The Paintbrush

Ganinon

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The Paintbrush

« on: 27 November 2010, 11:20:37 »

Another entry to begin to complete the Writing Implements Overview. (If possible, I'd like the overview that is written here to replace the one on the Overview list. That old one was redundant and I think this one does a much better job of showing what the brush is.)

The Paintbrush

Overview: The Paintbrush is a common tool used by artists. They use these, along with paint, to put their imagination on canvas. All artists have unique styles of painting, and all have their strengths and weaknesses. But all art created by a skilled painter can be delightful to see. Some artists prefer to paint real things they see in front of them. Others prefer to paint from their imagination. Painters can be anyone, rich or poor, as long as they have some artistic talent. The Paintbrush helps these people reach their goals, whatever it may be.

Description: The Paintbrush can be mistaken for a wooden stick, as this is the main part of it. A wooden handle, about the length of a hand, is used when handling the Paintbrush. This handle is whittled to the correct size, sanded smooth. The thickness varies, depending on how thick of a line the artist wants to create. A thick line requires a thick handle, while a thin line only needs a thin handle. Some painters leave the handle as is, smooth and still resembling wood. Others prefer to paint the handle a color. Some just like the appearance of a colored handle, while others want to make it more noticeable and less likely to be lost or broken on accident.

The hairs of the Paintbrush can vary widely, depending on the use of the particular brush. Some animal hairs that are commonly used are: kuatu, goat, baneg cattle, wild pig, and some draught horses. Kuatu hair Paintbrushes are inexpensive and commonly used for larger Paintbrushes. Baneg cattle hairs are another inexpensive brush, which can be made into any size of brush. Goat hair is used in smaller, more accurate Paintbrushes. The tips of the hairs form delicate points that can be used to put paint exactly where it is needed. Pig hairs hold a larger amount of paint when dipped, and are used in larger brushes. Lastly, horse hair can be used to create a brush. These Paintbrushes are usually the cheapest, but the hairs do not create a very good tip.

The tips of Paintbrushes are different depending on their use. Some hairs are cut into a flat, thin line to help spread paint over the canvas evenly. This prevents any paint from dripping down and ruining the artist’s work. Another method of cutting the hairs is to have one edge to be rounded to allow the user to spread paint well, while also having an edge to be more accurate with. The “Ship Brush”(Was thinking maybe calling it a ‘Shipush’ to shorten it and give it a slightly odd name. Anyone have thoughts?) is a brush with long hairs cut to form a very small tip. These are usually used in painting of ships to add details such as riggings and faint texture to the ship itself.

The hairs are attached with the sap of a tree. When the sap is applied, it is still liquid and the hairs are bunched together and placed at one end. After the sap dries, the hairs are held in place. Besides just the sap holding the hairs, there is a small metal ring fitted around the base of the hairs. The shape of the ring varies on the type of brush. Flat brushes have a more flattened ring to hold the hairs in place. The ring goes about halfway up the length of the hairs, and prevents the hairs from bending sideways and becoming useless. The ring is usually made out of grey iron and fits snuggly around the base of the hairs and the handle.

Method of Production: The process of creating a Paintbrush can be completed by anyone who has the supplies. Shops can usually create their own, as long as they have someone who can whittle moderately well.

The whittler takes a small piece of wood, usually a palmspan and a few nailsbreadth long, and whittles it down to a handle the size of a Paintbrush they want to create. They then sand it smooth, to prevent the user from getting splinters. One end is rounded while the other is kept flat. The flat end is where the hairs of the Paintbrush are attached, while the rounded end allows an easier grip for the person using the Paintbrush. The next step is to either dip the handle into paint and let dry, or to move on to attaching the hairs.

The creator then heats up about a sip of hardened sap over the fire. Only a few drops are needed for each Paintbrush, but there are usually several being made at a time. After the sap turns to liquid, they place the ring around the flat end of the handle. They then add a few drops of sap into the hole, and place a large bunch of hairs into the hole after the sap has reached the bottom. After that, they just need to hold the hair and ring in place until the sap dries. If the creator is making a certain type of brush, this would be when he carefully cuts the hairs to have the desired shape.

