How to Make a Paint Brush

Making your own paint brushes is a satisfying pursuit that gives you more control and artistic freedom when painting. Experimenting with different materials will give a different look to your brush strokes. While traditional paint brushes were usually made of animal hair, you can make paint brushes from nearly any fiber.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Handle
• Fibers
• Glue
• String
• Sandpaper (optional)

1. Choose the material for your paint brush handle. For the handle, any stick that is between 8 and 12 inches long with a 1/2- to 3/4-inch circumference works well. Dowels, twigs or pencils are a few options. If there are rough spots on your chosen handle, you may want to lightly sand them to prevent splinters.

2. Choose the material for your brush. Nearly any fibrous material will work. Horse hair, fibrous plant material, grass, shredded fabric or string are popular options. Your fiber needs to be 2 inches in length and at least 1 inch in width when it is gathered together. Smooth the fibers so they are laying evenly against each other.

3. Coat the bottom 1/2 inch of your handle in glue. Carefully attach the fiber to the glue, making sure to completely surround the stick. Allow the glue to dry. Then add another thin layer of glue on top of the fiber, being careful not to get glue on the loose ends that are not on the handle.

4. Tie the string around the fiber and handle before the second coat of glue dries. Tightly wrap it around three to five times. Tie it off and trim the loose ends of the string. Allow the glue to dry completely.

5. Trim the fibers if necessary to give your brush shape. Wet the brush and shape the tip with your fingers, then allow it to dry. Once dry, it is ready for use.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment on different mediums with different brushes to find interesting combinations.
• If using animal hair, wash and dry it before use.

Resources

• Information on cleaning and caring for paint brushes