Brushes
and their basic components of hair, handle and ferrule, are designed
with specific types and techniques of painting in mind. A round brush
may be constructed in many sizes with a variety of bristle material in
various patterns. These brushes are typically made in staple set
fashion, the bristle tufts stapled to the core. A round hair brush can
also be made with the tufts hand tied or glued into place or by placing
a strip brush in a round shape by continuously winding it, affixing it
to a cylinder, a cup or a wheel. The possibilities of varied designs are
virtually unlimited and the hole patterns, hole density and materials
are usually determined by the application.
Each round hair brush performs a number of functions such as used in
cleaning an endless array of products, to add curl to medium / long
hair, to blow dry hair straight and are also used while painting. Round
brushes look exactly as named: They have a round, metal barreled for
more defined movement. Round brushes have smooth, tapered ends and in
sable and soft hair brushes they come to a fine point. Many round
brushes have wooden or plastic handles with a variety of grips that
ensure good traction and fit the hand.
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.
