Perhaps its that I haven't used the right phrases but I haven't been able to find not only a solution to my issue, I haven't been able to see the issue raised at all.
In texture paint mode the paint is projected from the viewport through the brush. This has been an entirely unworkable process for me, Every stroke I make has unintended consequences - jagged edges, projected silhouettes... Instead of projecting the painted area based brush bound by the view, is there a way for the brush to essentially be anchored to the topology of the mesh, such that the brush literally serves to isolate geometry to work upon, rather than project from the view axis onto the mesh.
A line drawn from left to right, slight feathering
Hitting the edge of geometry from one view always leads to sharp, hideous edges etc etc etc
Like I say, I haven't seen anyone else post about this. I don't understand why, it's not workable for making a base coat never mind finer details
...appreciations and props to whoever points out the inevitably obvious setting I've missed, or first git gud post