Gotta love those funky brushes. I must have about 50 of them and it's handy to have lots in the studio. As John pointed out, they need to be absolutely clean and dry to be of any use, for the purposes he mentioned.

Here's a tip, something I do to preserve my sable brushes: clean them with "soft soap" and wrap them with toilette paper. On top of that place a clip. The form stays good and except for a small bend in the hair from the clip. It doesn't work as well with synthetic brushes.

Also, it is possible to soften some edges with a "good" brush by running the brush over the edge while it is wet. Both sides of the edge have to be wet.

Hi all,

I've nearly finished my "postmodernized" Pearl Girl. Michele, I'm going to post it in the Oil Critiques section, since it's a bit off topic at this point and it's not really an Old Master copy anymore either. If that's not the right place it can be moved to wherever you think is appropriate.

Members over at wetcanvas have been participating in this same project.

Take a peek!

Chris,

Thanks for posting that link. Twenty-five of them, and they're still coming in! I had to join that forum to be able to view these paintings, and I wasn't approved until yesterday. Some of the participants are doing copies and some are doing "interpretations", so the entries are all over the place in terms of adhering to the original. Still, it's amazing to see a whole page full of "Pearl Girls"!

I wasn't aware of the wetcanvas forum before. I've seen it mentioned, but never checked it out. It's vast: 26000 members, Yow!