Painting Straight or Thin Lines

Helpful painting tips submitted by fellow artists.

Pick up paintbrush
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by Marion Boddy-Evans
Marion Boddy-Evans is an artist living on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. She has written for art magazines blogs, edited how-to art titles, and co-authored travel books.
Updated May 24, 2019

If you've trouble painting thin lines, try revealing them instead of painting them. Start by painting a background color in the color you want the lines to be (in the example in the photo, this is black). Let it dry completely then paint the overall color (in the photo: gray in the background wings and white in the foreground ones).

Sgaffito

While the second layer is still wet, scratch through the paint to reveal the underlying color. A pencil works well, as does a toothpick. Technically, it's called sgraffito.

Using a Foam Brush

A foam brush is best to use for straight lines, such as a distant ocean line. Angle the straight edge of the brush into the paint, then apply it to the canvas. I find it most useful to be able to follow a lightly drawn pencil line.

Using Transparent Gel

When I use masking tape on an acrylic painting to get a clean line, I seal the edge with transparent gel medium. This makes a perfect edge.

Using a Pizza Knife

When trying to paint thin lines for a wire fence or telegraph wires in a dry or wet painting, just thin your paint down and use a pizza knife.

Using Oil Pastels

In my opinion, oil pastels with oil paint and watercolor crayons with acrylics and/or watercolor represent the easiest and best way to incorporate line into paintings.