Sables and squirrels suffer and die in captivity for your natural brushes, is it worth it? Synthetics are great nowadays, no need to torment animals....
I was waiting for a comment like this to pop up. As a non-vegan, I personally don't see a difference between animals dying for fur, meat, eggs, cosmetics, the medical industry etc... I think all are horrible which is why my stance is to shop responsibly and focus more on my carbon footprint and impact on the environment as a whole. Part of that is adopting a slower consumption model and buying only what I need, favoring vintage and second hand more than new. And while yes, I understand the ethical impact of my brush (as well as the milk in my coffee and the testing that was required to bring my lipstick to market), I buy less and treasure more. I can only speak for myself but I think the carbon footprint of a set of good handmade brushes that will last me the next 20 years is better than regularly throwing out plastic brushes that are not built to last. This is a highly personal decision though and I respect anyone whose opinion differs from mine. Thanks for your comment.
@@Pointebrush The quality of synthetic brushes is so high nowadays that they perfectly replace natural ones, and if you take proper care of them, they will be much more durable and even eternal.
Synthetic= plastic, that remains in the environment. I still have an expensive watercolour brush I bought 44 yrs ago. I must add silicone/ hot glue to unwobble the ferrule. Glycerine can be used to moisture the hairs.
@@panibarcelona1935I still have my mother's and my great aunts natural brushes they've lasted two and a half lifetimes now because they were handmade and they taught me how to take care of them want to know how quickly my very new very synthetic brushes lasted? Put it to you this way I bought them in late 2023 and the three brushes that I bought are now used to stir my paint. Sometimes you got to think about the things in this world like rabbits. You know what rabbits were put on this earth to be? Their whole biology is actually set up to be food. I have a rabbit I love my rabbit my rabbit gets to romp around my house I adore it it does not take away from the fact that they were put on this planet to be food. Every animal and every plant on this planet has a purpose I'm not saying that it's just to be here to make a fur coat for us but have you seen what happened to Australia with rabbits? Carbon footprint, balance, and not letting emotion make us react is a lot smarter than just going after anyone and everyone for using any type of animal product. Synthetic does equal plastic and plastic is killing this planet. What happens to all the animals then? That includes us. There are things that are out of our control we can't necessarily change all of those things The only thing we can control in situations like that is how we react to them. When you react in the way you do all it does is turn people away and make them not want to listen or read but if you instead pick your battles you can then really make changes to this world we live in. So you can keep going after artists that use a good company to make a handmade product or you can use the gray matter that we are lucky enough to have to fight the microplastics that are ending up in everything including us. Just so you know nylon is a polyamide made from petroleum and polyester is a conglomerate of a polymer production of cold air water and petroleum products. Either way it's both animals and either way something's going to suffer The problem is is with plastics everybody does.
For all the people out there that are skipping this video because of the animals and saying that they are the same if you actually watch the video you will see her Yes testing out a couple sable brushes then testing out a blend and then testing out a brand new brush from this company called the red dot line which is made to do the thing that you would like them to do which is make a brush that will act like a natural brush. I hate to say this again but we miss out on so much critical information when we let our emotions control our reactions. Some things are out of our control and the only thing we can do is control how we react to them but when we react in such a way that we decide to bypass or lash out on somebody and skip videos without seeing till the end we miss out on ways that we can actually help show people a different way or a different path or a different product. If we want to make a better world we have to be better and I don't mean just with our treatment to animals but more importantly our treatment to anybody who differs in opinion than us. If we don't then all we're going to do is end up blowing up this beautiful planet of ours and then where will any animal is including us be? We'll all be extinct
They aren't the same, obviously. Real hair brushes are a cruelly made luxury and synthetic brushes are not. There is a difference between necessity and luxury-food and medicine are necessity. Cosmetics and art brushes that have alternatives are cruel luxuries. And yes, meat IS a necessity for some. I have PCOS. I tried to stay away from meat for a few years and had chronic anemia as a result. Once I started eating meat again, my health slowly improved and the nutrient deficiencies and anemia were eventually healed. These art brushes are not a byproduct of meat or medical industry and I doubt the whole animal is used, but instead disposed of after a little hair is taken.
It is absolutely ridiculous putting animals before people, for any reason. We don't know what is going on in their personal lives. It takes one negative comment that can push a person over the edge. My best friend, 58, college educated and a thriving business committed suicide as a direct result of adults bullying her. Her business was very animal oriented. The bullying was due to doing things differently. The keyboard hoodlums now have to live with their actions. I let them know daily as well. If you don't like what a person does, or buys..Go Away. If you can't say something nice, shut the fk up. Happy day to you all. 😊😊😊 God Bless.
I love how you went from fur to thermonuclear war in one short passage, lol. Lately, the world feels like that a lot of the time, so it fits. My take is that using animal brushes is cruel, unless the fur is a waste product from another process. It makes me feel ill to think of sable or squirrels living out their life in a cosmetic testing facility or being bred just for their fur. However, if someone saved the fur after eating the meat of a wild animal, or collected road kill to make brushes, I would be more understanding. That said, synthetic brushes are not some perfect solution either. The bristles are made from plastics that are extruded from tiny jets, and sometimes stretched or manipulated in another way. Yes, plastics, as in fossil fuels that harm the environment while extracting and processing. Microplastics are horrible for us and for the environment, and the fine filiments used in brushes, fabrics, pillow stuffing, etc. are the biggest source of microplastic pollution. Sometimes it feels like you can't accomplish anything in modern society without it leaving a trail of destruction behind you. Hating on each other doesn't fix any of it, brings negativity, and harms the mental health of us all. The truth is that we need to make major changes, educate one another kindly, listen with an open mind, expose truth, and yes, make sacrifices. Nobody needs natural bristles or synthetic bristles. We could literally cut our own hair and make brushes that work great, with a little practice. We want the convenience and consistency of well made brushes because it's easier, and because companies feed us a steady diet of marketing romance that mix emotions into our art supplies. That said, a few small paint brushes is a teeny tiny issue in comparison to the massive cruelties and environmental disasters unfolding across the world right now. I choose to use synthetic brushes, and care for them lovingly so they last a long time. I might even try making mop brushes out of my own hair, because who knows? I won't be hating on other people for their choices, because that is a cruelty in it's own way. I will share knowledge instead, and encourage others to think critically about their choices. Most of all, I will think carefully about how I can create art within limitations. Perhaps sacrificing some materials with a negative impact will make me stretch my creative muscles and lead to something beautiful.
