Skunk and Deer Bristle Sumi-e Brush – Long Bristle Bamboo Brush

This handmade Sumi-e brush combines skunk and deer bristle to create a long, soft, and highly responsive brush for expressive mark-making.

The extended bristle length allows the brush to move and bend freely through the stroke, creating a wide range of marks depending on pressure, speed, angle, and the amount of ink in the brush. Load it fully for broad, fluid strokes and washes, or work with less moisture to create broken lines, texture and more unpredictable marks.

The combination of skunk and deer bristle gives the brush softness and flexibility while retaining enough structure to respond to the movement of the hand. The long tapered profile can move from broad marks into finer lines as pressure is released.

The bamboo handle is individually burned and finished by hand, emphasizing the natural structure and variations of the bamboo. Its length also makes it comfortable to hold farther back from the bristle for loose, gestural mark-making.

Best For

• Sumi-e and ink painting
• Expressive mark making
• Broad, fluid strokes
• Fine to broad line variation
• Gestural drawing
• Dry-brush and broken marks
• Watercolor and other water-based media

Performance

• Blend of natural skunk and deer bristle
• Long, soft and flexible bristle
• Generous ink and water capacity
• Tapered profile for varied line width
• Responsive to pressure, speed and direction
• Creates both fluid and broken marks
• Excellent for loose, gestural movement

Specifications

• Overall length: approximately 9.5 inches
• Bristle length: approximately 4.5 inches
• Skunk and deer bristle
• Natural bamboo handle
• Hand-burned and finished bamboo
• Handmade individually in my Montana studio

Care

Rinse thoroughly with cool or lukewarm water immediately after use. Gently reshape the bristle with your fingers and allow the brush to dry completely before storing. Do not leave the brush standing in water.

Natural bristle and bamboo vary from piece to piece, so each brush will have subtle differences in appearance and character.