Squirrel fur brushes: how to choose?

Each student has a squirrel brush in his pencil case. Its quality and material properties have many advantages for painting. Therefore, it becomes the most popular and often the first in the arsenal of young and professional artists.

Material features

This brush is familiar to many. It can be recognized not only by the “squirrel” lettering on the handle, but also by its soft texture. Like all brushes, it consists of a pile, a wooden handle and a galvanized sheath holding the fur.

These accessories are suitable for painting with any paint, but it is best to work with them with watercolors and gouache... Oil paints are not suitable for her - from their aggressive composition, the hairs begin to crawl out, and the softness does not allow making high-quality strokes. Soft squirrel brushes leave a dense and rich paint mark, making the painting process pleasant and easy. They absorb and release water well.

The pile of this brush is made from the tail fur of a Siberian squirrel, usually black or red. The shape is conical, and the texture of the hair is fine, soft and elastic - the hairs do not break. This makes it easy to pick up paint. However, these same properties contribute to the rapid abrasion of the pile.

This soft material perfectly copes with images on paper, textiles, earthenware, porcelain, ceramic and earthenware.

Moreover, squirrel fur is used in cosmetology brushes, as it is soft and hypoallergenic. Caring for such instruments is simple. They only need to be rinsed with water. The brushes can be safely left in water, as this will not affect the quality and will not ruin the product.

Types

Most often, the squirrel brush has a round shape, since it is intended for thick strokes, and when working with it, the hairs do not diverge, do not leave stripes. Round brushes are common. There are no problems with their acquisition. Such options are used for painting with watercolors and for drawing small elements.

Oval brushes are similar to them. They are used to draw details. If the drawing is small, then you can get by with round tools.

There is another type - flat, which are much less common. They are chosen by artists. They are comfortable with precise application and clear lines. Used when applying gouache, tempera and acrylic. Tempera is pre-diluted for a more pliable consistency.

Lesser known, but used by professionals types:

flutes brushes for wide strokes;
font for thin lines (for graphics);
fan-shaped to soften the contours;
lampexel for gilding or gold leaf.

Flat and professional brushes are more expensive than round brushes.

Dimensions

The brush size is marked on the handle. For round ones, the number indicates the width of the brush in millimeters, that is, No. 5 corresponds to a diameter of 5 mm. The number on a flat brush indicates its width.

The thickness of the hairs depends on this figure, that is, their number:

numbers 2, 3, 4 are suitable for painstaking and small work;
thicker brushes are suitable for schoolchildren - 6, 8, 9;
sizes 10, 12, 18, 20 are suitable for artists with wide strokes and large canvases.

A large brush is handy for solid drawing. Long-handled brushes are preferred by artists as they provide ease of brushing, cleanliness and a great view of the whole picture. She is usually painted on easels.

However, each manufacturer has different size markings, moreover, the same manufacturer in different series of brushes may have different sizes - No. 9 from one and No. 12 from another series may be exactly the same.

How to choose?

There are many aspects to consider when it comes to choosing a brush:

handle material and size;
hair length;
brush size.

The handle should be smooth. Most often, manufacturers offer plastic and wood. The plastic may slip out, but will not damage it. A splinter can be placed with a wooden handle, and children can gnaw it, which has consequences more dangerous than a pricked finger. Children prefer plastic - safe and durable.

As for the length, you need to select it for convenience when in hand. Short tassels are suitable for children, and long ones for professionals.

The clamping base should hold the hairs tightly and also fit snugly against the handle. The hairs sticking out to the side are unacceptable - the brush will crumble after a couple of uses, and will also leave an unpleasant pattern. Best of all, a one-piece base, without seams. It will be convenient to work with it, hold a brush in hand, plus a curious kid will not be able to pick it out. However, some people use the plinth seam to repair the brush.

Hair is no less important in the brush. They must hold tightly to the plinth. Loose hairs are unacceptable. You can check this with a slight twitch. The villi must be of the same length and elasticity. The longer the hair, the wider the stripe, and the harder it is to create straight lines and contour patterns. Also, there should be no foreign type fibers that can completely ruin the drawing process. Pay attention to the glue that holds these parts together - it must not be seen.

Art brushes are sold as a set. In this case, you should pay attention to each brush, take into account the size. Painting kits also have numbered paintings with matching brushes and paint types - for watercolor, gouache or acrylic. However, numbered sets do not always have tassels - here you have to try to find the right sizes yourself. Ready-made kits are suitable for aspiring artists. They will help you develop your sense of taste, technique, accuracy and just understand if this is your hobby.

Squirrel brushes are undoubtedly one of the most popular and versatile tools for painting. They are suitable both for beginners to draw babies who find it difficult to cope with the first strokes, and for professionals dealing with large canvases.