Thank you for making this great point. Everyone it seems are so ready to be offended before learning or listening. It’s just awful what our world has come to.
Mother, wife, ballerina, artist, teacher, comedian, Oscar award worthy movie maker, always teaches me something and brings a smile to my face. You are special. 💖
Do you know what the best is with her catalogue? The brushes are fotographed in their real size! No joke. This is so amazing. Everytime I wonder whether I should get this or that from here (and I have a lot), I compare the sizes with brush’s I already own. I love her brushes and can’t recommend them enough.
I love your whimsy videos openings these days ❤ I do own quite a number of Rosemary’s brushes, but I don’t have a lot of good things to say about them. I initially bought one from my local art store to try and loved it, but the ones I bought after my first were a mixed bag. My travel mop quill was bent even though it was wrapped and sealed from factory, and the cap was a nightmare to open. My other kolinsky round couldn’t keep a point after removing the gum Arabic that was keeping the brush bristles safe for transportation/shipment. My other friend’s brushes arrived with bristles completely frayed. Some TH-camrs also have unboxed their Rosemary brushes like so. My last and final gripe is that, not all the brushes are labeled. While I only owned her travel brushes due to the high praise from Jane Blundell, I hate that I have to open the caps in order to find out what brushes I was holding. Granted this can be solved by manually labeling it myself, but why label some and not all? TLDR; the need to tighten up their quality control, there’s too many inconsistencies. But please do some Michael Harding swatches and test! Would love to get your take on them
The Red Dot is really impressive. One no go about synthetic brush is the abrupt end to your color, just as you have demonstrated in Princeton brush. But the Red Dot was able to replicate that natural transition. I'm not vegan or anything, but haha I can't say I don't feel bad the first time I learned that weasel hair is sold by their tail. Like they harvest the tail, and sell the actual tails. Brush makers then shave the fur off and make brush. I was a little over 10 at the time when I was at the brush workshop, and I really said "so they chop the weasel tail and make brushes?" 😂 But no seriously, with experience, I found that when you're doing fine detail, you NEED a brush that holds volume while maintaining a fine point, and when you need a mop brush, you NEED one that can carry water around. For me I can justify a few essential natural brushes that I have used for almost a decade already.
I really enjoy your videos. There are unlike any others on TH-cam. The dramatic and comical points are spot on. I then stay for the information. Great job.
I’m not very deep into the whole natural vs synthetic because I’ve only ever been able to afford synthetic…and crappy ones at that! But the Red Dot was really impressive! I’m looking at the website now and I like that they are actively trying to make affordable and eco-friendly options that are still high quality and actually mimic the natural hair brushes. The price of the Red Dot is….wow! I might have to get one or two of those!
My husband bought me three Kalinski brushes and they are THE BEST brushes. Hold a lot of water, feels great on the paper. I love them. Hardly use any other brushes.
Ha, that really made me laugh, Rosemary & Co are based near where I live, I've got load of their Red Dot brushes and the Eradicator brush is an absolute must! another fabulous video Margot ❤
@@Pointebrush honestly Margot, the eradicators are just genius, it's like having a magic brush that just removes all your stupid mistakes in one go! Great for lifting out and creating "white/slightly coloured :D" space when you've forgotten to add the clouds or similar!
Really enjoyable and informative. Back when dinosaurs wandered the earth I bought a WN #8 Kolinsky for about $30 (They’re now over $150). Great brush. But, it needs replacing now and I’d rather use a synthetic. Wow, so impressed with the Red Dot series.
WN’s quality has nosedived too so a brand like this which brings it’s A game, and with synthetics no less is definitely worth a serious look. Ps. Since you were alive back then, be honest was T-Rex all he was cracked up to be? 🦖
I love Rosemary brushes, and their customer service is great. My husband bought me some brushes for Xmas as a gift and had requested gift packaging. Rosemary added a $100 gift certificate to his order!! It was a wonderful surprise and I was able to order some speciality brushes I had my eyes on.
I love Wind River Arts! It’s run by a lovely husband & wife team that are friendly and knowledgeable. Go to Wind River Arts if you want Kolinsky sable brushes (which R&Co, for import restriction reasons, won’t ship to the US - but their US distributor, Wind River Arts, will.)
Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Loved the little Lego skit. Please with the Michael Harding. I could be wrong, but you didn't seem overly thrilled with them like everyone else is. I'd love to hear your thoughts! -Even your brush testing pages were beautiful!
Hahaha love how what is not said can say as much as what is said 😂 My relation with MH has been… complicated let’s say that. But definitely worth the conversation! 🔥
Oh dear! Having tried Rosemary's Red Dot brushes and found them excellent performers and value, I now find that I must try at least some of their synthetic blends and sables. Buying more brushes. How dreadful. At least it makes a change from buying more paint... like the four varied tubes of yellow that I purchased this week to add to the six varied tubes that I already had. Where does it end? Where?
Thank you for the tests and comparisons. If one is working small and frugal, the synthetic seems better. It's not only because the brush itself is cheaper, but because you waste less pigment (especially if you have only one brush and are working in many colors in a small piece). You dispose of less pigment into the wash cup.
Thank you for a great review of this companies products. I am one to check reviews before i buy things to keep from wasting money so I'm always grateful for honest reviews. Some ppl just push products for the commission, and when i find the products to not be so great i feel so frustrated and cheated out of my money.
I didn't read every comment, but I'm surprised they didn't send you an eradicator brush to try. It's the best "erasing" brush I've ever tried. Also, it's the only brush I've ever tried from Rosemary and Co. I'm going to try a few more after watching your video.
