| There are three standards for brushes to be
used with water
color: A great point, to ensure
accurate delivery of the color Excellent snap and spring, always bringing the brush back to its ideal
shape. Great snap translates
into great control. Flow control, to ensure that the color flows from the brush to the
surface evenly and dependably.
When it comes to meeting those three standards, the best brush on the
planet is made from natural sable hair. Sable offers a rapier-like point, and
just-right snap. The brush holds
an amazing volume of color, and delivers it with unparalleled evenness and control.
A fine sable brush, at a value price is the Winsor & Newton
‘Cirrus.’ The ‘Squirrel’ Mop brush is outstanding for large, flowing washes of
color. Brushes made from synthetic filaments can offer excellent performance at
an affordable price. They don’t
offer quite the same degree of flow control, but the spring and point can be
excellent. Brushes made from a blend of synthetic filament and natural sable hair
(like the Winsor & Newton Sceptre Gold) combine many of the advantages of
both. A blended brush offers
fine flow control (characteristic of sable hair) in combination with the durability
and lower cost of synthetics. Always store your brushes head (or tuft) up. Never leave them resting in your water
jar head down; they’ll emerge damaged and misshapen. Never wash natural hair brushes in hot water; it will strip the oil from
the hair. Always wash your brushes after use with a cleaner designed to condition
and maintain the hair or filament.
The "92 Incredible Things to Know
About Art Materials" Guide was developed in cooperation with Winsor
& Newton and with Liquitex Artists' Acrylics. Reprinted with
permission. | |
