All of my brushes tell a story. They come from different parts of the world...and I was there.
(Partial Repost, October,2009)
You have to hold them just right, you have to slow down your brush stroke, you have to mix the pigment-to-binder-to-water just so. This style of painting is called Delft in Holland, Faience in France and Maiolica in Italy.
Of all the brushes I own, these 2 brushes are the most special. The brush on the left was given to me by artist Alberto Lunghini of Ferrara, Italy. If you join the locals on their evening Passeggiata you will go right by his beautiful ceramic shop.
The brush on the right, with only a few hairs at the tip for very fine work, was a gift from the head painter of one the oldest companies in Holland. The company has been making hand painted tiles since 1594.
While I was at the factory, I noticed that each painter worked with a slightly different, although similar brush. You can't buy this brush. Is is made by each painter. And this is how:
You must befriend your Butcher. If he likes you he will give you the ear from an Ox. You can then pull out a few of the hairs from the ear, then find a whole bunch of hair from a sable and then you have to figure out how to attach all of this to a handle. Or, you can wrestle your cat for his newly caught mouse and proceed as above.
Now you know why that brush is so special.
My Father taught me how to take care of a fine artist brush. These brushes will last me for the rest of my life. I won't have to make friends with the Butcher (unless I want to) nor do I have to steal a mouse from Stanley, our gentleman cat.
Have a great remainder of the week my dear
Blogging Friends.
Gina
