Ox
hair brushes offer painters great versatility in brush stroke, from
precision details to impasto work. The best ox hair brush is developed
from the ears of cattle or oxen and is very silky to the touch. It is
also very strong, resilient and has good snap, however, it lacks a fine
tip, so it is usually mixed with other natural hairs. The blending makes
a brush more resilient and have more body. Ox hair is more rigid and
springier than red sable, but not as stiff as natural bristle.
Ox hair brushes are strong bristled brushes. These coarse bristles are
made into flats and brights and are used to do rigid lettering and for
painting with oils and acrylics. The coarser 'dark ox' hair is used for
stippler and stenciling brushes and the like. The finer 'light ox' hair
is used for fine varnish and mottler brushes. Also, dyed 'light ox' hair
is used to make sabeline brushes.
The best quality hairs from the ears of South American and European
oxen. They are strong in body, have good springiness and tapered points.
Natural shades range from white to black. Because of its elasticity and
color carrying ability, ox hair makes an excellent brush for heavier
colors. Goat hair has a naturally blunt tip but retains a large volume
of fluid. It is used in mottler, mops, cosmetic brushes and Oriental
brushes. Lesser grades are used in school brushes and, like pony, it can
be used in blends or filler.
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.
