Bill Buchman "Zen" Sumi Brush – Sensei 3 – Very Fine – Sable & Horse – Japan

I have been learning to speak Mandarin for two years and attempting calligraphy for three. In that time, I have struggled with brushes that were poorly made. And I assumed I just needed to learn better control and I would be able to control even the worst brush. Not being able to find any good brushes locally, I ordered a few expensive ones, still had no luck, and became quite discouraged. I finally ordered this one in one last attempt and decided that, when it arrived last week, if it was no better I would just keep practicing until I could control any brush I had -- good or bad.This brush is amazing! As soon as I softened it and began to use it, it was an unbelievable difference from any other brush! The strokes were immediately smoother, cleaner, stronger, and infinitely easier to control and vary. The starts and finishes are so clean. The brush has amazing spring to it but is still soft, so that it bends when you need it to but lifts when you pull away without making a messy stroke. The fur of the brush is so well-constructed that it stays completely in shape while writing and there are never stray hairs making messy marks outside the strokes -- not even at the end or on a curve. It is really a beautiful thing to see. It lays the ink down in completely fluid marks, like a brush should. I am absolutely THRILLED to find this brush and I am about to order another one.

I look forward to more paint brush discoveries of this delightful brush line, as I understand that more detailed brushes are soon to be available. The lines are crisp and the leaves exquisite.