Loew-Cornell
Sam Loew and Ernest Cornell founded their brush manufacturing company in Teaneck, NJ (USA) in 1963. They have their own informational web site and are active both in hobbyist and art teaching activities around the country. Their brushes tend to be sold through retail stores, and are generally targeted to the budget hobbyist — particularly ceramic and tole painters.
I have never seen their pure kolinsky brushes, but many stores will carry the Loew-Cornell 431 Red Sable brushes for watercolor painting. Made in Germany, these come with a seamless nickel ferrule, double crimped, and a standard (short) hardwood handle painted black. Total length of the #12 brush is a slightly short 21.7cm. The tufts are very nicely shaped, rather stiff, 29mm long and 23mm around at the ferrule (in the #12), and tightly packed at the ferrule edge; the tuft immediately snaps when wet to a well defined "needle" point; the belly is about 8mm wide when wet. Overall, these are sturdily made, good quality brushes — and the price is very good. Prices: #6, US$39.10; #12, US$152.30.
The company's Mixtique brushes are made for them in Japan from a mixture of Taklon, goat and squirrel hair. The specific blend is different for short-handled watercolor brushes and long-handled oil brushes, so make sure you get the kind you want. The Loew-Cornell 800 Mixtique brushes are made with varying thicknesses of synthetic filament, with each filament individually tapered, mixed with natural hairs, resulting in a very pleasing streaked, warm brown tuft. The ferrule is seamless nickel-plated brass, with a silver enamel hardwood handle; total length of the #12 is 22.3cm. The tufts are amply sized, 31mm long and 28mm around at the ferrule, and snap to a surprisingly good point; the belly is about 8mm wide when wet. The brush holds a good charge of paint and releases well. Mixtique brushes also come in filbert, liner, glaze/wash, spotter, fan, script liner, chisel blender, flat (long handle) shader, and angular shader. Prices of the watercolor rounds: #6, US$5.80; #12, US$13.60.
The company is probably best known for its La Corneille Golden Taklon round, which is hand-shaped with three thicknesses of nylon filament, individually tapered. The ferrule is seamless nickel plated brass, the handle is hardwood painted with black enamel. Dyed nylon results in a softer, fuller brush with increased absorbency. Combines outstanding qualities of synthetics with performance like natural hair. Comes in all traditional shapes plus rake, Debbie Mitchell stippler, filbert rake, dagger striper, deerfoot stippler, ultra round and more. A student grade Taklon brush is available as American Painter.
Loew-Cornell brushes are not known as the highest quality or as a major contributor to the natural brush market. But their budget and craft brushes are great value, well made, and perfect for field painting and student art supplies.
