back to the brushes

[johncomic]

A couple weeks ago I did comparison testing on my good brushes in my quest to learn brush inking. Since then, on the basis of recommendations, I ordered a couple more models to try out: the Escoda Reserva 1212 [the one that came in a giant box] and the Rosemary Series 22 Designer. Both have now arrived and I tried them out, with results below:



Rosemary - the first thing I noticed on this baby is that the point is astonishing! It's even finer and more resilient than the legendary Winsor & Newton Series 7! I can get finer lines out of this one than any other brush I have tried. However, that is not necessarily the plus it might sound like: after a certain point, lines can become too fine to print properly in comics, and so a line that is too fine to print doesn't really do you any good, right? I also noticed that the Rosemary does not have the capacity or flow of the W&N, it was hard for me to get a long line out of it. For that reason I'd have to call this one a close second to the W&N, but, that being said, it is still mighty impressive!



Escoda - I gotta confess, I ended up disappointed here. Primarily because my hopes were raised by people saying it was at least as good as the W&N, I suppose... anyway, the one I have doesn't have the capacity or flow of the W&N. But more to the point (or lack thereof): the Escoda starts off looking like it has a gorgeous point when I wet it in my mouth (which I do)... but when I then dip it in the ink, the point widens and grows ragged! I have to literally struggle with it to get it to form a good point! I've never seen a brush behave like that before... Once I do get it properly pointed, it works very well, at least as easy to handle as the Rosemary... but then the next dip ruins the point again! Seems to me that I have an oddball misfire that is very cranky to work with. Maybe someday I can try another one and see if this one is a fluke or not. But for the time being, I am gonna call this one my #3 choice, about on a par with my Isabey -- I could manage with it, but it isn't the joy to use that my W&N is. Live and learn, eh?