Artists’ Brushes

Alternative Uses – Great for More than Painting

As artists and creative folks, we all probably have a collection of brushes that likely range in price from very inexpensive to high cost.  The care of these brushes and the way we store them can often be directly related to this initial cost, but every one of them is of value.

Some large-scale abstract artists use massive brushes, perhaps house painting quality—boar bristle or synthetic—and a few smaller sized—imitation sable.  The latter are used for more controlled detail work and signatures.

Some artists have also discovered uses for paintbrushes that do not have anything remotely to do with painting.  Many brushes are great for removing crumbs from any drawing/sketching surface.  They are soft enough to remove eraser debris without dislodging any of the graphite lines and details.  They are also flat and easy to transport.  The most effective use of a brush for this duty is one in the two- to three-inch size.  Any soft hairs are good, from quality bristle marine finishing brushes to low cost stain brushes.

Probably the lowest cost brush is constructed with a wooden handle and a sponge applicator.  These brushes hold a good amount of paint (or other fluids), are of such low cost that they are often tossed when finished, or they can be washed easily and reused if desired.  They are also great for oiling the surface of garden tools after season’s end.  Just wash off any soil attached to the blades of trowels or shovels, allow them to dry, and then apply a light coating of cooking oil with a sponge brush.  This will prevent rusting and will also keep the surface clean and ready for the next gardening workout.

When spritzed with a dust inhibitor or product such as Armor All, brushes make great hard surface crevice-cleaning tools.  One such location a brush is indispensable is the dashboard of your auto.  Dust collects and lingers in very difficult to reach slots and creases of the radio and instrument panel.  A quick swish of a brush and the dash is clean as a whistle!  Use caution on areas with clear acrylic covers such as gauges so scratches do not occur.  The softest brush you have, used with care, should do the trick.

For those of us who have caught the digital photography bug, a brush can be of huge assistance in the removal of dust particles and debris from photos.  When you decide to put your photo under glass and into a frame you don’t want dust to mar the look of the photo.  Simply dust with a soft brush (a good place to use imitation or real sable) to remove the particles from the slick surface of the photo.  Better than blowing off dust, the brush will attract and carry most dust away with one gentle stroke.

Women can use fine quality brushes to apply make-up.  The range of sizes and lengths of hairs in artists’ brushes make for a great selection. Guys can use them to clean machine parts or grit and grime from almost any metal surface.  Add solvents to the mix and cleaning becomes super simplified.  Or keep a brush at your computer work station to dust the keyboard.

So, when you look at a jar of artists’ brushes next time, let your mind drift; maybe there are additional uses that the brushes could be put to.  And dedication of old or inactive brushes might save time on other projects.  I guess we’d call this thinking outside the “jar.”

See your retailer for all your new brush needs and visit www.fmbrush.com.  You can choose from hundreds of types of artist brushes from around the world, some with unique handles and others with different kinds of hair.  F. M. Brush Co. also carries a full line of educational brushes for schoolroom needs as well as a line of additional accessories.  (And their line of cosmetic brushes comes in an extensive variety of colors, handles, hair and shapes!)

Copyright ARTtalk Vol. 18 No. 6 — April 2008