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.