The
brush handles are designed with specific types and techniques of
painting in mind. The brush handle must be balanced properly to be
comfortable to hold & manipulate and at the same time it must also
be strong to withstand pressure. Many scholastic and mass-produced
handles are made from hard woods for these reasons. Handle styles
directly relate to the brushes' particular painting tasks, such as sash,
panel, etc. Handles today are made of strong structural material that
resists water and solvents.
Traditionally, manufacturers have provided artists with two lengths and
tapers of brush handles. Short-handled brushes are the choice when
holding the brush close to the tip. Watercolor, tole and decorative, and
craft and hobby brushes all have short handles, as paint is generally
applied while working on a table or on a slightly slanted table, such as
a drawing board. Long-handled brushes are usually reserved for easel
work, so the artist may distance himself from his work.
Types Of Handles
Artist-type handle are made of seasoned hardwood, lathe shaped
and properly balanced to give 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 molded, plastic
handles instead of wood.
Brushes
used for acrylics have long handles that allow the artist to work at a
distance from the canvas. Acrylic paints are more caustic than oils, so
acrylic brushes are designed with synthetics and bristle. Acrylic
brushes are usable in other mediums, particularly oils, while brushes
designed specifically for oil painting and watercolors are unsuitable
for acrylics. Artists can very effectively use glazing and layering
techniques when using acrylic brushes.
Both natural and synthetic bristles can be used with acrylics,
depending on the artist's preference. But, acrylics, being alkaline in
nature, can be hard on natural hair brushes. Those made with high
quality synthetics have excellent durability and offers excellent
stiffness, snap and hair shape retention for maximum control. The
brushes must be kept clean. If acrylic paint dries in a brush it is very
hard to get out without using strong solvents that might damage the
brush. Brushes are cleaned promptly by washing them with warm water and
mild soap when finished painting.
