Sunday, April 17, 2011

Creative Journey - What is Your Favorite Brush?

When I teach a class I am often asked what kind of brushes that I like to use. Years ago when I first started painting in watercolor I used Loew Cornell brushes - relatively inexpensive, synthetic brushes - but always thought I needed to get a sable brush someday. Well, I finally did fork over the money for one, only to find that I thought it was too soft and I could not get much control with it. It did, however, hold more water so then I tried a blend of synthetic and natural hair - holds more water but springs back for more control.

But now I have come full circle and am back to using the Loew Cornell Series 7000 (Cheap Joe's sells them) that you see above. I do 95% of my painting with the 1 1/2 inch flat and a #14 round - they hold water, spring back, keep a nice point and don't cost a fortune. Finding the tools that work for you is definitely part of the Creative Journey!

Do you believe the old adage that we are only one brush away from a masterpiece? Do you love to use alot of different brushes or only a few? What is your favorite brush?