How to create the perfect V when painting foliage, using the fan brush
The Series 4 Fan Brush is one of my go-to brushes for creating realistic foliage. With the right paint loading, angle and pressure, the edge of the brush can produce crisp V-shaped marks that suggest clusters of leaves without looking repetitive.
Preparing the Fan Brush
Load both sides of the brush through the paint, then gently pull the brush back through the mixture. This helps bring the hairs together and creates a cleaner working edge. Test both sides of the fan because one edge may naturally produce a sharper mark than the other.
Creating the V-shaped foliage mark
Hold the fan roughly horizontally, angle it towards the surface and use a light touch. Small changes to the angle of the handle and the amount of pressure make a big difference to the shape of the mark.
Adjust the mark for distance
- Foreground foliage: use slightly stronger, larger marks with more variation.
- Background foliage: work with the very tip and minimal pressure for smaller, quieter shapes.
- Softer foliage: use less paint and allow the broken edge of the brush to create more irregular texture.
Avoid stamping the same shape repeatedly. Rotate the brush, change the angle and vary the spacing so the foliage feels natural.
Technical Exercise: How to Paint Foliage
In this exercise I demonstrate how brush loading, angle and pressure can be varied to build convincing foliage with depth.
👉 Shop the 3 Piece Fan Brush Set
Happy painting!
