1 Small brushes
Rub the bristles of new brushes in the palm of your hand to dislodge any dust and loose bristles. Start at the top of a wall in the corner and 'cut in' the edge using a small brush. A wide brush won't fit easily into the angle and it's harder to keep a straight edge. If you are right-handed, work from right to left, if left-handed, work from left to right, and apply the paint in vertical strokes overlapped with horizontal ones. Work in an area approximately 1m sq. (lsq.yd), keeping a wet edge at all times.
2 Using a brush
You can hold the brush in any way that is comfortable, but professionals use the 'pen grip'. Hold the handle like a pen between your thumb and forefinger, your other fingers gripping the side of the metal ferrule while your thumb rests on the other side. Apply emulsion paint in vertical strokes, then spread it at right angles to even out the coverage. Emulsion dries without visible brush strokes, but oil-based paints don't, so finish off each section with light, vertical strokes.
3 Using a paint pad
Paint pads need to be loaded with paint from their own special tray so that you always pick up an even amount of paint. To apply the paint in a continuous cover, keep the pad flat against the wall and sweep it gently across using even strokes in any direction: criss-crossing strokes are good for emulsion paints while for oil paints, end the sweep with an upwards stroke to prevent streaks.
4 Using a roller
Rollers apply paint to walls and ceilings much faster than a brush and are ideal for covering large areas. Choose your roller carefully as there are different 'sleeves' to suit different types of paint. Shaggy, long-haired and sheepskin rollers are best for textured walls while fine, foam rollers produce smooth, even finishes. Dip the roller into the reservoir in the tray and roll it gently on the ridged section to ensure an even 'pick up'. Use zigzag strokes in all directions to cover the surface and watch that you don't let the roller spin away from the wall at the end of a stroke otherwise you'll end up splattering paint on the floor and adjacent walls. Cover walls by working in small, manageable sections and keeping wet edges. You'll still need to 'cut in' corners with a small brush, however, as a roller will not reach right into the angle.
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