Artist-type handle are made of seasoned hardwood, lathe shaped and properly balanced to give you the most comfortable grip. The pores of the wood are sealed and several coats of lacquer are applied to give the handle a polished high gloss finish.

Taped handles are made of seasoned hardwood dowels and tapered both ends, They are either finely sanded plain wood or finished with several coats of varnish or enamel. Some brushes have moulded, plastic handles instead of wood.

The Ferrule
This is the tapered metal tube that holds the brush hair filaments. Ferrules are made of different materials – aluminium, nickel, copper and nickel-plated. Seamless nickel-plated ferrules will usually appear shinier, with darker tone than aluminium.

Aluminium ferrules are seamless and polished
Copper ferrules are seamless, polished and varnished to prevent tarnishing.
Nickel ferrules are seamless, polished nickel-plated brass
Nickel-plated ferrules are made of nickel-plated steel and spot-welded (rust proof).

The Brush Head
Brush heads can be constructed in many shapes and various filaments. There is an almost limitless choice available to artists but in principle hair type is divided into three groups – soft hair, hog bristle and synthetic.

Soft hair brushes are manufactured using sable, squirrel, ox hair, pony, goat and badger.
Hog brushes are manufactured from various qualities of hog bristle, either bleached or unbleached.
Synthetic brushes are made of special multi-diameter extruded nylon filament.

Ox hair – Often known as sabeline, ox hair provides reasonably good flow control but lacks durability and snap. It is economic and sometimes mixed with more expensive brush filaments.

Camel hair – Not taken from the camel, this is a generic term for many types of less expensive hair that are dyed to a pleasing colour. Camel hair could mean ox – hair, goat or ring cat.

Hog bristle – Bristles are far stiffer and stronger than soft hair filaments. Every bristle has a split end and oil or acrylic colour sits between the division. Hog hair is plentiful and generally used in the production of industrial brushes and brooms. It is available in lengths of up 8 inches long.

Pony hair – is obtained from pony hides. It ranges in colour from light to dark brown, is straight and soft but does not have the fine points which distinguish squirrel hair does.

Squirrel hair - This offers excellent flow control with a good point, but not to the degree expected from the genuine Kolinsky or red sable.

Synthetic hair – In recent years, synthetic hair filaments have become generally excepted as an excellent alternative to natural hair. The best synthetic brushes are constructed using a mixture of filament diameters to achieve the flow of colour from the brush to substrate. The spaces between the shafts of hair hold the colour, which is displaced by the air when being used. Taklon and Golden Nylon are among the more popular choices of synthetic hair.

Brush Care

For best results, keep a separate set of brushes for water-based paints and oils. Even if you wish to use the same type of brush for both media. Oil paints and the solvents used to clean them often act as repellents to water and water based products.

It is essential that brushes are thoroughly cleaned after each painting session. Following a few simple rules will pro long the life of any brush.

• Wipe off excess paint using a piece of rag or soft tissue.
• Ensure the colour or medium is not forced into the ferrule.
• Rinse the brush in the appropriate solvent (water or turpentine)
• Gently wash in warm and a small quantity of mild soap (not detergent) until any trace of the original colour remains.
• Rinse in clean warm water.
• Gently shape the brush head between your fingers
• Natural bristle brushes may be softened in a rinse of hair conditioner.
• Badly stained brushes may be cleaned with propriety nappy bleach.
• Allow to dry naturally at room temperature without resting the brush on the head.

Note:

• Excessive hot water will remove natural oils from the natural filaments.
• Never use excessive pressure to remove colour from the brush head.
• Misshapen synthetic filaments can often be reshaped by soaking in very hot (not boiling) water.
• Acrylics & Watercolour - Never allow paint to dry on the brush.  Keep wet between use but never leave sitting in water. Wash thoroughly and rinse with luke warm water.

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