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Tools & techniques: the brush basin

Welcome to the first iteration of a regular feature, Tools & techniques. We’ll periodically post about tools and techniques of the cartooning trade here, illustrated with drawings, photos, and video.

Our topic today is a handy studio item that is essential if you ink with a brush: the brush basin. Let Matt take you on a quick video tour:

Comments

3 Comments to Tools & techniques: the brush basin

  • by Jessica

    On July 7, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    It’s come to our attention that the classic brush basin in the video (now probably 15 years old) isn’t manufactured in exactly this configuration anymore. Plaid Industries, the maker of our basins, still makes them, but they don’t appear to have lids now. We also haven’t actually seen one of the new Plaid models in person, so can’t vouch for the structure of the notches, but from the images available, it appears to otherwise be the same. However, the one you’ll find that most closely resembles the basin in the video is by Shiva, and it has brush slots that are too large for small watercolor brushes, and its partitions are very low, allowing you very little water to clean with. Go with Plaid, and let us know how it works out.

  • by Ben

    On August 3, 2018 at 12:49 pm

    Thank you for this excellent video, reminding why this particular brush basin is so great. I have had this same basin for many years, and it has worked very well for me. I work with ink washes and watercolor, and I use small, fine brushes. It seems to have developed a leak, so I am looking for a replacement. I don’t like most of the alternatives available. Many are designed for larger brushes, having only three notches instead of five. Others are made of a dark blue plastic that makes it difficult to see the color of the water. MyLifeUNIT, available on Amazon, seems to be the closest, but, in addition to being blue, the notches in the upper room are placed over the wrong basin. I am tempted to try to repair the leak in my old unit. Any suggestions for sealing plastic? I can’t see the crack, but there must be one up underneath.

  • by Jessica

    On August 10, 2018 at 8:39 am

    Plaid Industries is still the classic, I think! https://plaidonline.com/products/plaid-art-materials-brush-basin
    No ideas about sealing the plastic, though I bet silicone caulk would work.

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