How to Double (and Even Triple!) Load Your Wedge Brush 🌸

Want to achieve two or even three colours in a single brushstroke? The secret lies in how you load your wedge brush. This simple but powerful technique can transform flat strokes into dynamic, gradient effects that look advanced but are easy to master with a little practice.

Set Up the Palette

Start by arranging colours side by side on your palette. For double loading, place two colours close together. 

For triple loading, line up three, usually a light, mid, and dark tone. The goal is to keep them distinct but just touching, rather than blending them completely.

Loading Two Colours

Dip one corner of the wedge brush into the first colour and the other corner into the second.

Gently press and drag the brush across the palette a few times to let the colours meet in the middle, creating a smooth gradient without muddying the paint.

💡 Pro Tip: Reload often. If the colour starts to fade, it’s time to dip again.

Loading Three Colours

For three colours, use the same technique: light on one tip, dark on the other, and the mid-tone in the centre. Glide the brush across the palette in short strokes to pick them all up evenly. 

Avoid overworking the paint, just a few passes are enough.

💡 Pro Tip: If the middle colour gets lost, simply reload by dipping the flat belly of the brush into that colour again.

First Strokes on Paper

Before diving into a project, test your loaded brush on scrap paper. Practice petals or leaves to see the gradient effect appear in one stroke. Adjust by reloading until the transition looks smooth and balanced.

💡 Pro Tip: Tilting the brush slightly allows more control over which colour edge shows up in the design.

Mini Project: Gradient Flower 🌼

To put it all together, try painting a quick flower. Load your wedge brush with three colours, then create overlapping petals. With just a few strokes, you’ll have a vibrant bloom with natural highlights and shadows, no blending required.

My Final Painting

Featured Product: BLOOM by Craftamo 🌸

All of these techniques shine when paired with BLOOM by Craftamo, a set designed specifically for creating petals, leaves, and flowing gradients. The wedge brushes in this collection stand apart for their precision and versatility.

Crafted with a unique angular silhouette, the wedge replicates the structure of a fountain pen, combining a broad paint reservoir with a fine, controlled tip. This allows artists to glide seamlessly from thick to thin strokes, producing dynamic shapes with an effortless, organic flow. Perfect for floral work, it’s the brush every bloom deserves.

👉 [Discover BLOOM by Craftamo here]

Final Thoughts 🌿

And that’s how to double and even triple load your wedge brush for stunning gradients in a single stroke. Whether you’re painting flowers, leaves, or abstract designs, this technique opens up endless creative possibilities.

Curious to see it in action? This tutorial is also available in video format!
 👉 Watch the full YouTube tutorial here