These flat brushes are perfect for applying primer to canvas or boards. What makes them special is how the bristles are arranged – they're packed tightly into the ferrule but have a specially shaped tip. This means the brush keeps its shape and stays flexible even after lots of use.
Looking at the bristles under a microscope, you can see tiny hairs that interlock at the tips, which helps them stick together when wet and maintain their shape. This is different from regular flat brushes, where the bristles are just cut straight across and tend to spread out messily during use. Our Pure Bristle Varnish Brushes don't spread out – they stay neat and tidy. They work great for applying flat glazes or varnishes, whether you're using water-based or solvent-based products.
For priming, we suggest thinning your primer with 20-30% water. This helps the primer flow smoothly off the brush instead of getting stuck in the bristles. We make these brushes 5mm thick – any thicker and they'd hold too much primer, which would make your coating uneven. It's better to apply several thin coats rather than one thick coat to get a nice, flat surface that's perfect for painting on.
The brushes from 20mm to 70mm wide are INOX and have special rust-proof metal ferrules (the part that holds the bristles), so you can leave them in water without worry. The 100mm brush can rust, but we offer it for artists who need a very wide brush. The handles are plain, unfinished wood, which is actually better for water-based work. Unlike varnished handles, these won't chip or splinter, so you won't get bits of handle falling into your primer or paint while you work.
