Some of the links shared in this blog post are affiliate links. This means I make a small commission when you purchase through these links at no extra cost to you. All opinions and reviews shown are honest and my own. Thank you for supporting my small business! 

Today, I’m bringing you one of my most common FAQs when it comes to painting tutorials for beginners. We’re going to be talking about something I know a lot of painters get stuck on…sharp lines and blended backgrounds.  

When should you go for those crips, clean lines, and when should you try blending for a soft, ombre look? It can be a little tricky to know which technique to use and how to get the look that you want, so I’m going to break it down for you below! 

We’re going to chat about the brushes, about how to apply the paint, and I’m going to show you some examples, so that you can see the difference for yourself. Let’s dive in!

The Difference Between Sharp and Blended Lines

Let’s start with the basics. Sharp lines and blended lines are all about how two colors meet on your surface.

Sharp lines give you clean, defined edges. Think hand lettering, flower petals, quilt block patterns, etc. Anytime you want to create something that’s clearly defined and precise, sharp lines are the way to go.

Blended lines are seamless and have a softer look. They’re often called “ombre” because the colors fade into one another. 

But the truth is, while these two styles are distinctly different, they’re often BOTH used on projects — like a blended background with sharp lines for design and lettering layered on top. The key is just knowing what look you’re going for.

Want to see these differences in action? Check out my Ombre Easter Egg Door Hanger Tutorial here!

The Right Tools Make All the Difference

You don’t need a bunch of fancy tools to make it work, but having the right brush and setup does help a ton.

For sharp lines, flat brushes or small round detail brushes give you control. Washi tape is a favorite, too! It can help guide you as you paint without leaving residue, as painter’s tape can sometimes do.

For blended lines, you’ll want a brush with a bit of softness to it. A filbert tip (rounded shape) or a mop brush (like a fluffy makeup brush) will help you get that smooth transition from one color to the next.

If you don’t have these supplies yet, you can find them in my Amazon storefront or at shopdoorhangers.com!

I also recommend practicing on something like cardstock, mixed media pads, or even scrap cardboard before you start on a door hanger!

How to Paint Crisp, Clean Lines

Painting sharp lines is a skill that gets easier the more you practice! Here’s how you can get started: 

1. Start with a damp (not wet!) brush. Swipe it on your hand — it should feel cool and damp, but not drip.
2. Use very little paint. Too much can cause it to bleed past the line you want to create. 
3. Paint the first section and let it dry completely. This step is key if you want that crisp separation. Make sure it’s completely dry before adding on another coat if necessary!
4. Add your second color right up against the dry edge. You can slightly overlap to avoid any white gaps.
5. Use painter’s tape or washi tape for extra help keeping lines sharp.

PRO TIP: Instead of only moving your wrist when painting a line, try using your whole arm or even engaging your core to help you have better control!

How to Create a Soft, Seamless Blend

Blending is all about working quickly while the paint is still wet. This “wet-on-wet” method allows you to feather colors into each other before they start to dry. To get this look, you can: 

1. Dampen your brush, but make sure you blot off any excess water. You don’t want to create a puddle!
2. Paint your first color onto the surface.
3. While it’s still wet, paint the second color next to it — either on the side, top, or bottom, depending on the design or look you’re going for. 
4. Use light pressure and a gentle back-and-forth or circular motion to blend where the colors meet. Pushing down too hard with your paintbrush will give you harsher lines, so just “feather” it out instead!
5. Adjust as needed. Add more paint, spritz with water, or dab your brush to soften if it’s getting muddy.
6. Repeat the process if you want to add a third color. 

The great thing about blended lines is that it’s so much easier to go back and paint over anything you don’t love without needing to start over. It’s a simple painting technique to start with!

Make Sure You Avoid This…

While neither sharp or blended lines are super hard, you do want to make sure you avoid a few things as you paint!

• Trying to blend wet paint on dry paint will lead to patchy results. Keep things damp and work quickly.
• Using too much water can create muddy messes or warp your surface (especially paper).
• Painting sharp lines too soon (before the first color dries) can cause bleeding and make the rest of your door hanger project harder to complete. Painting on top of a wet layer will “push” out the first layer, which causes paint ridges…something you don’t want!

Trying these techniques will take some trial and error, but with a little practice, you’ll be able to nail it down fast!

Want More Beginner Tips? 

Check out my FREE door hanger mini-course!

This 5-part video series will teach you how to create your own door hangers, step-by-step. It’ll walk you through each phase of creating a door hanger — supplies, painting, using your door hanger template, and smoothing out all the finishing touches — so you can start building your confidence while having fun!

Follow me here to learn more and grab your FREE mini course.