Exercise: Forget the Brushes—This One’s All Toothpick
Every now and then, it’s good to shake things up and see what your tools can really do. Today, we’re putting all the fancy brushes away and picking up one of my all-time favorite tools: the humble toothpick.
🦷 That’s right. Just a toothpick and some bleach.
This was kind of an experiment for me—I've used toothpicks for years to add fine details, dotted textures, and broken lines to almost every shirt I paint. But I’ve never built an entire design with one… until now.
🎥 This is an exercise post! If you want to see how I tackled a whole design using only a toothpick, scroll down to watch the full video.
🧪 What You’ll Need:
- Undiluted Bleach – I used bleach at full strength (3.5% active chlorine). This gives strong contrast and clear reaction time, but be careful—there’s no room for layering mistakes!
- Wooden Toothpicks – Round ones with a decent point work best. Bring extras—tips wear down fast.
- Black or Dark Fabric – I used a dark shirt for that bright contrast.
- Gloves + Mask – Always protect yourself when working with bleach.
Keep these things in mind:
1: Use the Toothpick Like a Sketching Tool
🎨 The best part of this exercise? You get an ink-sketch style finish that feels hand-drawn and spontaneous.
Here’s how different motions affect your line:
- Straight Up (90°) – Gives you clear dots and clean, tight marks.
- Slight Tilt – Creates textured lines that feel more dynamic.
- Side Drag (Flat Angle) – This is where it gets fun. You’ll get rough, shaded areas with a dry-brush effect—perfect for building depth in clouds, shadows, or fur-like texture.
In my design, I used all three to create contrast between the bold moon and the soft, curling clouds.
2: Vary Your Speed
Line quality depends heavily on how fast you move:
-
Slow + Steady = Bold, Solid Lines
Let the bleach settle. These lines will develop quickly and strongly. -
Quick Flick = Wispy, Textured Marks
Great for subtle details like stars, fog, or distant edges.
⚠️ Don’t press hard! If you push the toothpick into the fabric, it can snag and damage the weave. Light pressure and patience go a long way.
3: So… Can You Really Do a Whole Design This Way?
Here’s the honest truth: I love what came out of this exercise.
💭 The sketchbook feel, the soft textures, the way the bleach reacts differently with every stroke—it all gives the piece this raw, celestial energy I’m obsessed with.
But... I don’t think the toothpick can carry a whole design in every situation. For pieces with more structure or sharp outlines, I still think starting with a fine brush would help. The toothpick is amazing for texture and detail—but limited for large-scale planning.
🔍 Try This:
- Practice line speed on a fabric scrap before starting your final design.
- Combine different angles in one area to build textured shading.
- Try using the toothpick for only the highlights or details on your next piece and compare the feel.
💬 Let me know what you think! Did the texture surprise you? Did you find a new way to hold or move the toothpick? I’d love to see your results—post your experiments or tag me if you try it out.
⚠️ Bleach Safety Reminder
Undiluted bleach is potent. Always work in a ventilated area, wear gloves and a mask, and never mix it with other chemicals. Rinse your fabric well after you’re done to stop the reaction.
🎥 Watch the full process below and paint along if you want to give your toothpick a starring role!