Precise Painting for Tiny Details – A Simple Trick

Sometimes, when working with paper pulp or other materials, I come across areas where a regular brush is just too big. Instead of struggling with a fine-tip brush that still spreads too much paint, I reach for something simpler – a toothpick. It works surprisingly well for filling small spaces.

And when the spaces are even smaller – I use a needle. It lets me apply paint very precisely, without flooding the texture or blurring the edges. This is especially useful when I want to highlight details with metallic accents like gold or silver.

This isn't some groundbreaking technique, but every time I use it, it reminds me that you don’t need perfect tools to get something done well. Sometimes the best tools are already in your kitchen or bathroom – a toothpick, an old toothbrush, a needle, even a jar lid. In my work, intuition and attention often matter more than anything you can buy in an art supply store.

Use what’s around you. Often, the simplest solutions are right at hand – you just have to notice them.

Short clip in the video below: