Brush Wallet – Simple methods to transport brushes in the field.

See if this sounds familiar, you just traverse the trail from hell, scrambled over rock and brush with paint box in hand, easel under arm looking for that perfect location. And after hiking to set up at your picturesque destination you find your favorite brush with its hairs mangled and twisted like some 70’s punk rock band or worse it is snapped in two.

Aaaaahahahaaaahahahaaaah

    


     “Aaaaah-ah-ah-aaaah-ah-ah-aaaah!!!!"

The infamous call of the ape man.  When Tarzan found trouble or was distressed, he would let out a blood curdling cry.  Listen Here.
Ok so how do we to stop the transition to a punk rock ape man.

Cut stir sticks to length and cut

notches to guide rubber bands

Here is a quick and simple method I picked up from a faux finisher for protecting a brush in transit, avoiding bristle damage and the dreaded handle “snap”. Grab a handful of stir sticks at your local paint store; the ones with a slight curve in them work best. (As side note that curve is intentional as it is use to help dip into and transfer paint.)

Simple Brush Carrier from rubber bands

 and paint stir sticks.

Anyway, I cut the sticks a few inches longer than the brushes I want to transport and still fit into my color box. Use a small rat tail file and notch the sides to keep the rubber bands in place and sandwich the brushes by doubling up the sticks. That's all there is to it, simple and quick.  

Custom Canvas Brush Wallet

The next method is an all around work horse for keeping brushes safe on trail or in the studio. The only requirement, you need a supportive, loving spouse with a sewing machine. Thank you Linda.

The canvas brush wallet is simple and quick to make, the nice thing about this one (compare to those you purchase) is you can make it any size you want. If you stretch your own canvases you can use left over cotton duck canvas. This one was made from probably 7 oz un-primed material, and was easy to work with.

I just figure out the width by how many slots I think I would like and modify them for larger handles so that I can carry a variety of brush sizes. Also make it long enough to have a flap to cover the brush ends and include one slot on the end that will receive a wood brace (yard stick) that acts like a shield on one end and adds a bit of support.

Wallet rolled with the brush tips safe and handles protected.  

Both methods are great answers for transporting, storing, and protecting your brushes in a backpack, tote bag or paint box. They both do well at keeping the brush tips safe and handles protected. This means you arrive on location with your favorite brushes safe and in good condition, and all you have to deal with is creating your masterpiece.

Explore - Question - Learn - - Enjoy, Jim

Link - 7 of the craziest, most dangerous, most dizzying hikes in the world (VIDEOS)
Tarzan and Edgar Rice Burroughs.