The
Fan brush is the most specific of artists brushes used for blending
colors in both landscapes and portrait painting. Fan brushes are
particularly useful for painting soft edges on clouds and are available
in sable, synthetic, and badger hair and hog bristle. Fan brushes can be
made with straight bristles, but the best are made with flagged, curved
bristles. Fan blenders are primarily used to modify oil paint that has
already been applied to the canvas. These are used for water mixable oil
color and acrylic to blend colors and soften edges and textures. These
imparts special effects, while painting, such as foliage, hair, clouds
and other fine, soft details.
When used dry, they can soften edges, eliminate brush strokes for a
smooth modeled look or lend side by side colors. They are also popular
for stippling and graining effects. This style of brush can be used for
patterns like grass, water and makes sweeping strokes for blending oils.
Fan brushes, when used wet, give the appearance of fur especially when
the medium is like aqua color. Unique technique for fantasy make up,
these are also used for shading and texturing. Fan brushes are also
useful for glazing thin coats of transparent color over more opaque,
dried paint.
