Objective: apply Christmas lights to Christmas tree earrings

Which of the following solutions is more sound in terms of naive physics reasoning?

Options:
[a]. pour a teaspoon of red paint into a disposable bowl, dip a small paint brush tip into the paint, dab the paint in areas all over the tree, let paint dry overnight.
[b]. pour a teaspoon of red paint into a disposable bowl, dip a large paint brush tip into the paint, dab the paint in areas all over the tree, let paint dry overnight.
[a].