Paintbrush making: feather + twig (natural / historical / ancient paintbrush)

This is how I make really quick natural paintbrushes from foraged / found materials: a feather (wood pigeon here) + a twig (willow here, but I often use hazel, silver birch...) shaped with my replica Iron Age knife*
WASH THE FEATHER FIRST!
(I soak them in very diluted bleach for a while, rinse, dry)
*(recreated from an archaeological find from Danebury hillfort, Southern England, 2nd - 1st century BCE, in laminated iron with an antler handle. Made by ‪@bigbeynonsblacksmithing466‬ )

[@sewdarn2770]

Brilliant. Thanks for showing. How lovely.

[@tobybates4606]

Definitely very interested in Iron Age pigment making as well! Beautiful work!

[@jake-rg3fd]

Such an awesome, simple idea! Definitely gonna try this.

[@just1pin]

I really appreciate this demonstration, thank you so much. 🪶

[@EmiliaLinn]

That's so smart