Area of Production: There is usually at least one shop in every city that produces, and sells, Paintbrushes. However, if one was to travel to Bardavos, they could find Paintbrushes almost anywhere. This city is, by far, the largest producer of Paintbrushes.

There are painters all over the world that require this tool to create their masterpieces. Some have even perfected the method of creating Paintbrushes themselves to lessen the cost of materials. These self-sufficient artists can then sell or train others to create them, since the process isn’t terribly hard.

Usage: The Paintbrush is used by painters to put pictures onto canvas. The colors applied to the paper by the Paintbrush help bring the painting to life. Painters will dip the Paintbrush into paint, covering the tip thoroughly, and drag it lightly across the paper. Some of the paint clings to the hairs, while the rest is left on the canvas. When changing colors, it is advised to rinse the hairs in water to remove the previous color. It is also advised that when finished painting, to wash the hairs and remove any paint that may be left on. Once they dry, they are ready to be used all over again.

Myth/Lore: There is rumored to be a magical brush in existence that allows anyone that owns it to paint beautiful works of art. Over the course of history, several people have spent a large part of their lives searching for this brush. Some want it destroyed because it allows the user to have no artistic ability, yet paint masterpieces. Others are greedy and want this brush so they can create their own great works of art.

The compendium artist, Seeker, is believed to have a magical palette. As described in the poem “Seeker’s Palette,” the palette is said to provide him with the perfect shades of colors he needs for his paintings. When one looks at Seeker’s paintings, it is certainly believable that he holds this magical palette.


« Last Edit: 14 January 2011, 09:46:48 by Ganinon »	Logged

Valan Nonesuch

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Re: The Brush

« Reply #1 on: 27 November 2010, 12:11:06 »

I think I'll leave this one to Seeker. My computer being all confuddled and beshopped. This is Seeker's region of expertise in any case.


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Seeker

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Re: The Brush

« Reply #2 on: 02 December 2010, 12:27:59 »

Well Ganinon
You are writing an entry that is close to my heart. heart

As I read through the entry it occurs to me that you are accurately describing a paintbrush, ok well done, however what we are missing is the Santharian flavor, the details that will make the entry interesting to read. Let me provide some suggestions to point you in the right direction:

1)    THE MOST important part of the brush is the hairs. Hairs make or break the brush. I insist that we have a paragraph that talks about the importance of the hairs and that provides some details about the best sources for paint brush hairs (there are planty of beasts that they can come from) and maybe the differences between the types of hairs and why some artist prefer one over another. Do some research on terrain paintbrushes and you will see what I mean.

2)   To make the entry interesting perhaps you could mention the best store in Bardavos for purchasing the premium brushes. Maybe they make brushes from an unknown source of hair, but speculation is they use the hairs from the horsefay or something. Just an idea.

3)   Perhaps you could write a little myth at the end about a supposed magical paintbrush that allowed even a person without any artistic ability to produce wonderful works of art. This made all the true artists so angry it is rumoured the last owner of the magic brush was hunted down and the brush was destroyed. grin

These are all ideas to chew on.


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Deklitch Hardin

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Re: The Brush

« Reply #3 on: 02 December 2010, 14:17:22 »

And don't forget about Seeker's pallet of many colours.

... maybe down the track sometime I could do an entry on that? <G>


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Bard Judith

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Re: The Brush

« Reply #4 on: 02 December 2010, 22:17:49 »

Sorry, to what do you refer, Dek? I believe we do have an entry on Hues and Colours of Santharia, which does come with a nice little Flash-animated movie and a selection of common Santharian, er, hues and colours. http://www.santharia.com/standards/colours_of_santharia.htm Was this it?


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Deklitch Hardin

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Re: The Brush

« Reply #5 on: 03 December 2010, 03:22:57 »

No, it wasn't that one Judith. I was talking about the song I did on Seeker on his admission to membership. I just went looking for it and managed to find it.

