Painterly refers to the application of paint in a ‘loose’ or less than controlled manner, resulting in the appearance of visible brushstrokes within the finished painting.

Drawing mediums can be dry or wet. A dry medium leaves a mark made of small matter that can be rubbed or blended by smudging. A wet medium uses pigment in liquid, perhaps water or alcohol. Drawing with wet mediums requires a tool like a pen or a brush.

Contrary to what most people believe, this effect isn’t created by using a third-party plug-in but instead makes use of two filters built into Photoshop: Reduce Noise and High Pass.

Linear and Painterly — Elements in the linear canvas are primarily described by line. Figures are distinct from one another; the painting is more or less a colored drawing. The painterly painting relies on color to express form.

Linear painting is based around line and boundary; the artist sees in clear shapes and the outline of forms. An example of a fantastically linear painter is Sandro Botticelli and the proof can be seen in this close-up of The Birth of Venus.

Linear perspective, a system of creating an illusion of depth on a flat surface. All parallel lines (orthogonals) in a painting or drawing using this system converge in a single vanishing point on the composition’s horizon line.

These tips will help you minimize your brush strokes and remove distractions from the smooth, professional finish of your piece.

1. Use the Right Brush for your Paint.
2. Use Good Brush Technique.
3. Paint in the Same Direction as the Wood Grain.
4. Lightly sand in between each coat of paint and after final coat.

A broad-brush approach, strategy, or solution deals with a problem in a general way rather than concentrating on details.

Appositive brush stroke. An appositive is a noun that refers to another noun directly in front of it. Think of the appositive brush stroke as a noun phrase that is acting like an adjective. Appositives are set off by commas in a sentence.