pinceau

Pinceau is the French term for a brush, a hand tool used to apply liquid or semi-liquid substances such as paint, ink or makeup to a surface. It typically consists of a handle, a ferrule and a head made of bristles or filaments. The design aims to control the amount of material and the quality of strokes, from broad washes to fine lines.

Bristles may be natural—the best known examples come from animal hairs such as hog or sable—or synthetic, made of nylon or Taklon. The shape of the bristle head defines its use: round for detail, flat for broad strokes, filbert for soft-edged forms, and specialized shapes such as fan or wash brushes for textures and blends. Brushes are used in painting with oil, acrylic or watercolor, and in makeup applications where the same tool is adapted to apply foundations, eyeshadows or powders.

Care and maintenance: after use, clean the brush according to the medium, reshape the bristles and let them dry with the head upward or hanging to protect the ferrule. Avoid soaking wood handles. Storage should keep the bristles free of pressure.

In art history, pinceau describes a fundamental instrument for painters and craftsmen. The term comes from Middle French and has remained associated with brushwork. Modern manufacturing emphasizes durability, bristle quality and, increasingly, sustainable materials.