Brushes: Bloomed vs "New"

I went through a phase when I really liked to have my brushes bloomed while they sat on their shelves; I just liked how they looked.  But more recently I have leaned toward having them look more "new" and unused, so I have been using a cardboard toilet paper roll tube with cutouts and a couple plastic hair curling rollers to mold them.  After I use a brush in the morning, I rinse it well and dry it somewhat with paintbrush strokes against a white towel, then let it sit out on a counter for 10-12 hours.  At that point I put it into the tube or one of the rollers, depending upon its handle diameter, and again let it sit for another 24 hours before removing it.  This restores its shape to more like it was when new.  So this is my current phase...  Here are some before and after pictures.  It's interesting to me that it is not always the brushes with the highest relative loft that bloom the most.

Interesting post John.

Thought I the only one....

I don’t put mine in a tube or anything, but after drying with paintbrush strokes I then proceed to run the brush hair vertically up the length of the hair against the washcloth. This does a good job of approximating what you do. With some brushes I then bloom it slightly with my fingers. No rhyme or reason as to why, I just feel sometimes it looks better with a slight bloom.

I don’t put mine in a tube or anything, but after drying with paintbrush strokes I then proceed to run the brush hair vertically up the length of the hair against the washcloth. This does a good job of approximating what you do. With some brushes I then bloom it slightly with my fingers. No rhyme or reason as to why, I just feel sometimes it looks better with a slight bloom.

My "restored" brushes relax a little over time after they are removed from the tube or rollers, assuming a slight bloom appearance.

Interesting post.  As you know, I love your collection of Rooneys.  That said, I like the look of the bloom and especially like Silvertip for that reason.

I realize that this reflects an unusual amount of time spent on my brushes and perhaps a degree of OCD, but I'm retired and don't have a lot of other demands on my time. And it's fun.

Interesting post. As long as you’re having fun that’s all that really matters. I can’t lie though, I love those big beautiful blooms your Rooney’s have.

Interesting post. As long as you’re having fun that’s all that really matters. I can’t lie though, I love those big beautiful blooms your Rooney’s have.

+1, those blooms tho!

Thanks for this post John! 

Curious as to where my OCD is going to go now? I’m currently looking through Alexandra’s rollers for her hair........to be continued.....lol