Always use the biggest brush possible?
June 15, 2009
This aphorism, “Always use the biggest brush possible” was posted on Rational Painting on June 12th, and engendered a very interesting debate. One side thought that it was good to tell students and beginners to work with the largest brush possible, while the other side thought it to be an incomplete belief better replaced by an awareness of the reasons behind choosing a particular brush: Desired stroke, opacity, edge, etc.
The pro side countered with some of the advantages of using a large brush, namely saving time, being forced to consider the large forms first, and the painterly quality a large brush provides.
The con side didn’t dispute the advantages, but questioned the issues inherent in holding such an all-inclusive thought.
Is it not more important to know why one chooses a certain brush? Its material, shape, spring and size all contribute to the marks it makes, and paintings are built with brush marks, even when those marks are hidden such as in my friend Tony Curanaj’s work.
The debate raised some hackles and good questions. People always react when a belief is challenged, and artists seem to hold quite a few beliefs that can be challenged, such as the “never use black” belief.
What do you think?