Brush brands

[Michele Rushworth]

I wanted to share my experience with two brands of brushes over the years, one very high priced and one at the other end of the scale. I often believe you get what you pay for but this doesn't seem to be the case here.

About a year ago I bought a set of a dozen or more Silver brushes, which is often touted as the top brand. The sables lost hairs right from the start and I ended up throwing them out, sometimes the very first time I used them, since the stray hairs kept getting in my painting. The Silver bristle brushes seemed to be no better than other brands.

On the other hand are the synthetic brushes from http://www.Trekell.com -- very low priced, never lose hairs, a joy to paint with and they ship them to you almost immediately. Thanks to Bill Whitaker for recommending them several years ago. They've been my main source of brushes ever since then.

[Richard Bingham]

I wish someone "in the know" would either confirm or allay my suspicions re/ brushes.

As we know (or should realize) the art supplies market is miniscule compared with most any segment of industry or trade, so ready supply, economics and convenience dictate what filters into this niche. The problem of obtaining really good supplies is further compounded by the fact that 80% (or more) of all art supplies sold are purchased by hobbyists and casual users more concerned with price than performance. (fair enough, they're not knowledgeable enough to recognize "great" quality anyway).

Good brushes have become increasingly harder to find in the past 10-15 years since computers supplanted hand-work in production of commercial sign work especially. Comparing the makers' benchmarks in several top tier lines, I'd hazard that Silver's Grand Prix are currently being made by the same folks who were supplying Blick's Masterstroke line a few years ago. Trusted "brand names" have not been directly involved in the production of their brushes for some time now. The "names" get their brushes where they can get 'em at best advantage.

Lower priced synthetic hair brushes are more likely to be consistent good quality because it's unlikely there are more than a few mfgrs. of monofilament, and the stuff is used for everything from mosquito netting to fishing line.

Across the board, I've foundTrekell's brushes of all types to be good quality and very reasonably priced. As of this writing, their sables are superlative. (I hope that doesn't change anytime soon)

[Alexandra Tyng]

Actually I had the same disappointing experience with Silver Brush brushes, not the sables, but the white kind.They lost their shape and got very dry and stiff after a short time. I threw them out finally, feeling very guilty that I had spent so much money.

My favorite brushes turned out to be Monarchs made by Winsor & Newton. They are a synthetic that feels about halfway between sable and bristle. They are relatively soft, like sable, but more springy. I like them for smaller strokes and I use the filberts and flats. They keep their shape well if you take good care of them.

I also like the large flat brushes by Utrecht--#s 18, 11 and 10. They have a beige handle, whitish bristles and are called "Utrecht Finest Interlocked."

I haven't yet tried Trekell--thanks for the recommendation.

[Terri Ficenec]

Michele-- Thanks for posting this! I haven't tried the Trekell, but will now.

Alex-- I've had several Monarchs for years now. . . Gotta admit I haven't take very good care of them-- was using them for acrylics way back when so they no longer hold a point and are sort of old and bushy. . . but they are my favorite blending/pouncing brushes. They've taken years of abuse and none of them has ever lost a hair. Can't remember what they were like when they were new though!

[Paul Foxton]

Here's another vote for the Monarchs, I use the filberts mostly. They are a synthetic version of mongoose brushes, mongoose hair being used for exactly the properties you describe Alex, more springy than a sable but softer than a hog. Apparently mongoose is an endangered species now so W&N came up with a synthetic equivalent.

I did track down some real mongoose hair brushes at Cornelissen's - http://www.cornelissen.co.uk - and, although I like them too, they're generally shorter than the monarchs. I feel a bit guilty about the mongooses (mongeese?) too.

Otherwise, I've found Pro Arte to be not worth bothering with, likewise Cirrus sables. Cornelissen do their own sables and hogs along with Roberson brushes of both types, all of which I've found to be very good, they keep their shape and don't loose hairs.

[Julie Deane]

Even Trekell isn't perfect. I bought a batch of sables from them a few years ago, and one of them fell off the handle - the whole thing! I patched it up with hot glue, cause it wasn't worth sending back for a replacement. Most of them have been fine, though.

Ruby Satin brushes are also very nice - for the same reason given as the Monarchs.

[Richard Bingham]

Originally Posted by Julie Deane

Even Trekell isn't perfect . . .

Gosh, I hope I didn't give the impression I thought they were. Truth is, thebest brushes now available are a sorry lot compared to what was available even 20 years ago.

I'll pass along these tips for brush care, knowing some may disagree, and others will have their own "cures".

1. After a painting session, thoroughly rinse your brushes in kerosene . Yeah, it stinks. It's also a mild solvent that is the most penetrating, and is excellent for dissolving the oils, resins and varnishes commonly used in oil painting. MS, OMS are OK, but not as penetrating, beware harsh solvents like lacquer thinner, acetone, or "hotter" solvents such as xylene or commercial reducers.

2. Immediately wash your brushes in tepid water with a good castile soap. Kirk's, or Ivory are good, I like Fels-Naptha. Some of the "special" brush soaps sold by art supply makers are also very good, especially SP's "Ugly Dog".

3. Work lather into the heel of the brush. The best way is to grab the tip of the brush hairs, and gently rotate the ferrule. This cleans paint and residues from the heel of the brush, where buildup eventually ends up splaying the hairs and ruining the action.

4. Squeeze the water from the brush, and use a thick, pasty conditioner, the kind they advertise on TV for beautiful, lustrous hair and healing split ends, and re-shape the brush to its original form.

5. Put the brushes in a jar or vase bristles-up to air-dry.

Bill whitaker advised the use of hair conditioners at his workshop in Scottsdale last April, and since then, I've found it to be really, really good for my brushes. Naturally, conditioner isn't going to do synthetic hair any good . . .

[Julie Deane]

That's okay, Richard. That's not what I meant.

Escoda brushes are luscious too and appear to be of very high quality. Wish I could afford more of them.

[Sharon Knettell]

Richard,

Thank-you again for your valuable technical information. You are a gem.

However you make me feel guilty about how I treat my brushes, I should be brought up on cruelty charges.

I am also a brush junkie. There are brushes you have not mentioned. The Raphaels.

They have a series 8772 filbert brush, which they call Kevrin. I think it is mongoose, whatever. It is not as soft as a sable, which is too floppy, and not as rough as a bristle. It can make quite a sharp edge and is really great for the more delicate facial areas. They are quite reasonable as well.

The second brush in my repertoire is the fabulous bristle series 3577. It is a short filbert. It is a straightened bristle, no curves on the end. It gives you great control on the larger areas.

For more swishy areas, I love the 3577, also a straightened bristle filbert but longer. It also has great control, but filled with paint it is great for those dashing and virtuoso effects we long for.

They are great and reliable workhorses.

I get them at the www.italianartstore.com

[Marcus Lim]

I was just wondering if anyone use the "Ferrari of paintbrushes" - the Da Vinci brand brushes? I came across them while travelling Down Under, and they cost a whopping 50 bucks for a large size 12 brush!
I wonder if they are really as good as the price hyped up to be...