Introduction: Making Your Own Paintbrushes
As an art student, buying my own brushes is expensive so I decided to make my own out of objects I had around my house.
Step 1: Preparing the Handle
Drill a hole into the object you are making your handle. In this case, I am using an old set of chopsticks. The hole needs to be big enough to fit the amount of hair/ bristles that you want but not too big that the handle breaks.
Step 2: Preping the Handle Part 2
Once you have the hole drilled, use an exacto-knife to create a cross pattern in the area you just drilled. The picture will explain it better then my words. (Sorry).
Step 3: Preparing the Bristles
Select the amount of hair you want to use for the bristles. (I didn't want to cut too much off my head so I opted for a smaller finer brush.) Use a rubber band to keep the bristles all together while preparing the glue.
Step 4: Gluing the Bristles
Glue the end of the bristles and place in the hole you drilled. Gently remove the rubber band after a few minutes. For my bigger grass brush and pen brush shown I left the rubber band on. It's up to you.
Step 5: Wrapping It Up
Use string to tighten the opening of the brush and to keep the bristles in. glue the end of the string to keep it from unraveling.
Step 6: Trim the Bristles
Trim the bristles of the brush to the desired shape. There you have it. Your very own brush.
Step 7: Some of the Brushes I Have Made
I have re-modified a pen into a paintbrush using my husbands hair.
Below is the chopstick brush with my hair.
Finally my grass and twig brush. Have fun making your own.