Oh goodness, after watching this, I ordered the Set 65--an introduction set of the Red Dot collection, along with 2 additional Red Dot brushes. Can't wait to get them and try them out! I'd heard of the brand before, but have never tried them.
This is such a useful video. Thank you, Margot. I've purchased a lot of watercolours and some other mediums recently, so I'm now ready to add upgrades to my watercolour kit. I'm currently using pro-arte synthetic brushes that I mostly purchased about 26 years ago, back at art college, that I never used. Perfect timing and such useful observations.
The Red Dot series also comes with shorter bristles as “spotter” brushes. They are not in the catalogue but can be found online. They hold slightly less water but are brilliant for details and the price is amazing! I bought a few of them and use them a lot. They were recommended by another TH-cam watercolour artist (but since they had their own brush range don’t mention them anymore, unfortunately…)
This was a great fun video! I was 5 steps ahead of you by having her catalog but I have not bought a brush or sets of brushes yet. I really appreciate your doing this testing of the brushes. Also thank you for explaining the meaning of the Red Dot 🔴 because it was something I didn’t know. I definitely appreciate the catalog too as an encyclopedia of information about brushes in general for a variety of mediums too. After seeing your reviews on these, I need to really order myself some new brushes.
Great information on watercolor brushes. So much to learn . I’m flabbergasted by how inexpensive the Red Dot brush is 😮. Yes PLEASE 🙏 do a Michael Harding demo. His watercolor paints don’t get the love and attention they deserve. Another fantastic entertaining video. ❤🎉
That 1" flat is just what I've been needing, it's on order with your discount, thank you!! I always look forward to your videos, so much fun and informative.
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Love, love, love, the music metaphor - Margot, you are an art education diva!
I ordered a catalogue because of one of your videos. Since receiving it, I’ve been perusing the catalogue, and trying to decide which brush to get. Then here comes this video, right on time. Thank you for the tip, and another entertaining, and helpful video. I love your creative take on watercolor, while educating us on all the nuances. I will definitely get a red dot brush and a few more.
Such a fun and educational vid! I too have heard so much about Rosemary & Co. Thank you for an excellent demo of each product! I love my Kolinsky brush from 15 years ago, and have treasured it. But am due for a treat... Am so glad you demo'd a number of different types and fibers and explained them.❤
I also love Michael Harding's watercolour paints. They remind me of M. Graham paints, but I think they have more pigment load. It's hard for me to say which professional paints are my favorite - because I love me all - but Michael Harding is definitely up there.
The Kolinsky sable - as well as the "regular" sable - are not rodents. They are mustelids (the weasel family). The Kolinsky sable is a type of weasel and the "regular" sable is a type of marten. They are carnivorous animals related to otters, badgers, skunks, and wolverines.
Oops - it appears that biologists have created a separate family for the skunk - Mephitidae. It's no longer considered a mustelid (Mustelidae). Today I learned...! :)
Thank you so much for this awesome video! You are so amazing! I have learned so very much from this video and will be ordering a set of them. They are a UK company so understand the shipping cost is Fed X rates..a bit pricey.
Great video and holy moly to the Red Dot!!They have a sale once a year where you get a grab bag for ridiculously cheap! They try really hard too to match the brushes to your style of painting :)
I love your videos ! I recognized that box as soon as I saw it , how ironic I received mine today ! Fabulous brushes and craftsmanship, they take such care in their packaging and her catalog I am drooling over ! I ordered the Anna Mason set and I can’t wait to try these brushes , the eradicator brushes are a must have in my collection as well ! I’ve been seeing Michael Harding tube sets on Amazon and am curious about them , I almost exclusively use M Graham ! Thank you for explaining these brushes , I will be ordering that wash brush for sure !
So glad you reviewed Rosemary & Co brushes! It’s all I use- love them! I’ve been needing a good wash brush- the flat washes will be added to my next order! 😊
I love Rosemary brushes but have never gotten a catalogue with my order. I wonder if that is a new thing? The catalogue looks like a great reference guide.
Your videos are always fun and educational - even if I was not learning to paint (create) I would watch as you really do add the pizzaz to your videos and explain things in a way that is not patronising but is encouraging and makes me believe I can achieve - Thank-you x
4:00 I'm very guilty of this, woops! It's a miracle any of my brushes still work haha I love how you broke down each brush and how they can be used, I tend to mostly use rounds and flats so that was really interesting!
Great video, I bought a set from Rosemary and Co not long ago, I am a beginner and my paintings have been great. Now I need to figure out how to make prints
Pretty new to watercolor, but already I've learned paper and brushes are the most important aspects of creating something fun. Thanks for reviewing these brushes. I have bought many promising brushes with less than stellar results. 🤑 Guess I could glue a pin on the handle end and play darts!
I love Rosemary and co! I need to get a couple more. The dot series is great for cruelty free and has great snap. Doesn’t keep its point long. But I use more than one brush. I’m a Kristy Rice in that manner. The elongated cat’s tongue is fantastic! And their daggers. I like the sable blend on which you got!
Love this video (all of yours actually) Thank you for describing each brush! Learned a lot! And may I say Michael Harding paint has pigment loads that are amazing! Love his line also! WIN WIN WIN❤️YAY.. 🙂
I’m sorry, but while I love Rosemary brushes, and I have bunches of them for both watercolor and oil, I found the Princeton Aqua Elite to surpass the Red Dot by quite a bit. Along with the Rosemary and Princeton brushes, I also did my test with Escoda Versatil and the Princeton Heritage. Just my thoughts.
beginner mulling over which synthetic sable to purchase, leaning toward aqua elite. just ordered Rosemary & Co set 65 directly from their site. thank you for this review
Great review - I have a few Rosemary & Co, and have a lot in my trolley waiting....I wish I had bought them earlier. Also, I am now switching slowly to Michael Harding, I LOVE them! Please review your colours, would love to see them, thanks Margot
Ive never heard of this company before, i just ordered a catalogue! I only own a total of 6 brushes , and the prices of the ones youve shared seem really good! -edit- Apparently the US is the only country in the world that bans the import of kolinsky Sable?!? Or so says the website 😮
They really are a steal, especially when you see much lower quality brushes costing significantly more. The US doesn’t altogether ban it but they do restrict the import of Kolinsky. Rosemary does have a seller here who stocks the full range including kolinskies. It’s called Wind River Arts in Texas.
