Sunday 14 March 2010

Let's talk about the product: Paintbrushes PART 1

A^ny artist needs paintbrushes, no matter if she paints wonderful country scenes or just messes around in her art journal.There are so many brushes out there, by the time you have finshied reading this post , you will know which one is for you.So let's get started. Paintbrushes can be made from many diffrent knids of hairs, this will effect the way the paintbrush will work for you:
  • Kolinsky sable: Is a harsh climated region of southern Siberia. This paintbrush is very strong, but still supple and springy.
  • Red/Pure sable: Made from selected Kolinsky hairs, these brushes keep the springyness of Kolinsky but add there own softness to the paintbrush.Ideal for painting detaIL.
  • Squirrel Hair: Cheap, but don't point well and have little resistence. But this may be perfect for painting backgrounds.
  • Oxhair and goathair: Sturdy brushes but do not point well.these brushes are strong making them great for ruffer treatment such as drybrushing.
  • Synthetic fibers: hold less colour than real hair, making them cheaper.

There are also a huge variaty of combo brushes, these combine two or more of the hairs above.

CARE OF BRUSHES: This is very important, if you treat your brushes well they will work better for longer.if you do not, hairs may fall out, points broken or all the hairs stuck together in a gewy mush! So here are some top care tips:

  • Keep tehm in a box or stand them up in a jar so that the points to not get ruined.
  • Wash after use.First rinse the colour out a bit, then mush the hairs into soap and work it in with your fingers.
  • Clean tha handle to
  • Moisten brushes before use or else a film of paint will build up , which kills paintbrushes.
  • Do not leave in water for to long or the hairs will become distoreted and the paintbrush handle paint will flake off.

More in part 2

1 comment:

  1. they make brushes from squirrel hair?! fascinating!

    ReplyDelete