Brush Hairs and Bristles

Brushes are made of natural hairs, synthetic hairs, or a combination of both. Any brush is an applicator of paint, but to get the most from your brush certain hair types and shapes work best for certain functions. When selecting a brush you should consider the properties of your paint/media, the properties of your surface, and the technique to be used.

Bristle: Made of hog hair, the most sought after coming from China. Bristle brushes are stiff and coarse and work well with heavier mediums. Ceramists often use bristle brushes to �drybrush� as they hold up better than other natural bristle brushes. The black bristle brushes are stiffer than the white ones.

Camel Hair: There is no camel hair in a camel hair brush. They are made from a variety of hairs, ox, squirrel, goat, pony, bear, sheep or a blend of any of these depending on the desired softness and intended cost. Camel hair lacks snap and will not return to a good point after a brush stroke.

Kolinsky Sable: This is the most valuable and expensive soft brush hair. It has excellent strength, spring, and ability to retain its shape. It holds a very fine point or edge. The guard hairs from the tail of a male Kolinsky make the best brushes. It is considered a professional grade of hair and will last for many years if properly cared for.

Mongoose: Softer than hog bristle but stiffer than ox hair, it makes a versatile and durable brush.

Red Sable: Red hair from any of the weasel family. The quality and characteristics of weasel hair vary greatly. A good quality pure red sable is an excellent alternative to the Kolinsky although the hairs are not as fine and as springy. Red sables of less quality may be made from other body areas of the male Kolinsky, female Kolinskies and other European or Chinese weasels.

Squirrel: Very absorbent, points very well when wet, but has very little snap. It works best with liquid paints and inks. It�s ideal for washes, lettering and smooth painted finishes.

Ox Hair: The best quality comes from the ears of oxen or cattle. The hair has a strong body, is very resilient, has good snap but lacks a fine tip.

Badger Hair: Badgers are native to many parts of the world. China is the main producer of badger hair. The best and most expensive are white-tip badger. Traditionally used for making blending brushes.

Goat Hair: These are used alone, or blended, for sumi and calligraphy brushes. While hairs have excellent absorbency and pointing ability, they lack spring. They make excellent brushes for applying ceramic glazes and underglazes.

Synthetic: These brushes cost less than natural hair brushes and can be used with any medium, but work best with acrylics. They come in all the same types and shapes as natural hair brushes, but you will need to test manufacturers and grades. Their performance varies widely. The main drawback, especially when working with fired ceramic products, is that they won�t hold as much paint and don�t have the fine taper and point of a good natural hair brush.

�2001-2003 Elsa Riedel