Shading / Highlighting / Floating/ Glazing

Shading and highlighting in acrylic painting was always hard for me until I realized several different things.

1.  I didn't HAVE to use the brush brand, type or size that the artist was listing or using.
2.  There are several different techniques associated with shading and highlighting.
3.  Sometimes you will like one technique better than another based on your design and you can even mix techniques within the design.

My brush brand preference is Dynasty based on years of trying different brands and finally settling on Dynasty for 3 very specific reasons:
1.  They work the best for me, my style and technique of painting and provide an ease of painting that I find relaxing.  The brushes do exactly what I want and need them to do.
2.  Superior quality
3.  Several different lines to choose from
4.  Price is reasonable 

I use brushes within the Faux Squirrel Line, Eye of the Tiger, and IPC2 lines.  There are different sizes and I would recommend buying every other size ( you can pretty much force a brush a size up or down just by the pressure you exert) and adding the other sizes as you can. 

One very important aspect when shading, highlighting and glazing is that the lighter your touch and the less you spread your bristles the happier you are going to be with your "float" of color. 

Glazing is done AFTER you have completed your painting and provides a depth of color change...  Any color can be used for glazing purposes by simply adding a glazing medium to your color.  Transparent colors most generally are used but in some cases you may want a more opaque wash or color.   What colors are transparent and how can you test?  Stay tuned for the last article.

                 These are my favorite brushes for floating color:

(Brush identification below). 

So if you find "floating" color difficult; go out of the box and try different brushes and even brand (All brushes are NOT alike), to find that ease you are striving for as you paint.  The right brush will make all the difference in the enjoyment of painting and also your final results.  2 Important elements in painting.

Everyone has a different "style".  Some paint loose, some tight, even the grasp of a brush is significant.  How you load your brush,
your touch etc.  So as individual as we are, we also become individual in our brush "needs" and techniques.

Dynasty Faux Squirrel Shader
Dynasty IPC2 Pointed Flat
Dynasty Faux Squirrel Dry Brush
Dynasty Faux Squirrel Chisel Blender
Dynasty Faux Squirrel Angle
Dynasty Eye of the Tiger Filbert

The next article will go into specific techniques for shading and highlighting ie:
1.  Pitty Pat
2.  Dry Brushing
3.  Circular
4.  Angular