UNDERSTAND THE TECHNIQUE
The broad side lays in areas
Load the head evenly and remove excess paint. Place the broad side down and draw the brush steadily across the surface. Consistent pressure helps keep the stroke width even. Add slightly overlapping bands to make a continuous area. Mix enough paint in advance so you do not have to prepare a different mixture halfway through. A prepared, efficient sequence is particularly useful with acrylic.
Working on the narrow edge
A flat brush can paint an area with its broad side and a thinner mark with its narrow edge. Rotate the handle so that the chosen side suits the direction of the stroke. There is no fixed angle for this: it depends on your starting position and the direction you are pulling. Use light pressure and try a short stroke. A thick ridge of paint can still leave a broad line even with the brush held on its narrow edge. These tests are useful for divisions within a rectangle, for example.
Clean edges need a planned movement
For a clear edge, align the end of the head with the intended boundary. Then pull in a direction that is comfortable for your hand and arm. Turn the paper if needed. Many small corrections can make an initially clean edge uneven. On wet paint, the new layer may merge with the one below; on a dry layer, it stays more distinctly separate. Decide beforehand whether you want the edge to appear hard or soft.
Choose a width to suit the area
The 4421 suits many small and medium strokes. The 4422 has a broader, straight Flat Wash shape; the reviewed product information does not specify its media suitability. For large acrylic areas, the 5624 is available in widths of 80 and 100 mm. The basic movement is similar, but paint requirements, grip and palette space change. A large head reduces the number of strokes if you can move it freely across the area. A smaller shape is more practical in tight spaces.
What this shared lesson covers
The linked Fleury film belongs to series 4421 and covers areas of colour, transitions and thin lines. The notes on 4422 and 5624 apply the principle of broad side and edge to related shapes; they are not separate product demonstrations. In your experiments, observe how far one load goes and where joins appear. If the paint is becoming tacky, finish the application and plan another layer rather than continuing to work the surface.
All sketches show shape and movement direction schematically. The actual paint mark also depends on paint, surface and moisture.