It is about the 5th or 6th song down on the Odes to the team page.


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Bard Judith

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Re: The Brush

« Reply #6 on: 03 December 2010, 08:43:24 »

Ah, yes! Thank you for that reminder, because it was fun rereading that (particularly singing the colour list to myself over again.....)


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Artimidor Federkiel

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Re: The Brush

« Reply #7 on: 10 December 2010, 04:25:21 »

I see Seeker already has given you some good suggestions on what you can still add here, and Dek has given you something to add as well.

Two sans from here as well:

- It seems you're talking pretty much exclusively about the "paintbrush", because there are other brushes as well. Maybe make that clearer.

- Seeker makes a good point when talking about the hairs, also the shape of the brush is important, so that different styles of painting can be done. To get some basic ideas have a look e.g. at the Wikipedia entry on brushes. There you have a nice overview on the different types (see picture at the end of the entry), so some of these things could be added here as well. Maybe even with a Santhariarized name or something.

- I'm not a native English speaker, but the Wiki entry refers to what you've named the "rod" as the "handle". Maybe that term is more accurate.

So there are still a few things to do, but I give you an aura +1 for getting into the groove again, Ganinon, and work on the writing implements you've started way back. Nice to see another entry being made from this overview!


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Ganinon

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Re: The Brush

« Reply #8 on: 10 December 2010, 11:16:22 »

Thanks everyone for the comments. School has become very busy this last week or so and I haven't been able to find time to continue working on this. Once I find time i'll make edits according to the comments.

Thanks again everyone!


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Ganinon

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Re: The Paintbrush

« Reply #9 on: 14 January 2011, 09:47:13 »

Added in comments already given. Any more comments anyone has for this?


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Bard Judith

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Re: The Paintbrush

« Reply #10 on: 14 January 2011, 15:17:43 »

Very well, a few ideas from another artist for you to muse upon!

------------------------------------------------

The metal ring is more properly described as a sheath, and is technically called the ferrule.

Hairs, at least in good quality paintbrushes, are definitely NOT cut to form the shape. Most of the skill in creating the brush shape and tip is in bunching the hairs to create that fine 'teardrop' point that gives so much control.

Cat hair was said to make good paintbrushes for its fineness. Sable and marten are high-quality furs used in paintbrushes - the Santharian equivalent should be mentioned. Kuatu fur should make good brushes!

You detail only one shape of brush, the Ship Brush (why not 'Shipper'? Or 'Rigger'?) when the entry is just crying out for more interesting concepts like this.
There are so many in boring old Terra, I'm sure we can make this a much more comprehensive overview by adding a few Santharian types. Eg.

The Whip - an extra long-haired brush which has a very soft texture, creating an irregular flowing line
The Fanner aka The Gerissa - stiff bristles held in a fan shape, good for hair and foliage
The Liner - very fine tip, used for painting minute details or long smooth lines
The Mop - full, heavy head which holds a lot of pigment
The Prieta-foot - a stiff, flat-headed brush used for stippling
The Docher - a round, soft head which creates a dappled effect
The Washer - full head with broad tip, good for laying down 'washes' of colour
The Muddle aka the Puddler - deliberately irregular hairs create a mottled texture
The Dag or Dagger - long, sharp, stiff point which creates a very pronounced, clean line
The Cat's Tongue - round head with stiff bristles, good for blending

.... and so on...


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Valan Nonesuch

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Re: The Paintbrush

« Reply #11 on: 08 February 2011, 23:28:00 »

Still working here Gan? Always looking forward to more things for the Misc category.


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Ganinon

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Re: The Paintbrush

« Reply #12 on: 09 February 2011, 06:32:08 »

When I find the time to get some more editing done, yes. Was away this past weekend and for some reason all the teachers decide to put large projects on the same week of school... I'll hopefully get some changes done in the near future!


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The Paintbrush