The last post I wrote on brushes was over ten years ago, so an update is probably in order:
My preferred brushes are hog bristle, especially at the beginning of a painting. Of late, I’ve been using a lot of ’rounds’.
Jackson’s Art makes a great set of hog bristles. I prefer to get the sets rather than buy them individually.
After that, I usually go with synthetics, though if you can afford them sable is the way to go.
Text originally published in November of 2011:
- Daler Rowney. Odd used these. He said they were horrible… yet in hand, they were.
- Isabey Hog Bristle. There were a staple brush for me in the 90’s. Haven’t used them much recently, though I don’t really have a reason.
- Isabey Chungking. I think these are the new versions of the Isabey hog bristle. Again, I remember using these often in the past.
- Raphael Mongoose. Good brushes, though time for new ones. The ones you see are worn out!
- Tintoretto Pelo di Bue. Have not used them much, but they look good.
- Tintoretto Synthetic “Mangusta.” Excellent synthetic brushes, both filberts and rounds.
- W&N Galeraia. Not sure yet what I think of these…
- W&N Monarch Synthetic. Another good synthetic.
- JF Pelo di Bue. The work-horse brush. I use these often!
- JF Multi-Use Hog Bristle. Another work-horse. Another I use often.