Brush Off: My Love Affair with Sign Writing Brushes
Let’s Talk Brushes.
My brushes are my ride-or-dies. They’re what turn a blank wall, a rough bit of wood, or a dusty old shopfront into something bold and full of personality. Every signwriter has their favourites, and after years of trial and error (and more than a few heartbreaks over ruined bristles), I’ve found the ones I trust.
The Brushes That Do the Heavy Lifting
First up, the Handover 2112 Series. These are the classics—100% pure Kolinsky sable hair, chisel-edged, and an absolute dream to work with. If I’m painting big, bold letters, I reach for a size 12. If I need something more delicate, a size 00 does the job. They’re reliable, smooth, and make pulling a clean line way easier.
I also love the Synthetic Chisel Edge Signwriting Brush: Series K (also from Handover). It’s a solid workhorse, a bit more forgiving than sable but still gives great results. Perfect for when I need a strong, crisp line without babying the bristles too much.
And then there’s the Mack Virus 444. If I’m adding fine details, a bit of shading, or anything with a more illustrative feel, this is the brush I grab. It’s got great control and handles the fiddly bits beautifully.
The Tool That Saves Me From Myself
I have to mention my mahl stick—a simple but crucial bit of kit. It keeps my hand steady when I’m working on long, straight lines or intricate details. Without it, I’d be wobbling all over the place like I just chugged three coffees in a row. (Which, let’s be honest, I probably have.)
Brush Care: Love Them or Lose Them
Taking care of brushes is a bit like taking care of a good wool jumper—treat them right, and they’ll last for years; neglect them, and they’ll fall apart on you. I clean mine properly after every session, use the right solvents, and occasionally oil them up to keep the bristles soft. If you ever catch me frantically rescuing a brush with conditioning oil, just look away—it’s a deeply personal moment.
What’s In My Brush Kit?
My setup is a mix of well-loved favourites and total wildcards. Alongside my trusty Handover 2112s and synthetics, my kit’s a bit of a free-for-all: Wonderwipes for cleaning up (because I will get paint everywhere), white spirit for cleaning brushes and oil for conditioning them, china graph pencils for sketching out designs, and a bunch of mini cups and wooden sticks for mixing paint. There’s always a ruler knocking about and a tin opener because paint tins seem to have a personal vendetta against me.
So, there you have it—a little behind-the-scenes on the brushes (and random essentials) that make my signs happen. If you want to see them in action (plus the inevitable chaos), follow me on Instagram. And if you’ve got a favourite brush or a horror story about the one you forgot to clean (RIP), let me know!