To paint “purists,” neither a paint sprayer nor a paint roller can quite achieve the quality finish that a good paintbrush can. If you fall into this category and are planning to paint a large surface, there are a few techniques that can help you achieve the best results.

After cutting in the edges, work in sections about 3 feet square. Hold the brush so that your thumb rests on one side of the ferrule (the metal strip that connects the bristles to the handle) and your four fingers are spread evenly on the other side. Unlike holding the brush by the handle, this allows you to control the angle of the brush without having to change position.

Apply the paint smoothly over the first section, holding the brush at a 45-degree angle. When you get to the end of a stroke, let up on the pressure, and then reverse direction. Paint back into the wet edge to prevent lap marks. When you have finished a section, paint the section into the previous one to blend them.

If you are using paint that has a glossy finish, complete your strokes away from the room’s main source of light as the tiny marks a brush leaves will be noticeable if they are toward the light. By the same principle, paint in the direction of wood grain, not against it. You can also diminish brush marks by very lightly running the brush, unloaded, over each section before it dries.