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Water Marble Kit | BKIT-04
BKIT-04
Regular price $486.85/
Shipping calculated at checkout.
This is our most popular marble kit because of it's balance and variety of specialty brushes. A must have for the serious marbelizer. While using today's thicker water mediums, have what you need to complete all of the most demanded faux marble. From White Carrera and Yellow Sienna, to Seagreen and Rouge Royal, be prepared to conquer any project. These are the brushes you've seen Pierre use in his informative demo's or classes. Get started today with this extensive kit.
This kit contains 15 brushes.
Save 10% discount on all kits and sets.
Kit includes:
- MB-01 Wire-Tied Veining Brush (Bordeaux Nylon) size 4 & 6
- MB-02 Wire Tied Veining Brush (Bristle) size 4
- MB-03 Wire-Tied Veining Brush (Samina Nylon) size 8
- MB-05 Two-Header Pointed Brecher Brush (Samina Nylon) size 0
- MB-09 Chiqueteur size 8
- MB-10 Round Badger Softener
- MB-11 3-Tip Pencil Veiner (Samina Nylon)
- MB-12 Mini Flat Spalter Brush size 20
- MB-13 Tooth Onyx Brush
- MB-14 Long Brecher Brush (Samina Nylon) size 00
- GLZ-41 PRO Pointed Glazing Brush (Bristle, Nylon) size 000, 8
- GLZ-16 Spattering Brush
- TL-10 Long Filbert Striping Brush (Bordeaux Nylon) size 6
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
| Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
|---|---|---|
| Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
| Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
Badger Softener | GLZ-15
GLZ-15_Size-02
Regular price Sale price $80.25/
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Our classic hand mounted badger brush is made out of the finest grouping of water badger hair. Stay clear of the 'BAD'-ger impostor whose hair is made out of goat hair that has been dipped into black paint to look like a real badger. Stiffer hair is good for softening and easier to clean as you go.
- 3/4 inch thick, hand selected badger hair, which repels water
- Resists fanning out with overuse
- Best used with thin reversible water mediums (i.e. gouache, beer glaze)
- Size 2 best for smoothing intricate surfaces
- Size 4 is the universal size - best for faux marble/woodgraining
- Size 6 the best for your largest smoothing job - amazingly productive brush!
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
| SIZE | BRUSH LENGTH | FERRULE WIDTH | FERRULE LENGTH |
HAIR LENGTH |
| 2 | 8.38"/ 21.3cm | .8" / 20mm | 2.2" / 55mm | 2.6" / 65mm |
| 4 | 10.6" / 26.8cm | .8" / 20mm | 4.1" / 104mm | 2.7"/ 69mm |
| 6 | .8" / 20mm | 6.3" / 160mm | 2.7" / 69mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
|
HAIR TYPE |
Badger |
|
BRUSH HOLD |
Conductor's Hold |
|
USAGE |
Softening |
|
MEDIUM |
Water |
|
FERRULE |
Wood |
|
HANDLE |
Wooden round medium |
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
| Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
|---|---|---|
| Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
| Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
PRO Domed Glazing Brush (Bluetop) | GLZ-34
GLZ-34_Size-02
Regular price Sale price $15.50/
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Our BLUETOP PRO SERIES DOMED glazing (sash) brushes have a classic round shape for ultimate paint medium dispersion. It is used to apply glaze, paint, wax, and thin textures. Use like a standard paint brush or scrubbing motion.
- PRO SERIES: Premier quality hairs, varnished wood handle, competitively priced
- See also: BLUETOP ECONOMY SERIES
- Bristle versions: ULTIMATE BRISTLE, PRO BRISTLE and ECONOMY BRISTLE SERIES.
- The DOMED shape is best for maximum coverage of surfaces. See also pointed glazing brush.
