"Paint by Numbers Art"
AJ's Paint By Numbers Art Work
TX
aj
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayArticle?articleNum=ae0236.
I make no claims to originating this detailed and useful information.
Brushes are comprised of three components:
1. Tuft
2. Ferrule
3. Handle
The tuft is what carries and applies the paint. Tufts can be made of natural hair or bristle, synthetic fibers, or a combination of both.
The ferrule is what holds the tuft on the brush. A good quality ferrule is seamless and made of nickel or another non-reactive metal.
A good quality handle will be made of hardwood, finished or painted, or of acrylic.
Handle Length
Many brush styles come in different handle lengths. Generally, the long handled brushes are used for easel work and larger pieces, where the artist wants to stand away from the piece to monitor their progress.
Shorter handled brushes tend to be used in the field, and where close up detail work is required.
Below is a web page from CheapJoes giving great tips are Art brushes. Please take a look!
http://www.cheapjoes.com/art-supplies/2_art-brushes-and-stuff.asp
Care of Brushes
When cleaning a brush made from natural hair, use cool water. Hot water will strip the natural oils from the hair.
Always rinse the brush thoroughly in the appropriate solvent (water or paint thinner) to remove as much of the remaining color as possible.
Gently massage the brush in the palm of the hand using a small amount of gentle soap or brush cleaner that is no harsher than what you would use in your own hair.
Rinse the brush thoroughly and allow to dry upright or hanging downward.
If natural hair brushes are not going to be used for a long period of time in a humid climate, it is wise to store them in an enclosed area with a mothball or two.
Synthetic brushes that have become misshapen can sometimes be brought back into a useable profile by placing them under hot (not quite boiling) running water. DO NOT TRY THIS WITH NATURAL HAIR BRUSHES.
Keeping any brush clean will dramatically extend its life.
Another website giving outstanding information about brushes is http://www.shopwiki.com/wiki/Artist's+Paint+Brushes
AJ's Paint By Numbers Art Work
TX
aj
