Brush Basics
Brush
Filaments
Kolinsky:
Kolinsky sable brushes are the finest available. Made from the
tail of a type of mink found in remote parts of Russia and northern
China, Kolinsky hair is unsurpassed in its spring, and Kolinsky sable
brushes set the standard by which all other brushes are judged.
Red
Sable: These brushes are made from any red haired critter
in the weasel family. Quality varies greatly, but generally sable creates
wonderfully smooth flat strokes with lots of spring. Red sable brushes
hold their natural shape well and will carry ample amounts of pigments.
Sabeline:
Sabeline is a high quality ox hair sometimes dyed to look like
red sable. Sabeline brushes are less expensive than red sables and maintain
similar characteristics.
Ox Hair: Ox hair comes from the rim of the ears from
several varieties of cattle and boar. Ox hair brushes are soft and hold
plenty of liquid but lack a fine tip.
Bristle:
Bristle brushes are noticeably stiffer than other brush families and
are popular for oil painting. Made from pig and boar hair, the natural
tip of each hair is forked and split like a twig. Because of this, these
brushes hold paint well but challenge the making of a sharp edge.
Camel
Hair: Despite its name, camel hair does not come from
camel. The name actually refers to a range of squirrel, goat or pony
hair. The soft hairs of camel brushes will absorb a lot of liquid but
can be difficult to control. Some camel hair brushes are categorized
as school grade and are extremely affordable.
Synthetics:
Today’s technology has given us many types of synthetic
brushes, most nylon or polyester, which simulate the natural characteristics
of hair. Synthetic brushes are usually less expensive, easier to clean
and less prone to breakage than natural hair. Blends of natural and
synthetic hairs are also available, combining the softness and absorbency
of natural hairs with the point and spring of synthetics.
Kolinsky:
Kolinsky sable brushes are the finest available. Made from the
tail of a type of mink found in remote parts of Russia and northern
China, Kolinsky hair is unsurpassed in its spring, and Kolinsky sable
brushes set the standard by which all other brushes are judged.Red
Sable: These brushes are made from any red haired critter
in the weasel family. Quality varies greatly, but generally sable creates
wonderfully smooth flat strokes with lots of spring. Red sable brushes
hold their natural shape well and will carry ample amounts of pigments.Sabeline:
Sabeline is a high quality ox hair sometimes dyed to look like
red sable. Sabeline brushes are less expensive than red sables and maintain
similar characteristics.
Ox Hair: Ox hair comes from the rim of the ears from
several varieties of cattle and boar. Ox hair brushes are soft and hold
plenty of liquid but lack a fine tip. Bristle:
Bristle brushes are noticeably stiffer than other brush families and
are popular for oil painting. Made from pig and boar hair, the natural
tip of each hair is forked and split like a twig. Because of this, these
brushes hold paint well but challenge the making of a sharp edge.Camel
Hair: Despite its name, camel hair does not come from
camel. The name actually refers to a range of squirrel, goat or pony
hair. The soft hairs of camel brushes will absorb a lot of liquid but
can be difficult to control. Some camel hair brushes are categorized
as school grade and are extremely affordable.Synthetics:
Today’s technology has given us many types of synthetic
brushes, most nylon or polyester, which simulate the natural characteristics
of hair. Synthetic brushes are usually less expensive, easier to clean
and less prone to breakage than natural hair. Blends of natural and
synthetic hairs are also available, combining the softness and absorbency
of natural hairs with the point and spring of synthetics. Anatomy
of a Sable Brush
Real sable hairs taper from the base, swelling into a belly and then to
a fine microscopic point. When they are set into a ferrule after the usual
washing and bundling, their natural curve brings them together in a point.
The top edge of a the ferrule must be correctly placed to contact the
bundle of hairs near the belly of each hair. This placement is crucial
if the brush is to have and retain its characteristic spring.
Real sable hairs taper from the base, swelling into a belly and then to
a fine microscopic point. When they are set into a ferrule after the usual
washing and bundling, their natural curve brings them together in a point.
The top edge of a the ferrule must be correctly placed to contact the
bundle of hairs near the belly of each hair. This placement is crucial
if the brush is to have and retain its characteristic spring.