brush.

Try a dippy pot for them...then you don't hae to mess with the consistency each time!

Your roses are beautiful!

Ooh I love the dippy pot idea - I'll definitely give it a try!

It's like taking a race car around the track, wherever you would apply the brakes is where you press for thicker and then let up on the gas and accelerate around the next curve picking up speed then hit the brake again. Exaggerate it until it feels comfortable.

I agree about the loading. Linework needs to be a little more wet so you can go more than 2" without reloading.

D.

Denise Cold wrote:It's like taking a race car around the track, wherever you would apply the brakes is where you press for thicker and then let up on the gas and accelerate around the next curve picking up speed then hit the brake again. Exaggerate it until it feels comfortable.

I agree about the loading. Linework needs to be a little more wet so you can go more than 2" without reloading.

D.

YES ~ Your race car analogy is perfect, Denise! That helps put it in perspective. Thanks!

Denise I think I'll paint that on my wall above my practice table!!! Great way to explain curls and swirls. I just hope future new painters will find this thread and read your words.
Maybe there should be a listing for "Basics" words of wisdom from those who have walked through the fire and KNOW how to explain it.

Could I also suggest taking the end of your brush as making a small well in your paint. Couple drops of water, work it a little and you have a nice consistency paint for swirls. Works for me. When "well" get too large for my liking I wait til I have a dry cake and just smoosh it all towards the center to flatten and start over.

Well your roses look awesome!

Thanks, still working on them. Practice never, ever hurts.

Lol that issurely does not! thats one thing i really need to work on myself but i always end up painting something else instead lol!

Hey Martha, I just noticed the leaves on your roses are very "tucked in" for lack of a better word....do you do them first?

D.

Thanks for the kind words manja & skjfunny....

Nope, I just kinda started the leaf where I thought it should go. Think it looks OK? Your opinion means a lot to me.