OMG!!! Margot, only on your channel I feel like I’m in arts school, but it’s not a boring lecture. I have Princeton synthetic brushes in my collection and as I’m just starting out, I never understood why I should invest in blends or natural bristles. Until now!!! When you showed Princeton heritage 6, which I use all the time I really saw the difference 😮 and at that moment I understood that I always get annoyed on how quickly it looses pigment and needs to be loaded again… true aha moment 🤓
As I watched you learn about the second brush…it was a pointed sable brush, I started wondering if you had experimented with Japanese calligraphy. They use similar shaped brushes to draw their exquisite characters. The artistry in Asian calligraphy is often jaw dropping in its detail and beauty.
I have a natural hair dagger which I love for loose work, but I find it very difficult to be precises. I also have a synthetic dagger which has a great spring but terrible carry load. I'm in the market for a new one and this one looks great. I've requested a catalogue for now so I can have a thorough browse before I buy. Still watching the video so there may be more wants. I dropped your name in the Where Did You Hear About Us box. Thank you Margot! ❤
No synthetic brush hold it's point as good or have as good a water hold or spring as natural hair brushes, not for very long at least. My natural hair brushes though, those have lasted forever, i haven't had to replace any of them in a very long time. that said, it only matters with rounds, i feel like you can use wathever when it comes to flats (just my opinion though!)
Lucky you... I just spent a fortune on brushes with them last week... they're on their way, so curious to see how they compare to what I've used for the past decade. I didn't order anything organic though, only synthetic brushes, I refuse to use those made from animal hairs.
Interesting comparison, but... I like to wipe out and remove colour sometimes to leave paler stripes. Can you please do a follow up video on this technique please, with the best wipe out brush!
For lifting, scrubbing and moving pigment off the page, nothing beats synthetic brushes in my opinion. Rosemary actually has a brush called “the eradicator” (sounds like terminator 🤖 🤣) for the precisely purpose of removing paint from the page. I haven’t tried it but I have to admit I’m very intrigued!
Fantastic explanation of how brushes actually function! The microscopic views really brought it home. All the virtue signaling in the comments is HILARIOUS... 😂
Hi Margot, I love you channel. I was wondering where you got your brush holder, I like that your brushes are flat and not incline like with other ones I’ve seen. Thank you ❤
Sables are weasels, not rodents ..rodents have a single set of incisors that continually grow through the animals' entire life. ...yep that was my being "that guy" moment.
Nothing wrong with you. You just point out her mistake, and since people are supposed to learn through this video, I Think it is important that all information is right. So thank you.
I tried to order a catalog on line and it says my email address is invalid. I know it's not. I hope my order goes through. I really want to purchase some of the brushes. Thank you for sharing this with us. Love all your videos and your artwork is awesome
Sables and squirrels suffer and die in captivity for your natural brushes, is it worth it?
Synthetics are great nowadays, no need to torment animals....
I was waiting for a comment like this to pop up. As a non-vegan, I personally don't see a difference between animals dying for fur, meat, eggs, cosmetics, the medical industry etc... I think all are horrible which is why my stance is to shop responsibly and focus more on my carbon footprint and impact on the environment as a whole. Part of that is adopting a slower consumption model and buying only what I need, favoring vintage and second hand more than new. And while yes, I understand the ethical impact of my brush (as well as the milk in my coffee and the testing that was required to bring my lipstick to market), I buy less and treasure more. I can only speak for myself but I think the carbon footprint of a set of good handmade brushes that will last me the next 20 years is better than regularly throwing out plastic brushes that are not built to last. This is a highly personal decision though and I respect anyone whose opinion differs from mine. Thanks for your comment.
Very good points. It's not easy but the animals still suffer.
@@Pointebrush The quality of synthetic brushes is so high nowadays that they perfectly replace natural ones, and if you take proper care of them, they will be much more durable and even eternal.
Synthetic= plastic,
that remains in the environment.
I still have an expensive watercolour brush I bought 44 yrs ago. I must add silicone/ hot glue to unwobble the ferrule. Glycerine can be used to moisture the hairs.
@@panibarcelona1935I still have my mother's and my great aunts natural brushes they've lasted two and a half lifetimes now because they were handmade and they taught me how to take care of them want to know how quickly my very new very synthetic brushes lasted? Put it to you this way I bought them in late 2023 and the three brushes that I bought are now used to stir my paint. Sometimes you got to think about the things in this world like rabbits. You know what rabbits were put on this earth to be? Their whole biology is actually set up to be food. I have a rabbit I love my rabbit my rabbit gets to romp around my house I adore it it does not take away from the fact that they were put on this planet to be food. Every animal and every plant on this planet has a purpose I'm not saying that it's just to be here to make a fur coat for us but have you seen what happened to Australia with rabbits? Carbon footprint, balance, and not letting emotion make us react is a lot smarter than just going after anyone and everyone for using any type of animal product. Synthetic does equal plastic and plastic is killing this planet. What happens to all the animals then? That includes us. There are things that are out of our control we can't necessarily change all of those things The only thing we can control in situations like that is how we react to them. When you react in the way you do all it does is turn people away and make them not want to listen or read but if you instead pick your battles you can then really make changes to this world we live in. So you can keep going after artists that use a good company to make a handmade product or you can use the gray matter that we are lucky enough to have to fight the microplastics that are ending up in everything including us. Just so you know nylon is a polyamide made from petroleum and polyester is a conglomerate of a polymer production of cold air water and petroleum products. Either way it's both animals and either way something's going to suffer The problem is is with plastics everybody does.
