I have been using short handled flats for a couple of years, buying in bulk at a reasonable cost. Painting every day certainly tells on your brushes, I am very good, cleaning them well at the end of the day but inevitably the ends begin to splay. Rosemary and Co adverts have been in every art magazine in the UK for years but I have always thought I would never be able to afford them! Every brush is handmade!
It was only after hearing Leslie Saeta interviewing Rosemary's daughter that I decided to look into them further.
I phoned for a catalogue, it arrived the next day. After scouring it from cover to cover, I followed their guidelines and phoned to speak to a member of staff, as I was just a little unsure what range would suit me and how I work.
As I said I use flats, I also like a man made fibre with a good bit of spring. I am not really keen on bristle brushes. My advisor suggested I go for the Shiraz Range, which was actually the one I had my eye on. The Ivory range is very like the finest bristle you could possibly get, he also suggested I take one to try, they will exchange if they don't suit.
The photographs show the brushes -actual size, so I just took my old brushes and laid them on the page to gauge which size to order. I chose sizes 3, 6, and 8 Shiraz and one Ivory size 6.
When I tried them for the first time, I struggled! They hold so much paint. I love the Shiraz, they are just what Rosemary and Co said they would be. I went for the extra long handle, which cost only a tiny bit more. They SCREAM quality and will last for years as long they are cleaned, dried and stored properly.
The one Ivory brush as also just what they said it would be, a very, very, fine bristle. I will use it, but for me, the Shiraz is perfect!
Lots of your top artists use nothing but Rosemary brushes, Richard Schmid, Jeremy Lipking, Daniel J Keys, Carol Marine......
Rosemary and Co are the best of British, give them a go!! Google "Rosemaryandco"
Thank you so much for this information. I think it would be worth giving them a try.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome! I cant believe how cheap they are, considering they are handmade! I know it might be a bit dearer for postage to the US in the UK if the order is under £40, they only charge £1.Good luck
DeleteThanks Margaret, I heard the show & got the catalogue too, I was undecided which brushes to try but your post has helped :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy, I don't know how they can make them for the price! How are you doing? You had any of this wet and windy weather?
ReplyDeleteI've been setting aside $50 a month for Rosemary brushes for the past three months and place an order for five or six each month. I love them. I use the Ivory and the Mongoose brushes. And they only take about a week to get here from when I order them.
ReplyDeleteWell that is a great service! I don't know how many artists use them, here in the UK but they have certainly taken off in the US by the sounds of things!
ReplyDeleteI too had been looking at them for ages and decided to "bite the bullet" this week. They arrived the next day and I LOVE them. I'm sure my painting has improved and I was very pleased with the prices. I opted for the Ivory range but having read your blog may try the Shiraz next time.
ReplyDeleteBTW I'm loving your paintings. I too am doing the challenge. It's graet fun seeing everyone's work at the end of the day.
www.moteeuwart.blogspot.co.uk
Glad you are enjoying your new brushes, I feel as if I have used nothing else,isn't it strange, it took no time to adjust!
DeleteI think I might get some Ivory ones if I ever get round to doing larger work! Are you part of the daily painters movement? Is this your first challenge.
I just saw an ad for them... your recommendation means a lot!
ReplyDeleteSo glad it was a help!! Thanks for visiting!
ReplyDelete