One of the most common questions from face painters at every level is: how do I load my one stroke brush properly? Getting this right makes a huge difference to the quality of your designs — and once you've mastered it, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it.
What is Onestroke Loading?
One stroke loading is the technique of loading two or more colours onto a flat brush at the same time, so that when you make a single stroke, you get a beautiful blend of colours in one movement. It's the technique behind those stunning butterflies, flowers and leaves you see professional face painters create in seconds.
What You Need
To load a onestroke brush effectively, you need three things: a good quality flat or angle brush, the right paints, and a well-organised palette. Sally-Ann Lynch's bespoke face paint palettes are ideal for one stroke loading — the shallow, water-resistant foam holds the paint perfectly and makes loading your brush quick, clean and consistent. Sally recommends her go-to 9 brush set for one stroke work — the right brush makes all the difference.
Step-by-Step: How to Load Your Brush
Follow these steps for a perfect one stroke load every time:
- Dampen your brush — use a small amount of water. Too much water will make your paints runny and hard to control.
- Load your onestroke colour — press one side of your flat/angle brush into the first colour, working it into the bristles with a gentle back-and-forth motion.
- Paint! — apply to the skin with confident, flowing strokes. The more pressure you apply, the darker the colour. Sometimes, however, you need a lighter load — simply adjust your pressure accordingly.
Tips for Better Results
Practice makes perfect with onestroke loading, but here are a few tips to speed up your progress:
- Use less water than you think you need — it's easier to add more than to fix a watery brush. Do not reach for those wipes! Dry off your brush on your towel, then work it back into the paint to bring it to the consistency you need. You may need to repeat this a few times.
- Keep your palette clean and organised. A well-laid-out palette like the Fabulous Onestroke Palette or the All The Colours Palette makes colour selection and loading much faster.
- Practise your strokes on an A4 practice board before working on skin — it builds muscle memory and confidence quickly.
- Experiment with colour combinations — some of the most beautiful results come from unexpected pairings. Happy mistakes happen.
- Watch your brush angle — a flatter angle gives wider strokes, a more upright angle gives finer detail.
The Right Palette Makes All the Difference
Experienced face painters know that the palette you use has a huge impact on your one stroke results. Sally-Ann's bespoke palettes are specifically designed with one stroke artists in mind — the paint depth, foam quality and colour selection all contribute to a faster, cleaner load and more vibrant results. Browse the full range of one stroke palettes here and find your perfect match.
Want to take your skills further? Check out Sally's online and in-person training — with over 190 easy-to-follow tutorials, plus help and support whenever you need it.