| Author | Content |
Tir_Na_Nog
Houston
United States
(Zone 9b)
April 06, 2007
04:16 AM Post #3361019
| Hello. I'm going to try to get back into painting again and wanted opinions of those who do art professionally to sell.
I've never bought expensive brushes but we had them in my art classes, though some students took no care with them in washing well so I couldn't tell they were anything special.
What brand of brush would you recommend, mostly for acrylics. And in what way or what products do you use to clean, dry and store your brushes? Have you used both cheap and expensive brushes and can vouch there is a great difference?
Very interested in any help you might offer me. THANKS! |
sempervirens
Northern, NJ
(Zone 6b)
April 06, 2007
06:54 AM Post #3361512
| For acrylics I only use synthetic brushes. I don't think it's worth it to use natural bristle brushes for acrylics because I find it ruins those brushes. I do use sable brushes for gouache or watercolors. I still have those from 10 yrs ago when I worked as a commercial artist. I use a mild dish soap to clean them.
When you buy brushes, even the synthetic ones, you'll find a wide range in quality. Always test the brushes out with clean water to check the point, spring and flow before you buy. Most good art stores will provide you with a cup of water. Don't use your painting brushes to mix paint, I use stiff stencil brushes to mix.
I store the sable brushes in a leather pouch or a metal box but I'm very lax with the synthetics and leave them in a open jar. |
Tir_Na_Nog
Houston
United States
(Zone 9b)
April 06, 2007
08:56 AM Post #3361889
| Wonderful tips! Thankyou!! |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
April 06, 2007
12:36 PM Post #3362537
| Another good way to store brushes is rolled in one of the bamboo mats used to roll sushi. |
TxTurqoize
San Antonio, TX
(Zone 8b)
April 08, 2007
07:46 PM Post #3370351
| While earning my BFA in Painting...my Professor gave me a great tip about saving the tips of my sable brushes when not in use. Clean them with water and then pop the brush in your mouth. Saliva will keep the hairs in place until you wet the brush in water again. Gross...but it works! lol Especially pointed brushes... I have a large brush tube with a strap that is easy to carry around. Brushes are pushed into holes...and the lid goes back on, protecting them from damage. :) Bristle and synthetic brushes are kept in a flower pot.
Melanie |
Tir_Na_Nog
Houston
United States
(Zone 9b)
April 09, 2007
02:08 AM Post #3370694
| thx! i've often wet them by mouth to. |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
April 09, 2007
04:11 AM Post #3370849
| I knew there must be a reason I put my brushes in my mouth after cleaning them. Must be instinct. |
GD_Rankin
San Antonio, TX
(Zone 9a)
April 09, 2007
08:36 PM Post #3374208
| Now Tx . . . she's ask'n about PAINT brushes . . . not TOOTH brushes :D lol jus fun'n ;)
Nice to see you're getting back into painting again Tir . . . and it looks to me like you've gotten lots of great advice on your question :) I agree with the others . . . synthetic brushes are probably the best choice for acrylics and as far as brands go, I don't have any certain ones I like best. I just kind of go by feel when I'm looking at the selection at the store and try to decide which ones match what I'm thinking about using them for.
I am just about to try my hand at oil paints, so I'm in a similar situation - in a sense. I've selected a few brushes that I'll start with and keep seperate from my watercolor and acrylic brushes. I haven't made a huge investment in a *full set* just yet, since I'm not sure how well I'll like oils. However, I selected a couple of rounds - mid size (number 4 & 8) for most of the bulk of things. A pretty small round for some detail work (number 10/0) and a nice size fan brush for effects like grasses and such and a larger 1" flat or wash brush for backgrounds and larger area coverage. I already had a few brushes that I'll likely use in addition to these - like a thin "liner" brush and a couple of really old brushes that I may find a use for somewhere along the way.
I think I spent about $15-$20 bucks on the new ones and that should be plenty to get me started. Once I get a feel for the oils, I may upgrade and/or add to this set, but for now I think should be enough.
Also, as mentioned above, with acrylics . . . I think the most important part is to keep them clean and not allow the ultra fast drying paint to set up in them. Most brushes should last you a really long time if you follow what others have already said . . .
Best of luck and you know we can't wait to see what you do with your new brushes.
And don't forget the 2nd most important part . . . Have fun!!!!
