Paintbrush

Paintbrushes are used to apply ink or paint. These brushes are usually made by clamping the bristles to a handle with a ferrule. [edit]Decorators' brushes The sizes of brushes used for painting and decorating are given in mm or inches, referring to the width of the head. Common sizes are: ⅛ in, ¼ in, ⅜ in, ½ in, ⅝ in, ¾ in, ⅞ in, 1 in, 1¼ in, 1½ in, 2 in, 2½ in, 3 in, 3½ in, 4 in. 10 mm, 20 mm, bob 40 mm, 50 mm, 60 mm, 70 mm, 80 mm, 90 mm, 100 mm. Bristles may be natural or synthetic. If the filaments are synthetic, they could be made of polyester, nylon or a blend of nylon and polyester. Filaments can be hollow or solid and can be tapered or untapered. Brushes with tapered filaments give a smoother finish. [1] Synthetic filaments last longer than natural bristles. Natural bristles are preferred for oil-based paints and varnishes, while synthetic brushes are better for water-based paints as the bristles do not expand when wetted. [2] A decorator judges the quality of a brush based on several factors: filament retention, paint pickup, steadiness of paint release, brush marks, drag and precision painting. A chiseled brush permits the painter to cut into tighter corners and paint more precisely. [3] Handles may be wood or plastic; ferrules are metal (usually nickel-plated steel). Artists' brushes Short handled brushes are for watercolor or ink painting while the long handled brushes are for oil or acrylic paint. [edit] Shapes The styles of brush tip seen most commonly are: Round: pointed tip, long closely arranged bristles for detail Flat: for spreading paint quickly and evenly over a surface. They will have longer hairs than their Bright counterpart. Bright: shorter than flats. Flat brushes with short stiff bristles, good for driving paint into the weave of a canvas in thinner paint applications, as well as thicker painting styles like impasto work. Filbert: flat brushes with domed ends. They allow good coverage and the ability to perform some detail work. Fan: for blending broad areas of paint. Angle: like the filbert, these are versatile and can be applied in both general painting application as well as some detail work. Mop: a larger format brush with a rounded edge for broad soft paint application as well as for getting thinner glazes over existing drying layers of paint without damaging lower layers. Rigger: round brushes with longish hairs, traditionally used for painting the rigging in pictures of ships. They are useful for fine lines and are versatile for both oils and watercolors. Stippler and deer-foot stippler: short, stubby rounds Liner: elongated rounds Dagger Scripts: highly elongated rounds Egbert