I wrote about my antipathy toward synthetic brushes. This photo illustrates the point I made in the linked post. The four synthetic brushes on the left are old and misshapen. In my experience, synthetics quickly lose their shape and become good for little other than effects or glazes. The best thing about them, by far, is their cheap price.
But this photo highlights another point about synthetics: they are practically indestructible. Some of my synthetics are really old, like those in the photo.
Winsor Newton Monarch brush on the right; old synthetics on the left
Recently, I tried some synthetic brushes from Winsor and Newton. W & N makes solid stuff. Their paints are my choice for mid-range oil paints. Their watercolor brushes are first-rate. So I tried their Monarch line of synthetics. One of the Monarch brushes is on the right in the photo.
I am pleasantly surprised. The brushes are the best-handling synthetics I’ve ever used, although, as one who rarely uses synthetics, my opinion might not be as well informed as some others. Anyway, the brushes handle very well, firmer than sables but less stiff than hog bristle. And–surprisingly–they are maintaining their shape. I’ve used them for a dozen oil-painting sessions and they still look like they did on the day I brought therm home.
On the downside, they are not cheap–around $10 for a #8–but if they are like other long-lived synthetics, they’re certainly worth the cost. They are a viable alternative to hog bristle flats.
I am going to try other synthetic brands. Maybe the general quality has improved since the last time I used synthetics for anything other than special effect.