GD :) |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
April 10, 2007
05:01 AM Post #3375011
| I have my fathers paint brushes from years ago and they are still in good shape. He always kept them that way and so have I. He died 15 years ago and had had them a long time at that point. He was the one that taught me to buy good brushes, keep them clean and well protected. |
cach357
Fairhope, AL
(Zone 8b)
April 11, 2007
08:46 AM Post #3379356
| Well I guess I will have to be the voice of dissent here. I do not ever use synthetic brushes when working with acrylics. Only natural fiber - chungking - being my fav. Any hogs hair bristle is going to give you the best control when it comes to acrylics. Yes, brushes can be expensive but they are so easy to take care of, it is well worth it.While painting never allow your brushes to get dry. I just leave them in water during my painting session. Afterward I take them and rise them thoughly under running water. Follow it up with a few swipes of brush conditioning soap and they're good to go.
As for oil I use natural bristle only as well, but lean toward the Mongoose bristles - they are a little softer.Remember you'll need to rinse them in mineral spirits throughly, then follow up with a brush soap/conditioner. I have yet to find a synthetic that can hold paint well and produce a painterly effect. They are fine for students but if this is something you want to get into to sell your work, I strongly recomend using the best brushes available to you. They may cost more initially, but with good care they will last. I have yet to throw one away. |
TxTurqoize
San Antonio, TX
(Zone 8b)
April 11, 2007
06:33 PM Post #3381478
| lol GD... :p |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
April 12, 2007
04:52 AM Post #3382335
| GD, I forgot to ask. Is there a difference between toothbrushes and paint brushes? |
cach357
Fairhope, AL
(Zone 8b)
April 12, 2007
04:55 AM Post #3382350
| lol! |
Bettypauze
Victoria Harbour, ON
(Zone 5b)
April 12, 2007
08:31 AM Post #3383090
| I use synthetic brushes as well for regular acrylic painting..after washing my brushes I gently work dishwasher detergent and reform..this keeps them in shape until next use..then I simply give them a swish..and voila ready to paint again..
I do watercolors/ batique/ oils (however I've changed to Genesis heat set paints and will never return to regular oils...
Here are some photo's of painting in both medium..think most of it done in Genesis though...
http://www.picturetrail.com/bessiemarie0 |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
April 12, 2007
08:53 AM Post #3383143
| The dog is my favorite. |
Tir_Na_Nog
Houston
United States
(Zone 9b)
April 12, 2007
01:10 PM Post #3383913
| woah,
I'm honored by all the advice here. I am among professionals I can tell. That will come in handy when I start messing up in my painting and need more solutions!
GD: um yeah, think I'd be to embarrassed to show YOU my paintings when your paintings look like photographs! Realism is my favorite style but not one I've ever been good at! |
GD_Rankin
San Antonio, TX
(Zone 9a)
April 12, 2007
03:12 PM Post #3384304
|
| Quoted: | | GD, I forgot to ask. Is there a difference between toothbrushes and paint brushes? |
lol potter . . . I guess it all depends on who's teeth we're talk'n about paint'n here ;) :D
Now now Tir . . . you know you don't have to be embarrassed around here . . . we're all here to share and have fun . . . learning is a HUGE part of art for all of us :) I'm sure you'll get a laugh out of some of my first attempts with a new medium . . . but hopefully in time and with the help and advice from others, we can learn and grow faster than those sticker-burrs that TxT keeps try'n to pawn off on me ;) :D |
Tir_Na_Nog
Houston
United States
(Zone 9b)
April 12, 2007
05:45 PM Post #3384852
| rofl!!!! |
TxTurqoize
San Antonio, TX
(Zone 8b)
April 12, 2007
07:55 PM Post #3385261
| lol...like I told ya GD, I've got a Folger's coffee can just plum full of caliche rocks, fire ants, a black widder in need of a new home, some mistletoe, sticker-burrs and a bright, new red cap... ;) And some china berries for good measure, lol :p
Everytime I take a quick peek here in Artisans, it makes me want to get my stretcher bars and canvas out again, as well as buy new brushes. I do so love those sable ones. Since my work was having to move a wetter paint around a flat canvas, they were great at holding alot of pigment. :)
Melanie |
yayacaruana
Goose Creek, SC
July 28, 2007
07:37 PM Post #3790518
| I see this is a really old thread, but here are my 2 cents for anyone else who stumbles onto this one.
Many an artist has been injured by the gradual ingestion of tiny amounts of paint. Most paints are made of a combination of ingredients that are toxic and many do not every leave the body so they can build up.
Please don't put your brush in your mouth. It's much safer to simply take the brush and use a good conditioning soap. |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
July 29, 2007
10:51 AM Post #3792360
| I know. I keep reminding myself of that. |
cach357
Fairhope, AL
(Zone 8b)
September 13, 2007
10:45 PM Post #3973079
| Thanks yayacaruana,
That is a very important point!!
