Brushes

Brushes

Brush types
Rolfes carries a full range of brushes suitable for students, amateur and professional artists. Rolfes also offers
a range of blister pack brushes that are excellent for self-service type retail outlets. The cards feature detailed brush and technique information.

Hog Bristle
A selection of hog bristle brushes is recommended for oil and acrylic painting, and is a far less expensive alternative to good quality softer hairs. Also suitable for poster paints, gouache and tempera.

Pony Hair
is soft but strong, from mature animals at least 2 years of age. It is primarily used for scholastic grade brushes, but it is often blended with other hairs for inexpensive watercolour and touch up brushes. Used with acrylic, tempera, scholastic and watercolour.

Synthetics
are made of either nylon or polyester filaments. They are better suited for painting with acrylics because a synthetic filament will withstand the caustic nature of acrylic paints with less damage.

Camel Hair
does not come from camels at all. It is found in watercolour and lettering brushes and is usually made of squirrel, goat, ox, pony or a blend of several hairs, depending on the desired softness and intended cost of the brush. Best for lettering, tempera and watercolour.

Round
Round ferrule, round or pointed tip. Useful for detail, wash, fills, and thin to thick lines. A pointed round is useful for fine detail. A detailer is a pointed round with very short hair.

Flat
Flat ferrule, square ended, with medium to long hairs. Provides lots of colour capacity and easy maneuverability. Use fo bold sweeping strokes, or on edge for fine lines. Use heavier filling for heavier paint.

Bright
Flat ferrule, short length hairs, usually set in a long handle. Width and length of brush head is about equal. Useful for short and controlled strokes and with thick or heavy colour.

Fan
Flat ferrule, spread hairs. Natural hair is more suitable for soft blending, and synthetic works well for textural effects. Useful for smoothing and blending, special effects and textures.

A Mop
is around full version of the wash brush, made of soft absorbent natural hair. It is useful for laying large areas of water or colour, for wetting the surface and for absorbing excess media.

Hake Brush
is an oriental style wash brush on a long flat handle. It is useful for laying in large areas of water or colour, for wetting the surface and for absorbing excess media.