For all the people out there that are skipping this video because of the animals and saying that they are the same if you actually watch the video you will see her Yes testing out a couple sable brushes then testing out a blend and then testing out a brand new brush from this company called the red dot line which is made to do the thing that you would like them to do which is make a brush that will act like a natural brush. I hate to say this again but we miss out on so much critical information when we let our emotions control our reactions. Some things are out of our control and the only thing we can do is control how we react to them but when we react in such a way that we decide to bypass or lash out on somebody and skip videos without seeing till the end we miss out on ways that we can actually help show people a different way or a different path or a different product. If we want to make a better world we have to be better and I don't mean just with our treatment to animals but more importantly our treatment to anybody who differs in opinion than us. If we don't then all we're going to do is end up blowing up this beautiful planet of ours and then where will any animal is including us be? We'll all be extinct
Well said! ❤
They aren't the same, obviously. Real hair brushes are a cruelly made luxury and synthetic brushes are not. There is a difference between necessity and luxury-food and medicine are necessity. Cosmetics and art brushes that have alternatives are cruel luxuries. And yes, meat IS a necessity for some. I have PCOS. I tried to stay away from meat for a few years and had chronic anemia as a result. Once I started eating meat again, my health slowly improved and the nutrient deficiencies and anemia were eventually healed. These art brushes are not a byproduct of meat or medical industry and I doubt the whole animal is used, but instead disposed of after a little hair is taken.
It is absolutely ridiculous putting animals before people, for any reason. We don't know what is going on in their personal lives. It takes one negative comment that can push a person over the edge. My best friend, 58, college educated and a thriving business committed suicide as a direct result of adults bullying her. Her business was very animal oriented. The bullying was due to doing things differently. The keyboard hoodlums now have to live with their actions. I let them know daily as well. If you don't like what a person does, or buys..Go Away. If you can't say something nice, shut the fk up. Happy day to you all. 😊😊😊 God Bless.
I love how you went from fur to thermonuclear war in one short passage, lol. Lately, the world feels like that a lot of the time, so it fits.
My take is that using animal brushes is cruel, unless the fur is a waste product from another process. It makes me feel ill to think of sable or squirrels living out their life in a cosmetic testing facility or being bred just for their fur. However, if someone saved the fur after eating the meat of a wild animal, or collected road kill to make brushes, I would be more understanding.
That said, synthetic brushes are not some perfect solution either. The bristles are made from plastics that are extruded from tiny jets, and sometimes stretched or manipulated in another way. Yes, plastics, as in fossil fuels that harm the environment while extracting and processing. Microplastics are horrible for us and for the environment, and the fine filiments used in brushes, fabrics, pillow stuffing, etc. are the biggest source of microplastic pollution.
Sometimes it feels like you can't accomplish anything in modern society without it leaving a trail of destruction behind you. Hating on each other doesn't fix any of it, brings negativity, and harms the mental health of us all. The truth is that we need to make major changes, educate one another kindly, listen with an open mind, expose truth, and yes, make sacrifices.
Nobody needs natural bristles or synthetic bristles. We could literally cut our own hair and make brushes that work great, with a little practice. We want the convenience and consistency of well made brushes because it's easier, and because companies feed us a steady diet of marketing romance that mix emotions into our art supplies. That said, a few small paint brushes is a teeny tiny issue in comparison to the massive cruelties and environmental disasters unfolding across the world right now.
I choose to use synthetic brushes, and care for them lovingly so they last a long time. I might even try making mop brushes out of my own hair, because who knows? I won't be hating on other people for their choices, because that is a cruelty in it's own way. I will share knowledge instead, and encourage others to think critically about their choices. Most of all, I will think carefully about how I can create art within limitations. Perhaps sacrificing some materials with a negative impact will make me stretch my creative muscles and lead to something beautiful.
Thank you for making this great point. Everyone it seems are so ready to be offended before learning or listening. It’s just awful what our world has come to.
Mother, wife, ballerina, artist, teacher, comedian, Oscar award worthy movie maker, always teaches me something and brings a smile to my face. You are special. 💖
Mwahhh 😘😘😘😘
Do you know what the best is with her catalogue? The brushes are fotographed in their real size! No joke. This is so amazing. Everytime I wonder whether I should get this or that from here (and I have a lot), I compare the sizes with brush’s I already own. I love her brushes and can’t recommend them enough.
Even if I didn’t enjoy your paintings I’d watch your channel for the fun, dramatic videos! So much fun watching and learning from you. TFS
Thank you so much for your kind words! They mean the world to me 🙏
I love your whimsy videos openings these days ❤ I do own quite a number of Rosemary’s brushes, but I don’t have a lot of good things to say about them. I initially bought one from my local art store to try and loved it, but the ones I bought after my first were a mixed bag.
My travel mop quill was bent even though it was wrapped and sealed from factory, and the cap was a nightmare to open. My other kolinsky round couldn’t keep a point after removing the gum Arabic that was keeping the brush bristles safe for transportation/shipment. My other friend’s brushes arrived with bristles completely frayed. Some TH-camrs also have unboxed their Rosemary brushes like so.
My last and final gripe is that, not all the brushes are labeled. While I only owned her travel brushes due to the high praise from Jane Blundell, I hate that I have to open the caps in order to find out what brushes I was holding. Granted this can be solved by manually labeling it myself, but why label some and not all?
TLDR; the need to tighten up their quality control, there’s too many inconsistencies. But please do some Michael Harding swatches and test! Would love to get your take on them
Thanks I had not heard this opinion. Will consider
@@LCLand I’m glad that you’ll take my opinion into consideration. Don’t get me wrong, the good ones were great but the bad were bad.
The Red Dot is really impressive. One no go about synthetic brush is the abrupt end to your color, just as you have demonstrated in Princeton brush. But the Red Dot was able to replicate that natural transition. I'm not vegan or anything, but haha I can't say I don't feel bad the first time I learned that weasel hair is sold by their tail. Like they harvest the tail, and sell the actual tails. Brush makers then shave the fur off and make brush. I was a little over 10 at the time when I was at the brush workshop, and I really said "so they chop the weasel tail and make brushes?" 😂
But no seriously, with experience, I found that when you're doing fine detail, you NEED a brush that holds volume while maintaining a fine point, and when you need a mop brush, you NEED one that can carry water around. For me I can justify a few essential natural brushes that I have used for almost a decade already.