Oils can be esp. toxic. Its easy to get caught up in the "emotion of the momment" in a painting. Many of these are extremely dangerous. thanks for the reminder. I've found over the years it is easier to get used to painting with latex gloves than to risk my health.
Amy
|
Tir_Na_Nog
Houston
United States
(Zone 9b)
September 13, 2007
11:07 PM Post #3973152
| So just the oil based is a prob? I only use acrylics as mentioned in opening post. |
cach357
Fairhope, AL
(Zone 8b)
September 13, 2007
11:16 PM Post #3973183
| Acrylics, to my knowledge are very safe. |
terriculture
london England
United Kingdom
September 13, 2007
11:18 PM Post #3973193
| Tir Na Nog, get some good quality paintbrushes and start painting!... |
Tir_Na_Nog
Houston
United States
(Zone 9b)
September 13, 2007
11:28 PM Post #3973232
| :) THANK YOU BOTH! |
sempervirens
Northern, NJ
(Zone 6b)
September 14, 2007
06:30 AM Post #3973653
| Tir Na Nog,
Acrylic paint can be highly toxic as well. You must check the tube or jar labeling and choose non toxic colors. All cadmium colors will be listed as toxic for example. I have eliminated all toxic colors from my palette and although it takes a little juggling and rethinking I can still achieve the same end result. if you choose the toxic colors you can wear latex gloves and carefully wash your hands, etc. You might want to look at a book like " Artist Beware " at the library if you have any further concerns about materials. |
Tir_Na_Nog
Houston
United States
(Zone 9b)
September 14, 2007
10:52 AM Post #3974405
| Thank-you for the education! |
Bhavana34
Medford, NJ
September 14, 2007
12:24 PM Post #3974747
| I agree that acrylics are brutal on brushes! So am I, I tend to leave them too long sometimes before washing. I don't really work in acrylics anymore, except for murals, but I found that with the exception of watercolors, I used the same brushes for oil, acrylic, and water based oils.
Some synthetics that I have found to work well and last long but not be too expensive...both can be found at Michaels.
Artisan by W&N - made for their water based oils but good for all mediums
Loew Cornell LaCorneille Gldn Taklon - all sizes but I buy the smaller detail type sizes. Usually I wait for Michaels to have a sale and stock up, a brush may only last a couple paintings, esp. cause I work in alot of detail.
|
Tir_Na_Nog
Houston
United States
(Zone 9b)
September 14, 2007
12:29 PM Post #3974788
|
| Quoted: | | I agree that acrylics are brutal on brushes! So am I, I tend to leave them too long sometimes before washing. |
I know, same here---hence I buy from Walmart and am ALWAYS throwing a brush out after a couple uses. |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
September 18, 2007
08:12 AM Post #3988256
| Last night in my clay sculpting class we got into a discussion about putting brushes in our mouths and the instructor said that Van Gogh did that. So if we want to keep both ears we need to stop putting brushes in our mouths. |
Tir_Na_Nog
Houston
United States
(Zone 9b)
September 18, 2007
09:27 AM Post #3988524
| ROFLOL!!!! Smart idea! |
Gardnerkett
Pass Christian, MS
(Zone 8b)
September 18, 2007
10:02 AM Post #3988698
| Just getting back into painting, after almost 30 years...
Wonderful tips on the brushes...I stood at the art store for hours wondering what to buy.
So just bought a bunch of everything, so I would quit stalling...
Great information, Thanks!
Gk |
lovediggin
Bryan, TX
October 15, 2007
08:05 PM Post #4087006
| Hi fellow atrisans,
I too love to paint in various mediums and this is my two cents worth.
My best brush advice regardless of what kind it is: When you finish washing/conditioning or rinsing the brush and shape it, lay it down till dry. Do not set them upright on the handle end to dry as the water will seep into the ferrule and this can cause any brush, cheap or expensive to become loose at this joining.
I have used brush soaps but also have found that Murphys Oil Soap does a very good job of cleaning brushes and keeping them supple.
Have fun!!!!
|
Bhavana34
Medford, NJ
October 16, 2007
02:42 PM Post #4089810
| yes, I have heard that about murphys too...in the past year I have thrown out all of my shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, facial cleansers, hand cleansers, and shaving cream and have just been using all natural soaps (vegan - made w/ mostly olive and other plant oils or butters ) Boy has it saved me some money AND the same types of soap make great brush cleaners for alot less than the "brush soaps" What I do is when I order a soap that doesn't have a scent I like, I use that one for the brushes. |
