Excellant thread. To help with continuity (same pattern on multiple arrows), you can tape a peice of paper on the base of the crester. Put a fold in it so the paper comes up along the back of the arrow as close as you can get it without it touching. Use a pencil and mark lines and colors. Each shaft you put in the crester will line up and you get identical patterns. Keep the template in a file if it is an exceptionally good pattern.

A clear coat over the finished crest helps protect it longer. One can do some really cool stuff with colored permenant markers in lieu of paint, or in addition to it, though it will smear generally if you dip in clear coat afterwards--thoughthat creates a cool effect in of itself.

As stated above, thin the paint, and the higher quality the brush, the better the application. There is a reason why an artist might pay $15.00 for the higher grade thin camel hair brush. If you clean the brushes well after use, they last a long time.

The indians (native americans for the PC) used to often customize their arrows. It is relaxing to do and another activity to add to the hunting experience...