Artist Brush Materials

Bristle is a hog bristle often used in artist brushes.  It carries liquids, maintains shape and stiffness is use over a long period of time.

Ox Hair is fiber developed from the ears of cattle or oxen and is very silky to the touch.  This hair is strong, resilient hair more rigid than sable, but as stiff as natural bristle.

Red Sable is a reddish-brown color made from weasel hair.  Soft brush hair comes from the tail of a weasel.  Less resilient to solvent and chemicals used in oils.

Black Sable is a natural hair from precious fur coats.  It typically comes from the tail of the weasel.  It carries a lot of fluid and becomes springy and soft.

Pony Hair is fine hair from the belly of a horse.  It is strong, resilient and slightly coarse and very absorbent material.

Camel Hair is not made of camel hair, yet from various inexpensive hairs such as pony, bear, sheep, and lesser grades of squirrel mixed together.  This soft-haired material most commonly used in inexpensive brushes.