Two blog readers have shared some practical insights about tools for guiding painted lines.
From Nick Freeman:
"You made reference in your Berkey post to different methods of achieving straight lines/edges in paint, always a challenge. I've found that commercial bridges are either too low to the surface or too unwieldy. Out of necessity, I came up with a simple, inexpensive aid years ago that has proven to be effective.
"No doubt you've received other/better solutions, but I wanted to share mine.
"Materials are: 18" wooden ruler with metal edge, the handle from an Arttec sanding pad, 3 5/8" dowels (from Hobby Lobby or such) and some wood glue. After cutting the pad handle in half, affix and add dowels as shown in Fig. 2. The outrigger provides stability with minimal contact to the painting surface. The dowels provide sufficient height away from the painting surface so that the ferrule of the brush can be rested against the ruler's edge.
"As the photos indicate, this implement has been in use for a long time and has been a great help. Looking forward to seeing other ideas from you and your readers.
Very best regards,
Nick Freeman"
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After seeing the post about John Berkey, Mario Zara suggested another tool for guiding painted lines.
"Actually, I really don't know what name I would give to that tool (neither in English nor in Italian!), but I can give you some more information. The tool is mentioned in the book (which I bought in digital form) Gouache for Illustration
(page 33), where it's called "Holbein RGB" (see also the attached image):
"The Holbein RGB may look like another gizmo doomed to gather dust, but it isn't. The RGB kit consists of a plastic ruler with a groove and a glass rod with a ball tip that rides snugly in the groove.
"With it you can draw not only perfectly straight lines with a brush but also precise curved lines. For straight lines, you hold your brush alongside the glass rod—in somewhat the same way you hold chopsticks. You hold the brush well away from the rounded tip of the glass rod as it rides in the grooved ruler.
"Where the RGB really comes into its own is in drawing precise curves with a brush. The rod and brush follow the edge of a French curve as easily as a straightedge. The glass rod is also a splendid tool for burnishing cut marks left in the surface of a support by overzealous cutting of a frisket. The RGB is a slick little tool.
"The tool is commonly used in Japanese animation studios. See for example here (search 'ruler'):"
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Thanks, Nick and Mario!
(page 33), where it's called "Holbein RGB" (see also the attached image):
"The Holbein RGB may look like another gizmo doomed to gather dust, but it isn't. The RGB kit consists of a plastic ruler with a groove and a glass rod with a ball tip that rides snugly in the groove.
"With it you can draw not only perfectly straight lines with a brush but also precise curved lines. For straight lines, you hold your brush alongside the glass rod—in somewhat the same way you hold chopsticks. You hold the brush well away from the rounded tip of the glass rod as it rides in the grooved ruler.
"Where the RGB really comes into its own is in drawing precise curves with a brush. The rod and brush follow the edge of a French curve as easily as a straightedge. The glass rod is also a splendid tool for burnishing cut marks left in the surface of a support by overzealous cutting of a frisket. The RGB is a slick little tool.
"The tool is commonly used in Japanese animation studios. See for example here (search 'ruler'):"
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Thanks, Nick and Mario!
Previously on GurneyJourney: My own mahl stick made from a wooden yardstick
Museum of Forgotten Art Supplies / Drawing Templates
Museum of Forgotten Art Supplies / Drawing Templates
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