Combining the brush-maker's skill and advanced technology with the experience and sensitivity of a dedicated folk artist, we are proud to present a line of the highest quality brushes developed especially for the high technical demands of the decorative artist.

A brush is a collection of fur, bristle or synthetic fibers formed into a specific shape, tied and glued to a handle, then further protected and strengthened by encasing the joining within a metal ferrule. The selection of the quality of the fur or fiber to be used and the blending of different diameters, strengths, etc., is part of the decision making process between the brush maker and the designing artist. It is their skills, knowledge and sensitivity upon which we depend for quality products.

The price of the brush is determined by the quality of its components and the time required for its assembly. Quality artists' brushes are more expensive than children's hobby brushes, but, thanks to modern technology, need not be too costly for average artistic techniques.

The round brush is the traditional brush of the decorative artist. It should be a collection of the finest quality hairs or fibers, each tapering to a fine point at their distal ends. Carefully tied, glued and held by a metal or quill ferrule and crimped to a long or short wooden handle, these furs or fibers should be strong, resilient and highly reactive to the slightest pressure and guidance of the artist's hand.

Sadly, there is not one perfect brush for every artist. Some will prefer a brush with longer hairs and a softer touch. Others will prefer a shorter fiber brush for more control of textured paint or dry brushed techniques. An artist who prefers only one brush may want the tip of the brush more pointed for the painting of details. Another may prefer a fuller tip for painting comma strokes of a more rounded beginnings. All agree that the brush should not contain short "filler" hairs which will stick out and destroy the shape of the strokes as they are formed by the pressures and pulls of the artist's hand.

The fibers should be strong enough to deposit paint when dressed only halfway up their visible length. This assures long brush life. A brush that requires loading to the tip for proper control will wear out faster due to a buildup of residue at the point of insertion into the ferrule where it is harder to clean.

The length of the wooden handle is simply an artist's choice, with most decorative artists preferring the shorter handled brush for decoration of smaller items and furniture pieces.

Brushes that are made with longer length of hair or fiber out from the ferrule are generally considered stroke or lettering brushes. This longer length out is also desirable in a varnish and/or basecoating brush, where, again, the life of the brush is extended due to easier cleanability. Of course the blend of fibers or hair must be strong enough to pull and distribute the paint, medium or varnish in the manner preferred by the artist.

Tremendous technological advances have yielded synthetic fibers that equal and even exceed the qualities of natural furs when blended in the proper ratio for the specific needs of an artist. It can no longer be said that natural fur brushes are better and for this fact the little animal thanks us.

Copyright © 2002 Jo Sonja ®
Jo Sonja's Inc. - P.O. Box 9080 - Eureka, CA 95501
Phone: (707) 445-9306 - Toll Free: (888) JOSONJA

Web site designed by Bethany Jansen, Mark Jansen, & Matt Basham
email: For Technical Support