Monday, July 03, 2006
One of the delights of painting in watercolors is the luminosity and transparency of the colors. Laying washes and letting the colors mix through the transparency is a treat that watercolors artists and students who have mastered the wash technique delight in. It is also a delight to see the finished work shimmer with light and hues that no other method of painting can deliver.
I used to have a nightmare of a time laying washes over dried paint. I was afraid to lift the dried paint and seldom managed to lay more than two to three washes before that happened. After years of struggling with washes and finding no adequate brushes that could do the work, I inherited a set of Isabey squirrel mop brushes and my life changed. Since using the Isabey mop brushes, I have no more hesitation. These brushes must have been deliberately designed by someone who knew exactly what is needed for making the perfect wash. Not only do they hold an enormous amount of water and glide effortlessly across your paper, but they also hold an exquisite point when wet and this feature can be a life saver when you are maneuvering your wash through intricate areas in your painting.
Like good sable brushes, the Isabey squirrel mops hold there point, and there squirrel hair has the highest capillary action of any natural hair, enabling them to hold a very large volume of water. Because of this huge amount of water that these brushes can carry, you need only glide them over the paper to get the paint to flow from the brushes in a smooth and effortless way. These are, in a sense, the Zen of brushes. You use them by not using them. By barely touching the surface of the painting, they delivers a wealth of paint where you want it to.
What is delightful about these brushes, is that despite their excellent quality and superior make, they are rather affordable. You can't miss the Isabey squirrel mops. They are beautiful brushes and very unique. There squirrel hair is set in a plain wood handles, and held in place by goose quill ferrules wrapped in brass wire. Sizes range from 00 to 12.
If you decide to try these brushes, give them time. They are different than your other brushes and you may get frustrated if you try to use them in the same way. Remember that the purpose of these brushes is to deliver paint in a smooth flow for washes. You should therefore practice using them with a light touch and glide them across the paper. If you like to craft your paint into place, these are probably not for you. If you want to achieve the brilliant luminosity of layered washes, then I heartily recommend the Isabey squirrel mop. As you can see, mine have been used well, I hope yours will as well.
