Pony
hair comes from the mane of young horses and are very fine and soft.
These are the typical hair used in the traditional Cosmetic Brush. The
very finest pony hair comes from the belly of the animal and is often
blended with other hairs for less expensive watercolor and touch-up
brushes. Natural tips are used in better brushes and the rest of the
hair is cut into lengths and used in cheaper brushes. It is strong,
slightly coarse, resilient and with the exception of sheep hair, is the
most absorbent.
Pony hair is popular in Oriental watercolor and calligraphy brush
making because it can get so long. It does not have the ability to stay
together when wet, so it is often partially starched or covered with an
outside layer of sheep hair. Each hair contains numerous pockets that
trap water and color, making them especially suitable for Sumi painting.
Pony hair doesn't hold its shape well, nor does it point. It is used as
a filler to reduce the price of a brush. Horse or pony hair is most
commonly used in inexpensive school grade brushes or cosmetic brushes.
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.