- Rounded for ultimate medium dispersion (learn more)
- Brush hold: Pencil Hold, Drummer's Hold
- Tin ferrule with varnished long wooden handle
- Brush care: Wash thoroughly with soap, shape or hang to dry
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
| SIZE | BRUSH LENGTH | FERRULE WIDTH | HAIR LENGTH |
| 2 | 12" / 30.5cm | .86" / 22mm | 2.5" / 64mm |
| 4 | 12.3" / 31.2cm | 1" / 26mm | 2.5" / 64mm |
| 6 | 12.9" / 32.8cm | 1.2" / 29mm | 2.8" / 72mm |
| 8 | 13.3" / 33.8cm | 1.3" / 33mm | 3.1" / 78mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
|
HAIR TYPE |
Bluetop synthetic fiber |
|
USAGE |
Application of varnish, paint, glaze medium; stippling |
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
| Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
|---|---|---|
| Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
| Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
Original Domed Glazing Brush (Bristle, Nylon) | GLZ-01D
GLZ-01D_Size-04
Regular price $23.50 Sale price $21.15 Save $2.35/
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Our domed water glazer is the work horse of decorative painting. This is our highest level of quality. This is a modern replica of the classic full bristle version.
- Hand-shaped with select bristle fibers
- Premium stainless steel ferrule with hand-tied string
- Sealed handle for longevity
- Nylon synthetic fiber with 60% natural bristle
- Slightly domed shape for full coverage
- Rounded for ultimate medium dispersion (learn more)
- Brush 'springs' into action (learn more)
- Perfect for 'breaking up the glaze'
- Large size can glaze an entire wall with speed
- Application/Usage: applying glaze and basecoat; stippling; adding texture
- Preferred Medium: Water
- Brush Ferrule/Handle: Tin, wooden round long
- Brush Hold: Pencil Hold, Drummer's Hold
- Hair Length: 2-3" (60-72mm)
- Dia./width: .5-1.25" (25-32mm)
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
| Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
|---|---|---|
| Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
| Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
Long Brecher Brush (Samina Nylon) | MB-14
MB-14_Size-00
Regular price Sale price $19.25/
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Use this brecher, [breh-sher] to create thin line fragments to thick veins with a flick of the wrist. Available in 3 sizes.
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
|
SIZE |
BRUSH LENGTH |
FERRULE WIDTH |
FERRULE LENGTH |
HAIR LENGTH |
|
00 |
12.3" / 31.2cm | 0.2"/7mm | 0.2"/6mm |
1.6"/43mm |
|
2 |
12.9" / 32.7cm | 0.3"/10mm | 0.3"/10mm | 2"/51mm |
|
3 |
12.8" / 32.6cm | 0.4"/11mm | 0.4"/11mm | 2.1"/55mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
|
HAIR TYPE |
Samina |
|
BRUSH HOLD |
Conductor's Hold, Drummer's Hold |
|
USAGE |
Breche marble; bathing |
|
MEDIUM |
Water |
|
FERRULE |
Quill |
|
HANDLE |
Wooden round long |
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
| Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
|---|---|---|
| Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
| Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
Economy Pointed Glazing Brush (Bristle, Nylon) | GLZ-43
GLZ-43_Size-02
Regular price Sale price $8.55/
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Our ECONOMY SERIES POINTED glazing (sash) brushes have a classic round shape for ultimate paint medium dispersion. It is used to apply glaze, paint, wax, and thin textures. Use like a standard paint brush or scrubbing motion.
- ECONOMY SERIES: consistant quality hair, lightweight plastic handle, low price
- See other levels: ULTIMATE and PRO SERIES
- and our BLUETOP PRO and BLUETOP ECONOMY SERIES.
