I'm just curious as I was cleaning out a corner of my house as I'm fixing to move into my studio this weekend, and came across a ton and a half of paintbrushes that I completely forgot about!! The thing is, I forgot about these and was working with a few that weren't stashed away, and I thought I was running sorta low on some sizes (little ones for details and bigger ones for washes!) anyway, I am just curious as to how many paintbrushes you all use when painting, and how many you have. I mean, not an exact count, but I was just wondering if maybe I have too many... I think with all of my mediums I work with(not in the package, but used) (oil, acrylic, watercolor, tempera)- I never mix brushes- each medium has it's own set of brushes- probably hovering in the 600+ region.... and old dummy here ordered more thinking I misplaced a ton of them!LOL!!!
Oil takes more brushes for me, and watercolor the least.
This was just a little fun question. LOL!!! :)
2006-08-17 06:55:44 · 10 answers · asked by misteri 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
I have about 40-50 brushes, but I don't do as many media as you do. I think too many brushes would be when you can't find what you need at the moment because they are covering each other up. If you have them organized for when the moment of inspiration strikes, there are no limits! IMHO
2006-08-17 07:13:03 · answer #1 · answered by Teddie M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I have cupboards full of them, but it really depends on what I'm painting, sometimes I've done a whole piece of work just using one! I get too excited about what I'm doing that I don't even realize I'm painting with a brush! sometimes I start using my hands as well. If I'm working smaller or more delicately I tend to have about 4 in my hand maybe even one in my mouth, if I have to switch alot. (little tip: don't get so out of control you put the brush in the wrong way -paint is not tasty)
I seem to buy all kinds of brushes, I'm at the shop thinking 'hmm I don't have that roundish one yet' even though I know I'd probably just use the flat ones I normally use.
But when I've been using acrylics I get abit lazy when it comes to washing them fully and end up throwing out tonnes of stiff brushes. I think it's great having so many stored though and nothing feels greater than a brand new brush.
2006-08-19 04:59:39 · answer #2 · answered by toyotagirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think as long as you have the patience to wash all your brushes, you can't have too many. I only have about 6 or 7, though I've been using mostly oils lately and haven't had the need for multiple medium brushes. Then again, I'm also not too fond of cleaning brushes, so I figure the fewer I have, the better.
I guess, if your brush purchasing is cutting into something important like a food budget, it may be good to reconsider. Or, if they take up too much space you may want to thin it out. Otherwise use as many as your heart desires. Or your art.
2006-08-18 13:08:05 · answer #3 · answered by judithsr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have too many to count quickly. For oils and acrylics, I have flats, pointeds, stipples and fantails in several sizes. For watercolors, I have large wash brushes and #000 to #12 pointed ones. I can do most paintings with only a #7 if I must. For leather painting, I use both oil and watercolor brushes. I have my own tiny brushes that I made by plucking 3/4 of the bristles in #000's. Oh yes, I do Chinese and Japanese painting,and that requires special brushes. Calligraphy requires unusual manual dexterity. As usual, I have them in several sizes. I've done murals with casein paints. I use watercolor brushes for that.
2006-08-18 00:26:12 · answer #4 · answered by miyuki & kyojin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I started painting with acrylics about two years ago. I purchased a lot of brushes just to see what size would work for me. (About a hundred brushes.) I have settled on using mostly a, 1/2 inch flat brush and 6 round brushes, sizes 0,2,4,6,8, and 12. I Certainly would not discard any of the brushes as they all come in handy at some time. PS. I have my hubby making frames for my paintings. Elaine
2006-08-17 15:58:45 · answer #5 · answered by Elaine B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i go only a few brush sizes at a time, probably between 2 and 6 brushes, 2 if i am using large brushes, 6 if i am using small brushes/doing detail... but i have dozens, why? i have no idea... i think it is in a painter's nature, if i see a brush on a shelf that i like, i buy it... then i get home and realize i have 2 of the very same ones...
2006-08-17 14:02:35 · answer #6 · answered by Jonny Propaganda 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
never too many. I have about 40 or so brushes but I rarely use the "artist" brushes. I mostly use "paint" brushes because I do a lot of dripping and paint large. no smaller than 6'x6'.
2006-08-17 14:04:36 · answer #7 · answered by MyNameHere 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have 600+ brushes?!?! Well...at least I thought you could never have too many brushes!! lol. I'm also a watercolorist...and I paint in acrylics...and all my brushes are medium catagorized as well...but I have nowhere near as many as you have! I'll take some off your hands! lol. But in all seriousness, you never know what you'll need them for.
2006-08-17 14:14:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use about three brushes. I have this one that is way past it's due date, but it's carried me through so many paintings. I keep it and use it for sentimental value.
2006-08-17 15:15:29 · answer #9 · answered by Ronnie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can never have to-o-o-oo-oooo many brushes!!!you can have too much time on your hands to worry about such considerations!!!!start giving lessons to "promising" students and give the "extra brushes to them to " get them going!!!"
2006-08-17 17:22:55 · answer #10 · answered by eldoradoreefgold 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