A
brush basically consists of three parts: the handle, usually made of
wood, the ferrule, which holds the hairs onto the handle, and the hairs
or bristles, which can be synthetic or natural. Many scholastic and
mass-produced handles are made of unfinished raw wood. These are the
least expensive, become easily soiled and the wood often swells in use.
The Ferrule is the tapered metal tube that holds the brush hair
filaments.
Ferrules are made of different materials – aluminum, nickel,
copper and nickel-plated. Seamless nickel-plated ferrules will usually
appear shinier, with darker tone than aluminum. 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
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Brush Ferrules
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Brush Handles
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Brush Heads
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.