I really enjoy your videos. There are unlike any others on TH-cam. The dramatic and comical points are spot on. I then stay for the information. Great job.
I love that you’re having fun. I’m an AFOL so that intro was too cute. Thank you for your videos. They’re a pleasure to watch.
I’m not very deep into the whole natural vs synthetic because I’ve only ever been able to afford synthetic…and crappy ones at that! But the Red Dot was really impressive! I’m looking at the website now and I like that they are actively trying to make affordable and eco-friendly options that are still high quality and actually mimic the natural hair brushes. The price of the Red Dot is….wow! I might have to get one or two of those!
My husband bought me three Kalinski brushes and they are THE BEST brushes. Hold a lot of water, feels great on the paper. I love them. Hardly use any other brushes.
Ha, that really made me laugh, Rosemary & Co are based near where I live, I've got load of their Red Dot brushes and the Eradicator brush is an absolute must! another fabulous video Margot ❤
Lucky you! I’m jealous!! And I was wondering about their eradicator! I keep having visions of Schwarzenegger when I see the name 🤣
@@Pointebrush😂😂😂😂😂😂....(but that brush is wonderful ❤)
@@Pointebrush haha! That's funny! Seriously though - their eradicator brushes are game changers!
@@Pointebrush honestly Margot, the eradicators are just genius, it's like having a magic brush that just removes all your stupid mistakes in one go! Great for lifting out and creating "white/slightly coloured :D" space when you've forgotten to add the clouds or similar!
Yeah, lucky you!!❤❤❤❤
Really enjoyable and informative. Back when dinosaurs wandered the earth I bought a WN #8 Kolinsky for about $30 (They’re now over $150). Great brush. But, it needs replacing now and I’d rather use a synthetic. Wow, so impressed with the Red Dot series.
WN’s quality has nosedived too so a brand like this which brings it’s A game, and with synthetics no less is definitely worth a serious look.
Ps. Since you were alive back then, be honest was T-Rex all he was cracked up to be? 🦖
Freaky short arms and bad breath, couldn’t recommend.
@@Pointebrushlol
@@eileennoel5672lol
I would love a Michael Harding swatch!!
I’ll add them to my to-do list! 👍
I love Rosemary brushes, and their customer service is great. My husband bought me some brushes for Xmas as a gift and had requested gift packaging. Rosemary added a $100 gift certificate to his order!! It was a wonderful surprise and I was able to order some speciality brushes I had my eyes on.
You’re explanation and demonstration of what makes synthetic vs real fibre brushes was INVALUABLE!!!
I hope you enjoy making these videos as much as I enjoy watching them. 🥰
US distributor of Ro & Co is Wind River in Texas. Try Michael Klein series through them next.❤❤
I love Wind River Arts! It’s run by a lovely husband & wife team that are friendly and knowledgeable.
Go to Wind River Arts if you want Kolinsky sable brushes (which R&Co, for import restriction reasons, won’t ship to the US - but their US distributor, Wind River Arts, will.)
Her eradicator brushes are also amazing!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Loved the little Lego skit. Please with the Michael Harding. I could be wrong, but you didn't seem overly thrilled with them like everyone else is. I'd love to hear your thoughts! -Even your brush testing pages were beautiful!
Hahaha love how what is not said can say as much as what is said 😂 My relation with MH has been… complicated let’s say that. But definitely worth the conversation! 🔥
Oh dear! Having tried Rosemary's Red Dot brushes and found them excellent performers and value, I now find that I must try at least some of their synthetic blends and sables. Buying more brushes. How dreadful. At least it makes a change from buying more paint... like the four varied tubes of yellow that I purchased this week to add to the six varied tubes that I already had. Where does it end? Where?
Thanks and I just received my order in the mail today. I’m excited to try them out.
Thank you for the tests and comparisons. If one is working small and frugal, the synthetic seems better. It's not only because the brush itself is cheaper, but because you waste less pigment (especially if you have only one brush and are working in many colors in a small piece). You dispose of less pigment into the wash cup.
Thank you for a great review of this companies products. I am one to check reviews before i buy things to keep from wasting money so I'm always grateful for honest reviews. Some ppl just push products for the commission, and when i find the products to not be so great i feel so frustrated and cheated out of my money.
I didn't read every comment, but I'm surprised they didn't send you an eradicator brush to try. It's the best "erasing" brush I've ever tried. Also, it's the only brush I've ever tried from Rosemary and Co. I'm going to try a few more after watching your video.
The eradicator is so awesome
Your such a wonderful teacher your voice is so expressive I could listen to you all day thank you for sharing all your knowledge xx
Aww thank you so so much 😘
Thank you thank you !!!
I ordered a couple of #8 red dot ~ OHMIGOD !!! I'm in love with these brushes !!!
Oh goodness, after watching this, I ordered the Set 65--an introduction set of the Red Dot collection, along with 2 additional Red Dot brushes. Can't wait to get them and try them out! I'd heard of the brand before, but have never tried them.
This is such a useful video. Thank you, Margot. I've purchased a lot of watercolours and some other mediums recently, so I'm now ready to add upgrades to my watercolour kit.
I'm currently using pro-arte synthetic brushes that I mostly purchased about 26 years ago, back at art college, that I never used.
Perfect timing and such useful observations.
The Red Dot series also comes with shorter bristles as “spotter” brushes. They are not in the catalogue but can be found online. They hold slightly less water but are brilliant for details and the price is amazing! I bought a few of them and use them a lot. They were recommended by another TH-cam watercolour artist (but since they had their own brush range don’t mention them anymore, unfortunately…)
Thank you for the lesson on brushes. I actually learned some things I didn't know and needed to.
