A Kolinsky is a member of the Siberian weasel family with tail hairs that are nice for brushes. The casual word used for Kolinsky is sable. There are actually several natural sources for “sable”, and Kolinsky is one of them. This is what a Kolinsky looks like. Isn’t he cute?
Sable brushes used to be the highest quality brushes for oil and watercolor. Old school painters swear by nothing else. Since 2013, Kolinsky brushes have been banned, but some tails got grandfathered in, harvested prior to 2013 so they are still available, especially from European brush makers. (I believe this to be true, but if you have different info please let me know.)
Over time these sable brushes have increased in price, decreased in quality (due to global warming), and have become largely unnecessary due to the innovations in synthetic fibers. While there is a very valid argument for choosing natural over synthetic (thereby avoiding plastics and keepin’ it real), I have some conflicts about enjoying a creative tool that someone died for. And if death doesn’t stop me, the price will. Quality sable brushes are outrageously expensive. Just yesterday I held a sable Escoda watercolor brush priced at $170.
The Escoda family makes some of the finest brushes in the world, and while they use some natural fibers, they also use some of the world’s finest synthetics. Their Versatil synthetic Kolinsky brush is the modern-day alternative to the natural Kolinsky. My personal favorite brush is the Escoda Modernista, an oil brush made with synthetic mongoose. The brushes are absolutely exquisite. They taught me a new level of painting, and a new appreciation for quality tools.
[vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Victorians combined images from multiple negatives to create portraits known as “Headless Photographs.” (19th century) Not one cracked a smile. If Victorians had Facebook, would they have posted this? Happy Halloween![/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][image_with_animation image_url=”2845″ alignment=”” animation=”None”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”2831,2828,2830,2833,2834,2835,2836,2837,2829,2838,2840,2841,2843,2842,2844,2846″ layout=”3″ gallery_style=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Dallas Contemporary’s digital exhibition EVERYTHING HURTS opened yesterday, June 16, 2020. In response to the recent murder of George Floyd, Dallas-based artist Jammie Holmes, with the support of Library Street Collective, initiated a public demonstration across-five U.S. cities on Saturday, May 30 between the hours of 11:30am and 9pm EST. Airplanes with banners highlighting Floyd’s …
Today’s SEQUENCE Challenge Create a 2 panel sequence to compare before and after ____. #beforeandafter ATTENTION: New #tag Previously we were finding your posts by searching Instagram for #30SAL but going forward please also include the #tag title for each day. To be eligible for prizes (yes prizes!) at the end of the month, post …
I’ll be sharing my drawings on Facebook. I’d love for you to share yours too. Maybe we’ll get some people jumping in to join us. Post your pics on the Seattle Artist League‘s Facebook, or Instagram at SeattleArtLeague. #drawingaday #seattleartleague
The Making of an Escoda Brush
Sable brushes used to be the highest quality brushes for oil and watercolor. Old school painters swear by nothing else. Since 2013, Kolinsky brushes have been banned, but some tails got grandfathered in, harvested prior to 2013 so they are still available, especially from European brush makers. (I believe this to be true, but if you have different info please let me know.)
Over time these sable brushes have increased in price, decreased in quality (due to global warming), and have become largely unnecessary due to the innovations in synthetic fibers. While there is a very valid argument for choosing natural over synthetic (thereby avoiding plastics and keepin’ it real), I have some conflicts about enjoying a creative tool that someone died for. And if death doesn’t stop me, the price will. Quality sable brushes are outrageously expensive. Just yesterday I held a sable Escoda watercolor brush priced at $170.
The Escoda family makes some of the finest brushes in the world, and while they use some natural fibers, they also use some of the world’s finest synthetics. Their Versatil synthetic Kolinsky brush is the modern-day alternative to the natural Kolinsky. My personal favorite brush is the Escoda Modernista, an oil brush made with synthetic mongoose. The brushes are absolutely exquisite. They taught me a new level of painting, and a new appreciation for quality tools.
LINK TO VIDEO: The Making of an Escoda Brush (4 minutes)
Two reps from the Escoda family show how Escoda brushes are made. Each brush is hand crafted. Watch the video to see how it’s done.
Related Posts
Headless Portraits
[vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Victorians combined images from multiple negatives to create portraits known as “Headless Photographs.” (19th century) Not one cracked a smile. If Victorians had Facebook, would they have posted this? Happy Halloween![/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][image_with_animation image_url=”2845″ alignment=”” animation=”None”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”2831,2828,2830,2833,2834,2835,2836,2837,2829,2838,2840,2841,2843,2842,2844,2846″ layout=”3″ gallery_style=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Jammie Holmes: EVERYTHING HURTS
Dallas Contemporary’s digital exhibition EVERYTHING HURTS opened yesterday, June 16, 2020. In response to the recent murder of George Floyd, Dallas-based artist Jammie Holmes, with the support of Library Street Collective, initiated a public demonstration across-five U.S. cities on Saturday, May 30 between the hours of 11:30am and 9pm EST. Airplanes with banners highlighting Floyd’s …
Day 11: Before and After #30SAL
Today’s SEQUENCE Challenge Create a 2 panel sequence to compare before and after ____. #beforeandafter ATTENTION: New #tag Previously we were finding your posts by searching Instagram for #30SAL but going forward please also include the #tag title for each day. To be eligible for prizes (yes prizes!) at the end of the month, post …
Drawing A Day: Day 3
I’ll be sharing my drawings on Facebook. I’d love for you to share yours too. Maybe we’ll get some people jumping in to join us. Post your pics on the Seattle Artist League‘s Facebook, or Instagram at SeattleArtLeague. #drawingaday #seattleartleague