I’m always asked about which brushes I use and, for several years now, it’s always been Rosemary and Co. They’re made in the UK and are durable, inexpensive and quick to arrive at my door in Canada.
Recently, Rosemary has started an affiliate program that allows artists to recommend the brushes that they use and, if someone follows that artist’s link and places an order, the referring artist gets goodies in the form of a 5% discount. It’s not something I’d participate in if I weren’t already a big fan of these brushes, but I am, so I will:)
Here’s my latest delivery from Rosemary and Co which has the 2 brushes that I order the most often - though I do test drive most of their oil-appropriate brushes regularly just to see if they work for me. Surprisingly, a brush that I had no affinity for a few years ago (too hard, too soft), might become just right for me as I continue to evolve as a painter.
The Ultimate bristle is a crisp and springy hog bristle that holds a lot of heavy oil paint for thick impasto strokes or takes the beating of a good scrubby application. Long flats also allow me to gently layer wet over wet paint without lifting or scraping the previous layer.
I use the Eclipse Long Flat to extend my ability to place a layer cleanly over wet paint. It’s softer than hog bristle but still springy and I can place those last crisp accents, lines, and highlights onto wet paint with this one without creating a blurred, mushy area.
If you decide to place an order and would like to honour me by using my code, I’d be grateful for your contribution to my brush habit!
Shop for Ultimate Long Flat Ultimate and Eclipse Long Flat Eclipse. At checkout, please enter: INGRIDCHRISTENSEN in the coupon code box.
**To see these and several other brush types put through their paces on a variety of surfaces, and to learn the ins and outs of several oil paint mediums, please join me for a 90 minute online demo at the Winslow Art Center on August 13.
Making Sense of Your Materials
will give you the information that I always wished I’d had when I started oil painting. Which brush will give which effects? What’s the difference between painting on linen, canvas, panels, or metal? And which of the many mediums in the art store is right for me?
The demo is $40 USD and is recorded for you to access for 30 days after the 13th.
I hope you’ll bring your technical questions and join me.
Happy painting!