Finishing touches are the small marks you add at the very end, once the paint is completely dry. They can make a soft painting look crisp, polished and complete.
How do I add outlines?
- Let the painting dry completely. Pen on damp paint can smudge, and the tip can catch on damp paper.
- Use a fine pen. Our Fineliner is a fine black pen made for outlines and details. See "What is the Fineliner for?"
- Keep your lines light and loose. You don't need to trace every edge. Outlining only some parts often looks more natural.
- Vary the line. Slightly thicker lines on the shadow side and thinner lines in the light give your painting depth.
What other finishing touches can I add?
- Dark accents: a few small, dark marks in the deepest shadows, like under a petal or inside an ear.
- Small details: veins on leaves, whiskers, windows, or a few blades of grass, using the very tip of your water brush and creamy paint.
- Texture: a few dots or short dashes with a pen or colored pencil. Colored pencils work well on our sketchbook paper. See "Can I use colored pencils, pastels or other paints with the kit?"
- Lettering: a name, a date or a short quote along the bottom of the page.
How do I know when to stop?
Step back and look at your painting from a distance. If the main shapes read clearly, it's probably finished. Adding too many details can make a painting look busy, so it's often better to stop a little early.
Good to know
Practice outlines on a scrap page or a photocopy first, so you can try a few styles without touching your painting.