Artistic activities encompass the "world-artist-artwork-reader" relationship, where the "artist" serves as the core link connecting these elements.

Artists transform their experienced world into artistic creations using unique languages and expressions across various art forms.

Artworks encapsulate the artist's perception of the world, presenting it to readers who, in appreciating the artwork, engage as "implicit readers" per Isers's concept, as artists often consider the audience during creation. Hence, without artists, artistic creation, artworks, appreciation, and the entirety of artistic activities cease to exist

An artist's artistic talent includes emotions beyond the norm, distinct aesthetic sensibilities, and heightened artistic imagination. They prioritize their creative emotional experiences and find joy in the creative process, embodying a strong sense of transformative consciousness and dedicated commitment.

For painters, the brush represents a primary tool for coloring and is pivotal in creating artwork.

Selection of Oil Painting Brushes:

Before delving into oil painting, selecting the appropriate tools is crucial. Choosing oil painting brushes depends on the painting technique.

(1) Texture and Function:

Sable or badger hair brushes: Represent high-grade oil painting brushes, offering moderate softness and hardness, enabling gentle, even coloring without leaving brush marks, suitable for detailed painting. Squirrel hair and monkey hair brushes also fall into the soft hair brush category.

Bristle brushes: Primarily made of hog bristles, they offer strong elasticity and sturdiness. These brushes tend to leave bristle marks while coloring and are capable of lifting thick pigments, used mainly for textured brushstroke techniques.

Ox hair and camel hair brushes: Belonging to the soft hair oil painting brush category, predominantly used for covering colors. Synthetic hair brushes simulate the properties of high-grade brushes like Sable or Badger hair. Various shapes can be created, offering both soft color blending and detailed painting capabilities. However, they should not be soaked in water as their hair easily deforms when immersed.

(2) Shape and Function:

1. Round brushes: The oldest type of oil painting brush, featuring a blunt tip for producing smooth, round strokes. Small round brushes are ideal for outlining, and using the side can create extensive soft color blending or be employed in pointillism.

2. Flat brushes: Flat-head oil painting brushes emerged in the 19th century. They create broad, sweeping strokes and rough lines when using the flat side. Rotating the brush can produce uneven strokes.

3. Filbert brushes: Combining the characteristics of a round and flat head, also known as "cat's tongue brushes." These brushes are elegant and smooth but challenging to control. Ideal for creating curved strokes.

4. Fan brushes: A new specialized oil painting brush, featuring sparse, flat bristles. Used for light sweeping and brushing in wet techniques or softening overly defined contours. Preferred by artists favoring thin painting techniques. Keeping the fan brush clean is essential for its agility.

How to Hold Oil Painting Brushes and Use a Palette:

The artist's hand, wrist, and arm should naturally extend while painting. When detailing, gripping the front of the brush handle is common, while for covering larger areas, gripping the brush's end is advisable.

Six specific brush-holding methods exist:

1. Thin paint application method: Lightly gripping the brush's end for delicate strokes, commonly used for adjusting color tones.

2. Conventional holding method: Gripping the brush handle's middle with fingers.

3. Holding the brush with the palm.

4. In dry or original techniques, the brush is gripped within the palm, aligning the brush handle almost parallel to the canvas. This method requires some arm strength.

5. Ideal for intricate detailing, gripping the brush near the ferrule with fingers, especially suitable for using small sable brushes for detailed work.

6. Slightly distancing the finger grip from the metal ferrule, allowing easier brush movement. This method is common in pointillism, enabling both pointed brushwork and side brushwork.

Maintaining Oil Painting Brushes:

Oil painting brushes comprise three parts: the handle, metal ferrule, and hair. The brush's hair quality is crucial, and proper maintenance prolongs its lifespan. Brushes should be promptly cleaned after use to prevent pigments from drying on the hair.

If not used for an extended period, thorough cleaning and storing wrapped in paper are recommended.

In this intricate dance between artist, creation, and audience, art becomes a timeless conversation that transcends boundaries and speaks to the soul. It's a beautiful symphony of expression, connecting hearts and minds across the expanse of human experience.