This was a great fun video! I was 5 steps ahead of you by having her catalog but I have not bought a brush or sets of brushes yet. I really appreciate your doing this testing of the brushes. Also thank you for explaining the meaning of the Red Dot 🔴 because it was something I didn’t know. I definitely appreciate the catalog too as an encyclopedia of information about brushes in general for a variety of mediums too. After seeing your reviews on these, I need to really order myself some new brushes.
Great information on watercolor brushes. So much to learn . I’m flabbergasted by how inexpensive the Red Dot brush is 😮. Yes PLEASE 🙏 do a Michael Harding demo. His watercolor paints don’t get the love and attention they deserve. Another fantastic entertaining video. ❤🎉
That 1" flat is just what I've been needing, it's on order with your discount, thank you!! I always look forward to your videos, so much fun and informative.
Love, love, love, the music metaphor -
Margot, you are an art education diva!
I ordered a catalogue because of one of your videos. Since receiving it, I’ve been perusing the catalogue, and trying to decide which brush to get. Then here comes this video, right on time. Thank you for the tip, and another entertaining, and helpful video. I love your creative take on watercolor, while educating us on all the nuances. I will definitely get a red dot brush and a few more.
Such a fun and educational vid! I too have heard so much about Rosemary & Co.
Thank you for an excellent demo of each product! I love my Kolinsky brush from 15 years ago, and have treasured it. But am due for a treat...
Am so glad you demo'd a number of different types and fibers and explained them.❤
I also love Michael Harding's watercolour paints. They remind me of M. Graham paints, but I think they have more pigment load. It's hard for me to say which professional paints are my favorite - because I love me all - but Michael Harding is definitely up there.
These are the absolute best brushes!
I only have a few Rosemary & Co watercolour brushes and I love them.
Thank you for your review! I just got 4 Rosemary and Co brushes in the mail but didn’t know about the Red Dot!
So impressed by these brushes I placed an order and I did use your affiliate code! Thank you!
I so look forward to your videos! Today did not disappoint! I’m learning so much from you! Thank you!!
The Kolinsky sable - as well as the "regular" sable - are not rodents. They are mustelids (the weasel family). The Kolinsky sable is a type of weasel and the "regular" sable is a type of marten. They are carnivorous animals related to otters, badgers, skunks, and wolverines.
Oops - it appears that biologists have created a separate family for the skunk - Mephitidae. It's no longer considered a mustelid (Mustelidae). Today I learned...! :)
Just ordered 8 and 12 red dot! Thank you Margot.
Thank you so much for this awesome video! You are so amazing! I have learned so very much from this video and will be ordering a set of them.
They are a UK company so understand the shipping cost is Fed X rates..a bit pricey.
Your postings are sooooo special. I look forward to everyone. THANKS SO MUCH.
You are so welcome and thank YOU for watching 🥰
Great video and holy moly to the Red Dot!!They have a sale once a year where you get a grab bag for ridiculously cheap! They try really hard too to match the brushes to your style of painting :)
Such a great resource for so many reasons 👍👍
Take Care - Moths ate my 2 sables!!! Keep them enclosed & safe.
OH.....and they chewed up cheap camels in the tool drawer, too. AAARGH
Moths can eat them?? I did not know that! 😳
@@Pointebrush well the moths have good taste. never knew moths can eat brushes? is it if you dont use them for a few years?
@@HankHillspimphand we’re talking about real boujee moths here 🤣
😱 Oh great, now where did I put my aesthetic boujee moth trap?
Same ones eating my cashmere. I’m wearing the scarf with holes. It’s so pretty. What can you do 🤷🏻♀️
Impressive! And, also, seeing a swatch-out of M. Harding watercolors would be nice.
I love your videos ! I recognized that box as soon as I saw it , how ironic I received mine today ! Fabulous brushes and craftsmanship, they take such care in their packaging and her catalog I am drooling over ! I ordered the Anna Mason set and I can’t wait to try these brushes , the eradicator brushes are a must have in my collection as well ! I’ve been seeing Michael Harding tube sets on Amazon and am curious about them , I almost exclusively use M Graham ! Thank you for explaining these brushes , I will be ordering that wash brush for sure !
So glad you reviewed Rosemary & Co brushes! It’s all I use- love them! I’ve been needing a good wash brush- the flat washes will be added to my next order! 😊
I love Rosemary brushes but have never gotten a catalogue with my order. I wonder if that is a new thing? The catalogue looks like a great reference guide.
Your videos are always fun and educational - even if I was not learning to paint (create) I would watch as you really do add the pizzaz to your videos and explain things in a way that is not patronising but is encouraging and makes me believe I can achieve - Thank-you x
That catalog is amazing. i need one.
4:00 I'm very guilty of this, woops! It's a miracle any of my brushes still work haha
I love how you broke down each brush and how they can be used, I tend to mostly use rounds and flats so that was really interesting!
Glad I could be of help and expand your horizons. Don’t get me wrong, I tend to be like you, favoring my rounds (just because I get lazy to change 🙈)
Great video, I bought a set from Rosemary and Co not long ago, I am a beginner and my paintings have been great. Now I need to figure out how to make prints
Pretty new to watercolor, but already I've learned paper and brushes are the most important aspects of creating something fun. Thanks for reviewing these brushes. I have bought many promising brushes with less than stellar results. 🤑 Guess I could glue a pin on the handle end and play darts!
I love Rosemary and co! I need to get a couple more. The dot series is great for cruelty free and has great snap. Doesn’t keep its point long. But I use more than one brush. I’m a Kristy Rice in that manner. The elongated cat’s tongue is fantastic! And their daggers. I like the sable blend on which you got!
The second I saw a brush looking object I just knew it was Rosemary and co. 😂 I have their catalog and will buy something soon!
Love this video (all of yours actually) Thank you for describing each brush! Learned a lot! And may I say Michael Harding paint has pigment loads that are amazing! Love his line also! WIN WIN WIN❤️YAY.. 🙂
Wow, they look gorgeous. Thank you for sharing, I’ve requested a brochure. And they are just down the road from me!
The Rosemary & Co Snowdrop brushes are pretty similar to Escoda Perala, white taklon (nylon). Half the price too.
