Short Hair Marten Brush 542-000

Marten hair brush, size 000 (Lifecolor)

A fine round brush with natural marten hair in the short-tipped form. Size 000 is among the smallest used in modeling: it is meant for the eyes of figures, for small lettering, for hairline work and for touching up where a bigger brush would also reach the surroundings.

What makes a short tip different

A long tip holds more paint and suits flowing strokes, but on contact it bends and the mark runs away. A short tip is stiffer, so the stroke begins exactly where the brush is set down. For work that is about position and not about the length of the stroke, that is a substantial difference. Natural marten hair also draws itself into a point and springs back, which a synthetic cannot manage in this size.

How to keep the brush in condition

• Take paint onto the hair only, never up to the ferrule
• After work, wash the brush out with lukewarm water and brush soap
• Shape the tip with your fingers and let it dry lying flat
• Do not leave the brush standing in water, as the hair will curl permanently
• Leave solvents and aggressive cleaners for synthetic brushes

Who the brush is for

• Figure painters working on the finest details
• Modelers adding small lettering and markings
• Anyone touching up details after masking
• Anyone interested in natural hair instead of synthetic
• Builders finishing small parts by hand

A brush of this size is a consumable tool: even with careful upkeep the tip will eventually spread, so it pays to keep it for fine work and to leave coarser strokes to a bigger brush.