I paint with ethically sourced or synthetic brushes and self-made implements, using eco-friendly materials whenever possible and reasonable.
My Brushes
My favorite watercolor brushes are:
- Princeton Neptune (#4750 Synthetic Squirrel): Flat 1", Round 12, Mottler 1-1/2", Dagger 1/2;
- followed by Mimik Kolinsky Round 16, Mimic Round 30, 12, 6, 4, 2, Wash 3", Rigger 2;
- and finally Sterling Edward's large brushes.
For acrylics, almost any synthetic long-handle filbert brush would do, but I prefer imitation bristle filberts. The only preference I have is the Da Vinci Cosmotop-Spin 5584, pointed oval wash, #16 and up. I had mine for 20 years.
I still gently use my repurposed from oils childhood natural hair brush, and keep my early soft goat hair calligraphy brushes.
I made a few big ones from my own long cut hair.
Other Tools
I often use sticks from the bottom layer of the orchard with varying ending to use as dip pens.
My easels are made from metal, and I use minimal amount of storage equipment (metal shelves, textile folios, etc.).