In its final stages, each brush head is worked with a metal rod against a leather strap to tease out any loose hairs, and checked again for blunts. Finally the brush is dipped in a weak solution of gum arabic and brought to a fine point.
Nothing beats a superior quality sable for pointing ability, and thanks to the microscopic filaments along each hair, it holds a wash better than any other brush.
But in the search for a more economical alternative, Daler-Rowney's experimental work with polyester fibres produced the pioneering Dalon series. In performance and handling the Dalon is considered by watercolour artists to be the first serious rival to the sable.
 To meet the particular demands of working in acrylics, Daler-Rowney developed the Cryla range. A unique blend of six different synthetic fibres combine to create a brush with the durability and resilience required by both fine art painters and decorative craft artists.
Synthetic brushes are hand-made using similar techniques, except that filaments do not need the same careful dressing as natural hair, and the head shape is formed inside the metal cannon, rather than by twisting through a diaphragm.
Otherwise the process is equally labour intensive and demands the same dexterity to ensure a pristine finish.
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