ABC's of Linework
Anatomy of a Paintbrush
A good Liner brush loaded and used correctly will do most of the work for you. Let's begin with how the brush is constructed... Click images for larger view.
See the drawing and note The Belly and the Tip.
 The Belly:
Liner brushes have a belly. Unlike the human operators a belly is a good thing for a liner brush to have. The belly of the liner brush is where the thinned paint is held and released to the tip as needed.
When the posture of the brush is used correctly this feeding to the tip system can create long graceful lines without re-loading. The length of the hairs and the thickness of the belly are what determines how long you can go without re-loading.
The "Tip"
The tip of the brush is what will make your lining wonderful or terrible.
 If your brush looks like is was electrocuted when it's dry things are not going to improve much when you line with it.
Loading the Liner brush:
Now that we have established that you have a fine liner in good condition, let's move on to learning how to properly load your liner brush. A liner brush that has been loaded correctly will allow the paint to flow off of the tip in a consistent even flow dictated by it's operator. Really Truly..I promise! (grin)
Begin with fresh paint. Always begin with fresh paint. At a pennies per squirt there is no sense or should I say (cents) in using dried up paint. Fresh paint always works better than dried paint.
If you really want to do this right allow your liner brush to sit in your water basin for a minute or so before beginning do not let the tiptouch the bottom or it will ruin the brush. I use a water basin with a brush "rest" built in.Science tells us that water molecules are attracted to other water molecules.. therefore a wet brush will hold more water better than a dry brush will and how a liner holds water is what makes it work well.
 Dip some water out of the well with the liner and place it next to your puddle of paint.
Pull some paint out of the puddle into the water and use the bristles to "gently" mix the paint and water together. the ideal consistency for "FINE" lining is an "ink-like" consistency. for thicker lining or strokes a "cream -like" consistency is what is needed.
 Place the bristles onto (yes onto)...no stabbing at the paint, lay it right on the thinned puddle of paint and Twist the handle of the brush thru the thinned paint. Pulling back towards your shoulder as you leave the puddle.Some say the twisting isn't necessary but ...who's teaching this? them or me? (wink) The liner brush is one of the few brushes that can and should be loaded up to the ferruleYou will want to clean your brush frequently by swishhing in your clean water basin Paint that dries near the ferrule will build up and cause those bad hair days we spoke of earlier.
When loaded properly a liner is cut to fall into a good looking tip.
If your brush still looks bad when loaded correctly it is time to purchase a new brush. Do not skimp when buying a liner brush. With today's imports and pricing, quality brushes are readily available. Most lines offered by brush companieswill host several great choices in liners. You should be able to find an all-purpose liner 4 -10 dollars. My favorite recommendation for an all purpose synthetic liner is Loew-Cornell's #7050 size 10/0 The synthetic fibers have a "bounce or springy-ness" which helps to create the proper tension and spring to keep your brush up on it's toes.
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