Brush Essentials

Bring your favourite brushes in a selection of styles and sizes. This is certainly a time when less is better than many. Remember: fewer to carry/fewer to lose! It is best to leave your expensive sable brushes at home. If you are looking to purchase, I really like Cheap Joes Golden Fleece line. They are very reasonably priced and well crafted. You don't need to buy the special "Travel Brush Kits".

Click here's to see Cheap Joes Golden Fleece Brushes

I will bring no more than 10 brushes. Each time I pack up from working on location, I count my brushes to make sure that I'm not leaving any behind.

Here are brushes that I will have in my kit: 

- #2 or #4 rigger or signature brush 

- 1.5" flat wash brush (CJS Golden Fleece, Loew-Cornell Skywash 7750 or Robert Simmons Skyflow)

- 1 each of a 3/4" and a 1" flat wash (i.e. CJS Golden Fleece, Loew-Cornell Skywash 7750 or Robert Simmons Skyflow)

- 1 small stiff shader brush for spatters and lifting

- 2 Round brushes - sizes 10,12 or 14 - your choice of size, but go for bigger, rather than tiny.

- 2 of the 1" Skipper brushes. If you can't get this brush let me know. Link to: 1" Skipper from Cheap Joe's Art Stuff

- 1" - 2" extra soft brush

How to carry your brushes
The particular brush caddy, shown in the picture above, came from the drugstore rather than the art store. It is intended for make-up brushes but I like it because it is much smaller and lighter. A rolled bamboo placemat works well too and allows your brushes to air dry. I like to spread out the holder so I can easily see my selection while I work.