I’m sorry, but while I love Rosemary brushes, and I have bunches of them for both watercolor and oil, I found the Princeton Aqua Elite to surpass the Red Dot by quite a bit. Along with the Rosemary and Princeton brushes, I also did my test with Escoda Versatil and the Princeton Heritage. Just my thoughts.
beginner mulling over which synthetic sable to purchase, leaning toward aqua elite. just ordered Rosemary & Co set 65 directly from their site. thank you for this review
Great review - I have a few Rosemary & Co, and have a lot in my trolley waiting....I wish I had bought them earlier. Also, I am now switching slowly to Michael Harding, I LOVE them! Please review your colours, would love to see them, thanks Margot
Cutest box delivery ever!
Ive never heard of this company before, i just ordered a catalogue! I only own a total of 6 brushes , and the prices of the ones youve shared seem really good!
-edit-
Apparently the US is the only country in the world that bans the import of kolinsky Sable?!? Or so says the website 😮
They really are a steal, especially when you see much lower quality brushes costing significantly more. The US doesn’t altogether ban it but they do restrict the import of Kolinsky. Rosemary does have a seller here who stocks the full range including kolinskies. It’s called Wind River Arts in Texas.
@@Pointebrush thank you!!!
OMG!!! Margot, only on your channel I feel like I’m in arts school, but it’s not a boring lecture. I have Princeton synthetic brushes in my collection and as I’m just starting out, I never understood why I should invest in blends or natural bristles. Until now!!! When you showed Princeton heritage 6, which I use all the time I really saw the difference 😮 and at that moment I understood that I always get annoyed on how quickly it looses pigment and needs to be loaded again… true aha moment 🤓
Thank you, Margot, this was a big help. Don't have any of hers and will definitely rectify that.
Glad you liked the video and hope you give her a shot! Always great seeing you on here Paula 💕
@@Pointebrush BTW, loved the Lego intro (mother of three sons and 2 grandsons!!!).
Thank you so much I want the Red dot!!❤
As I watched you learn about the second brush…it was a pointed sable brush, I started wondering if you had experimented with Japanese calligraphy. They use similar shaped brushes to draw their exquisite characters. The artistry in Asian calligraphy is often jaw dropping in its detail and beauty.
I have a natural hair dagger which I love for loose work, but I find it very difficult to be precises. I also have a synthetic dagger which has a great spring but terrible carry load. I'm in the market for a new one and this one looks great. I've requested a catalogue for now so I can have a thorough browse before I buy. Still watching the video so there may be more wants. I dropped your name in the Where Did You Hear About Us box. Thank you Margot! ❤
Also, I'm never going to be able to drill a new brush without making the noises now 😂
I’ll be ordering the red dot brushes, like all the features. Thanks for sharing!
Hope you enjoy them! 🖌️🖌️🖌️
Margot you are the absolute worst for my wallet 😂
I’m sorry… that’s all I can say 😂
Such an in depth video and I actually learned something!!! Yay! Bonus😄 Thank You💕 The lego part was so clever.
Happy you enjoyed it and learned something new! 🥰
I will be purchasing a red dot brush. Thanks, Margot. 💕
I learn so much from your videos..so enjoy them. Thank you so much for all you share….
Yes, PLEEZE, on the Michael Harding review
No synthetic brush hold it's point as good or have as good a water hold or spring as natural hair brushes, not for very long at least. My natural hair brushes though, those have lasted forever, i haven't had to replace any of them in a very long time. that said, it only matters with rounds, i feel like you can use wathever when it comes to flats (just my opinion though!)
They send a pdf now for the catalogue. At least for us Canadians. Shipping costs being what they are now. Don’t get me started.
The same for Australia.
Lucky you... I just spent a fortune on brushes with them last week... they're on their way, so curious to see how they compare to what I've used for the past decade. I didn't order anything organic though, only synthetic brushes, I refuse to use those made from animal hairs.
Interesting comparison, but... I like to wipe out and remove colour sometimes to leave paler stripes. Can you please do a follow up video on this technique please, with the best wipe out brush!
For lifting, scrubbing and moving pigment off the page, nothing beats synthetic brushes in my opinion. Rosemary actually has a brush called “the eradicator” (sounds like terminator 🤖 🤣) for the precisely purpose of removing paint from the page. I haven’t tried it but I have to admit I’m very intrigued!
I’m ordering these on the first of the month
I’m wishing for a star so I’ll be able to someday afford her brushes for about 4 years. I can wait. 😅😅😅
Unaware of the Red dot range until now :)
So it appears all you need is the flat wash, dagger and a red dot brush and you are good to go aware :)
Wow I didn't realise they made so many brushes!! 😮
It’s wild! I think she even does customs if there’s some unusual thing you really need. A great resource for artists!
Did you notice that the photos of the brushes is actual size.
I thought you were going to say Escoda - LOL I must live under a rock never heard of these brushes!
Fun watch as always and lots of good brush info.😊
Glad you enjoyed it! 💕
Thank you!
Thanks Margot, great as ever 👍🏼
I knew the company as soon as i saw the box 😊
I thought Craftamo was the big thing. I've heard a lot about Rosemary and Co, but it's been awhile. Thank you!
Hats off to you Margot! Rosemary & Co. just became $220 richer ~ hehehe
Fantastic explanation of how brushes actually function! The microscopic views really brought it home. All the virtue signaling in the comments is HILARIOUS... 😂
So helpful as always.
Hi Margot, I love you channel. I was wondering where you got your brush holder, I like that your brushes are flat and not incline like with other ones I’ve seen. Thank you ❤
Sables are weasels, not rodents ..rodents have a single set of incisors that continually grow through the animals' entire life. ...yep that was my being "that guy" moment.
Nothing wrong with you. You just point out her mistake, and since people are supposed to learn through this video, I Think it is important that all information is right. So thank you.
I tried to order a catalog on line and it says my email address is invalid. I know it's not. I hope my order goes through. I really want to purchase some of the brushes. Thank you for sharing this with us. Love all your videos and your artwork is awesome