Brushes can be confusing when there are so many to pick from. I am a big believer that a high quality brush can make all the difference when you are painting your piece of furniture. You will not get the results that you want without investing in a quality brush, and this is exactly what it is - an investment. If taken care of, your brushes can last you a very long time. I will get into more about caring for your brushes later.
I carry four types of brushes at the studio, that are perfect for all your painting projects.
Cling On! Brushes
I have been using Cling On! Brushes for some time now, and when I opened up The Lemonade Stand, it was one of the first things I ordered to compliment the paints that we carry. They provide a very smooth application and are professional grade brushes. Handmade in Holland with synthetic bristles and locked in epoxy cement, there are many shapes and sizes to choose from. My favourite is the 045 oval brush. It fits nicely in my hand and it great for doing spindles. This brush works very well with the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint. It holds a lot of paint are they are quite easy to clean (more about that later). Best of all, they are affordable.
Photo: Front Porch Mercantile.
Miss Mustard Seed Natural Bristle Brush
This brush is perfect for applying Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint or applying the hemp oil. It is a flat brush made with natural bristles. One thing to keep in mind with natural bristles is they are prone to breakage and natural shedding. You will have bristles that will break off and you will have to pick them off with your nail. More shedding will happen after the first few uses, but that will taper off as the brushes are used. This brush is extremely affordable and is 1.5" wide.
Annie Sloan Synthetic Flat Brushes
Annie Sloan's Flat Brushes feature advanced synthetic fibres which help to give a smooth finish. They work best with the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. The brushes are designed to take a large amount of paint and to help apply the paint evenly, which minimizes brush marks. You will get a good quality finish with these brushes.
Annie Sloan Round Bristle Brush
These brushes also work best with the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, and are perfect for producing a textured, vintage finish. They are made of predominately pure bristles with natural split ends, which allows for greater creativity. They hold a large amount of paint, and can also be used for applying wax. They feature ergonomically shaped handles, allowing for effortless application.
I did not believe it until I tried it, but guys, this brush made all the difference to me when it came to waxing all my painted furniture. It made it absolutely effortless! I don't know about you, but waxing is my least favourite part of my painted projects. It took me a bit to invest in the brush, and once I did it was a lifechanger! Also made of predominately pure bristles with natural split ends, the handles are ergonomically shaped making wax application so easy. The brush has a point on the end which allows the brush to get into intricate, detailed areas and tight corners.
Brush Soap
Okay, so I told you that I would talk about caring for your brushes. If you are going to invest money into a quality brush, you want to take care of it so it will last you a long time.
I use the Natural Brush Soap Cleaner from Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint all the time. I typically wash my brushes with Dawn soap first, then I move to the Soap Cleaner afterwards because it cleans AND conditions my brushes. It keeps them super soft, and helps avoid fly away hairs. I have brushes that are now 8 years old, and they are still in great condition.
HERES A TIP - after washing your brushes, squeeze or shake out the access water. Then hang your brushes upside down so that the water can run out of the bristles, and not sit in the ferrule of your brush creating rust. I use a magnetic knife holder that I have installed above my studio sink.
Sometimes it all comes down to a preference and brand. I find that some people like a round brush, while others like a flat brush. Some like a shorter handle, while others like a longer handle. If you invest in a quality brush, you can't really go wrong. You will get much better results for your project.
Happy painting!!
xo