Why You Should Ditch the Pencil and Start Sketching with a Paintbrush

When starting a painting, it’s natural to grab a pencil first. After all, it feels like the “safe” choice—you can sketch lightly, erase mistakes, and refine details.

But what if I told you that skipping the pencil altogether and going straight for a paintbrush could actually improve your paintings?

It may sound counterintuitive, but using a brush from the start gives your artwork more freedom, movement, and spontaneity. Here’s why:

1. Looser, More Expressive Lines

Pencil sketches can feel tight and controlled, making it harder to embrace imperfections. Using a brush instead forces you to let go and trust the process, leading to more organic, dynamic compositions.

2. A Smoother Transition into Painting

Sketching with a brush is just like painting—it helps you get comfortable with your tools and the flow of paint early on, making the transition into your final piece much more natural.

3. Focus on the Big Picture

When you sketch with a brush, you’re not getting lost in tiny details. Instead, you’re blocking in shapes and composition, allowing your painting to evolve more intuitively.

4. Mistakes? Just Paint Over Them!

One of the biggest perks of using a brush is that there’s no eraser needed. If something isn’t working, simply paint over it and keep going. It’s a great way to break free from perfectionism!

How to Start Sketching with a Brush

• Use a larger brush than you would typically think and focus on large shapes and value. Don't get lost in the details at the start.
• Work with thinned-out paint by adding water to your paint.
• Let your hand move freely—think of it as drawing with your whole arm rather than getting stuck in the details.

By skipping the pencil and embracing the brush, you’ll discover a more intuitive, expressive way to paint—one that encourages flow, creativity, and confidence.