Q: I sometimes get raised areas-points made of paint-on my
paintings where I don't want them. Can I scrape these areas down with a
pocket knife and the polish them with a burnisher?
A: These points or peaks are most likely the result of the
way you apply thicker paint to the canvas and remove the brush. The
best remedy is to avoid creating them altogether if possible, which can
be accomplished by not removing the brush from the canvas at a
ninety-degree angle. Instead, lift the brush off the canvas in the
direction of the stroke. If at times you are unable to do this and a
peak appears, eliminate the peak by flattening it with an unloaded
brush while the paint is still wet.