Brushmark

Brushmark refers to the mark or trace left by a brush on a surface during painting or drawing. It results from the interaction of brush shape, load of pigment, brush angle, pressure, and stroke direction. Brushmarks can be deliberate visual elements or subtle indicators of technique, and they contribute to the texture, rhythm, and luminosity of a work.

In painting, brushmarks range from smooth, nearly invisible strokes to pronounced, textured lines. Techniques such as scumbling, dry brushing, glazing, or impasto are characterized by distinct brushmarks that affect surface irregularities and light reflection. The presence or absence of brushmarks can reveal an artist’s approach, handling of paint, and the intended surface economy.

Materials and supports influence brushmarks. Oils, acrylics, watercolors, and tempera each interact with brushes and substrates differently, producing varying brushmark quality. The type of brush (hog bristle, synthetic, flat, filbert) and the amount of paint on the brush affect the width, pressure, and texture of the mark.

In conservation and art history, brushmarks are analyzed to understand technique, authenticate works, and study restoration history. Cleaning, varnishing, or overpainting can alter their visibility, while underdrawings and preliminary layers may leave faint traces beneath later brushmarks.

In digital art, brushmarks describe the texture and pattern produced by digital brushes. Artists adjust settings such as opacity, flow, and texture to simulate traditional brushwork, creating or controlling the appearance of brushmarks in a digital medium.