- The POINTED shape is best for maximum control of paint medium. See also: domed glazing brush
- Rounded for ultimate medium dispersion (learn more)
- Tin ferrule with varnished long plastic handle
- Brush hold: Pencil Hold, Drummer's Hold
- Brush care: Wash thoroughly with soap, shape or hang to dry
SIZE TRANSLATIONS
|
SIZE |
BRUSH LENGTH |
FERRULE WIDTH |
FERRULE LENGTH |
HAIR LENGTH |
|
2 |
10.5" / 26.6cm | 0.8"/21mm | 0.8"/21mm | 2.2"/56mm |
|
4 |
10.8" / 27.5cm | 0.9"/25mm | 0.9"/25mm | 2.3"/59mm |
|
6 |
11.6" / 29.5cm | 1.1"/29mm | 1.1"/30mm | 2.5"/65mm |
BRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
|
HAIR TYPE |
Natural Bristle / Nylon blend |
|
USAGE |
Application of varnish, paint, glaze medium |
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
| Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
|---|---|---|
| Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
| Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
Veining Fundamentals Class Kit | BKIT-13
BKIT-13
Regular price $50.75 Sale price $40.60 Save $10.15/
Shipping calculated at checkout.
This Veining kit is perfect for practicing during our online class Faux Marble Veining Fundamentals but can be used whenever you want to practice your sketching in a sustainable way.
This kit contains 5 brushes and Brush Paper
Save $10.15 with our 20% discount
Kit includes:
- GLZ-20 Corner Touch Up Brush (Bristle) size 8
- MB-16 Economy Veining Brush (Bristle) size 4
- TL-16 Acryl'Art Filbert Brush (Bordeaux Nylon) size 6 OR size 8
- TL-18 Acryl'Art Detail Point Brush (Bordeaux Nylon) size 4
- TL-20 Chunking Filbert Brush (Bristle) size 4
- 1 sheet of Brush Paper 13" x 18" (Can be mounted on a wooden board with spray adhesive for easy use)
How-To Brush Care Guide
Prepare your brushes for their first use - read below.
Most of our large and fine hair brushes are hand-set and made with different hairs that are tapped in a small copper cylinder before being glued into the ferrule. This is why some of the hairs are not properly affixed to the ferrule, so the brush will shed some hair the first few times you will use it.
Thick hair: examples are; badger, hog (china bristle), horse hair
Fine hair: examples are sable; squirrel, goat, skunk (fine, thin short hair)
Synthetic Fiber: examples are; taklon, samina, bordeaux, synthetic bristle
To minimize brush shedding, you should:
- Wash the brush thoroughly with a mild dish soap in warm water and massage the hair to comb out the loose bristles. Rinse until there is no soap residue left in the brush.
- Ring the brush out by rolling it between your hands as if you were trying to make a fire with a stick to fluff out the brush.
- Let dry by hanging the brushes or lay it down at the edge of a table (a hog bristle will have a strong odor due to the bone glue used to attach the bristles. This will go away after a few washings.)
Repeat this process a few more times.
All acrylic glazes contain some sort of ammonia which attacks the structure of the natural hair. Therefore, brush maintenance and thorough repetitive cleaning as described in step 1, 2, & 3 is imperative to protect and extend the life of your brush.
Applying a few drops of ‘leave in’ conditioner is also a good idea if you’re not going to be using your brush for some time.
Dried Paint: If some acrylic glaze becomes hardened on the brush, start by removing the heaviest part with denatured alcohol then rinse with water and coat the hairs with Murphy’s Oil Soap and leave for several hours. Apply the steps again from 1, 2, & 3 so the paint will brush out easily and leave your brush as good as new. Be careful as soap left too long in the natural hair will deteriorate the flexibility of the hair.
Proper cleaning procedure
for oil/water and large or small brushes:
| Oil Medium | Water Medium | |
|---|---|---|
| Large Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Wash brush with warm water and a lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry upside down. | Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Clean with a tiny bit of lathering soap and rinse until completely clean. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry. |
| Small Brushes | Prep brushes by thinning in two or more baths of spirits or until a rag runs free of paint. Apply a generous portion of Lard to the tip of the brush and store. To reuse brush, completely thin with spirits. | Clean each small brush very carefully and gently with a tiny bit of lathering soap. Shake out excess water, quickly form brush shape, and then allow to dry . To reshape a brush, dip it in Gum Arabic. |
