Chalk Brushes

I use chalks to color a lot of the projects I make, everything from clay projects to paper projects. I know a lot of people use regular paint brushes for their chalks, I used to use them too. Then I had a blinding flash of the obvious, paint brushes are really meant to use with liquids, chalks are powder. So I got to thinking about powders and what tools are meant to use with them. I knew there had to be a better answer, something better than a brush made for liquid paint. Then on my next trip to the dollar store as I was walking through the aisles just to see what was there I came to the beauty department. There hanging on the wall were a bunch of eyeshadow brushes, of course, eye shadow is a powder just like chalk. I got a few to test out. When I got home I dug out my clay and did a little test, I rolled out a bit of scrap clay and used both the regular paint brush and the eyeshadow brush to apply some chalk. The difference in the amount of control I had with the eyeshadow brush was amazing. I was able to apply a very light blush of chalk all the way up to a heavy coloring with the chalk. I was convinced, the eyeshadow brush is so much easier to use. I now have a bunch of eyeshadow brushes that I use exclusively with my chalks all purchased very cheaply and in a couple of different sizes.

On a side note, I do recommend that you do wash your chalk brushes out regularly. You don't have to do it every time you use them but at least from time to time. Your brushes will last longer and you will get much better results as far as the color of the chalk you are applying. Dirty brushes will give muddy results while clean brushes will give more true colors.