Trimming Flats to Filberts

Ever wondered how you can modify your flat paintbrushes to create more versatile strokes in your paintings? Join Stacy Minch in this creative and handy tutorial where she teaches you how to transform flat paintbrushes into versatile filberts. Stacy dives into the fascinating history of filbert brushes, explaining how artists originally crafted them by wearing down flat brushes over time to achieve their distinct rounded edges. Today, Stacy prefers to speed up the process using a simple and effective method.

In this video, Stacy demonstrates step-by-step how to reshape a flat brush into a filbert using nothing more than a pair of sharp scissors. She begins by flattening the brush, sometimes moistening it slightly for easier handling. With careful snips, she rounds the edges, ensuring the brush transitions smoothly from the ferrule—the metal part—to the tip, creating that desired rounded edge which is perfect for achieving soft transitions in your paintings.

Whether you’re a novice painter looking to expand your toolkit without breaking the bank, or an experienced artist interested in customizing your brushes, this video is packed with practical tips. Stacy emphasizes the importance of using sharp fabric scissors to avoid a jagged cut, ensuring a clean and effective transformation. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll be equipped to tailor your own brushes and bring a new level of finesse to your art projects. Join Stacy and learn how to create your very own filbert brush for more dynamic and fluid painting strokes!