Can you paint without a brush?

Experimentation has been one of the best practices to invent new ways of representing a work of art. This has given rise to new techniques and art movements that have revolutionised art and given artists the chance to paint in new ways. In this article, we will focus on three painting techniques in which the brush is not needed.

The dragging technique

This technique consists of applying the paint with the support that dictates the final result of the work, instead of the brush. To do this, we dilute the acrylic paint in water and pour a few drops on the paper. Once we have some paint spots, we drag them with a toothpick or a palette knife. In this way, we will paint without using a brush. For this technique, you need acrylic paint, water, chopsticks or a knife, and a cloth for cleaning. Dutch expressionists Willem de Kooning and Gerhard Richter are among the most prominent artists who used this technique.

Pouring the paints

This involves pouring different colours of paint onto a surface to produce unexpected patterns. The pouring technique, also known as fluid art, is one of the most experimented methods in recent years and has been gaining popularity of late. To paint with this technique, you need fluid acrylic paint, water, and pouring fluid. There are indeed several ways to apply it, such as direct pouring, where you apply the paint to the canvas in puddles and then move the surface to create the shapes, and dirty pouring, where you use a plastic cup to pour the paint. This way, you can mix the colours in a more relaxed manner.

Ebru or marbling art

This painting technique is characterised by the fact that it is done on a watery surface and that it allows you to obtain patterns similar to those of marble. To do this, you will need the following materials: a surface to put the water on, white glue to thicken the water, oil paint, pins or fine utensils and a canvas or waterproof surface. Each piece you create will be transferred to the canvas and is a unique creation, hence the need to pay attention to the details and value of each drawing made with this technique.

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