How long did it take you to master the tear drop?

I do both methods too...press & flick, drag & drop...for me which method I use depends on the flow of the design and where I'm painting. If the precise placement of the bulb of the teardrop is most important, I start there. If the tail's placement is more important, I start there. It's easier to start exactly where you want than it is to end exactly where you want! As for brushes, I agree with other posters that rather than buying a bunch of new brushes or practicing with one brush over and over, you should practice making teardrops with all of your brushes. My current favorites are my filbert brushes. Since they already have a nice, rounded tip, I simply lay that flat side down to create the "bulb," then gradually twist the brush as I lift and pull it to create a tail. It takes some practice to get the twist-and-pull down, but once you get it, it really makes nice, consistent drops!

It has taken me over 2 years to get consistent teardrops that I am happy with. The main thing was putting into practice Marcella's advice about practicing everyday if you can.

As far as brushes go whilst there is a multitude to choose from, the main thing is that you get a brush that doesnt loose its shape and split.
Splitting can be just the brush in some cases and in others it can be how you care for it.

I found that i do like the Mark Reid #2 & #4, but I got 3 x #2's that were split when I bought them and so they were never really that good. Love the #4's but they did eventually split on me too and when I tried to get some more they were out of stock.

It would seem to me that the who's who of face painting are using these particular brushes at the moment Loew Cornell golden grips and the Loew Cornell 7000c.

As a result I recently purchased both of these in sizes #2 & #4 and I must say I am VERY impressed with the way they hold their shape and they just seem easy to use.

Practice does make perfect and good brushed help!

thank you very much ladies

Thank you all!