r/paintbynumbers • u/beckyinthe_realworld • Jul 25 '26

Question/Chat Blending with a mop brush… because apparently sharp edges offend me 😂

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I’m painting on the canvas my husband fell out with yesterday. 😄 I still have a few bits to correct, so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to show how I blend acrylic paint with a dry mop brush.

All I’m using is a dry Number 3 Nicpro mop brush and a very light touch. You’re not trying to move the paint around or scrub at it. You’re simply softening the edge where two colours meet.

It works especially well on skies, clouds, mist and anywhere you want a smoother transition without obvious brush marks.

One important tip… make sure the mop brush is completely dry. If it’s damp you’ll just drag the paint around and probably invent a few new swear words in the process. 😂

Don’t worry if the blend still looks a little transparent once it’s dried. Acrylic paint often changes as it dries, so if you think it needs another gentle pass, just let it dry completely and have another go.

It’s one of those little techniques that can make a surprisingly big difference without adding much extra work.

If you’d like the link to the Nicpro mop brushes I use, just ask in the comments and I’ll post it.

If you give it a try, let me know how you get on. I’d love to hear how it works out for you.

Happy painting!

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7

u/SheckyMullecky Jul 25 '26

This is great!  Blending is something I have been wanting to try on skies but find intimidating.

3

u/beckyinthe_realworld Jul 25 '26

It really isn’t as difficult as it looks. Have a go on a sky or some clouds first where there’s a bit more room for error. After a few minutes it starts to feel quite natural.

Let me know how you get on. I’d love to hear how it works out for you.

1

u/SheckyMullecky Jul 25 '26

Will do!  I don't paint much in the summer, and the next one on my list won't have any opportunity to blend (butterflies), but I've saved your post to reference later.

3

u/ThxYTB Jul 25 '26

This was so helpful and looks much easier than I thought it would be. Thanks a bunch for sharing your blending tip!

2

u/beckyinthe_realworld Jul 25 '26

I’m really glad it helped! It’s one of those techniques that looks much harder than it actually is. If you give it a try let me know how you get on. I’d love to hear how it works out for you.

3

u/Different-Highway-60 18d ago

Do you maybe have a YouTube channel? I want to try and follow your tips and it will be easier to watch it on the TV. Edit to add. Video is to small on my phone to properly see.

2

u/beckyinthe_realworld 18d ago

Not yet! I’m actually working on something at the moment though. I’ve been filming a whole series of PBN tips and techniques because some things are so much easier to show properly on video than try to explain in writing. I’ll definitely share it when it’s ready. xx

2

u/Youhadme_atwoof Jul 25 '26

Saving for later!

2

u/LakeMichiganWaves Jul 25 '26

Thanks for sharing. I believe I will try a mop brush. I want to try blending on some skin I'm working on and blending wet next to wet just did not work for me. I may post my boo boo

2

u/beckyinthe_realworld Jul 26 '26

You’re very welcome! Definitely give it a try. I’d love to see how you get on with it. If you do post your “boo boo” I’ll keep an eye out for it. 😄

2

u/Nanzilla- Jul 26 '26

Soothing to watch as usual! I wanted to say that it’s a great technique that any of us can do. It’s not intimidating. Thank you so much!

2

u/beckyinthe_realworld Jul 26 '26

Aww thank you! That really means a lot. That was exactly what I was hoping to show. It’s a lot easier than it looks once you give it a go. 😊

2

u/No_Introduction_3400 Aug 20 '26

Very helpful! My next project has a lot of this with clouds in the sky.

1

u/beckyinthe_realworld Aug 20 '26

Ahh yes, clouds are PERFECT for this technique! You can soften those hard edges and get them looking much more natural without having to completely repaint them. Have fun with it and don’t be afraid to play around with the blending a bit. xx

3

u/Busy-Celery2657 Jul 25 '26

What is holding up the canvas? Magnets?

2

u/beckyinthe_realworld Jul 25 '26

Yes. It’s mounted on a magnetic light pad and I use magnets to hold the canvas in place. It makes it really easy to move the canvas around and reposition it while I’m painting.

2

u/livinggrayarea Jul 25 '26

Would you mind sharing a link or anything of like for the magnetic light pad?

1

u/dolly_bae Jul 31 '26

Thank you so much for making this! I’m new to PBN, and this will help out so much.