How the brand started
In the heart of Sabadell, in 1933, a man called Josep Escoda Roig had a vision: to create the best brushes for the artists of Spain. And so Escoda was born, the first brush factory in Spain, a milestone that would forever change the national art scene. Made with art and wisdom, Escoda brushes are not only tools to create, but as they like to say: ‘A brush is an element that transmits the artist's sensibility and expresses it on a canvas, a glass, a wall or a paper’.
But as with all beginnings, things were not easy, since the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) brought the company to a standstill during this time. In the post-war period, it was very difficult to obtain top-quality raw materials, but the family and the company gradually began to prosper as they resumed business activity in the early 1940s. With the same entrepreneurial spirit as Josep's, their children and grandchildren carried on the legacy, turning tradition into art. This brought together three generations of brushmakers, united by the love of their craft and the desire to create the best brushes in the world. The knowledge and passion for paintbrushes were first passed on to the founder's children: Josep and Ricard, and then to his children: Anna, Ricard, Marc and Josep.
The care taken in the production of each brush is noticeable, due to the affection that exists for the roots of the brand, which is why the human factor is essential. Respecting and following the artisan traditions and the objectives of its founder, there is always room for innovation, adapting to the needs of contemporary artists. In short, turning tradition into art.
About Escoda’s brushes
Escoda products are not only for watercolourists, oil and acrylic painters, but also for the ceramist, porcelain decorator, dentist, restorer, glazier, etc. A wide range of products can also be found for techniques such as Pinstripping, Filleting and more.
Pinstripping
First, the bristle tuft, whether natural or synthetic, is wrapped in a deep-drawn piece of metal coated with a thin layer of nickel or 14-carat gold to form the bottom part of the brush. The handle is a piece of wood on which is stamped the number, the brand name, the name of the series, the type of brush hair and the manufacturing city.
Both parts are joined by means of triple grooving, an exclusive method officially registered by Escoda, which guarantees the permanent attachment of the ferrule to the handle. Finally, a last operation is applied, also exclusive to Escoda and with a secret recipe, which consists of simultaneous ironing and drying of the bundle of hairs using a natural product. This process ensures that all the hairs retain the shape given during the manufacture of the brush.
As all quality products require quality care, Escoda brushes need a series of special cares to extend their useful life and to keep their optimum quality at all times when using them. The brand itself recommends a series of essential steps for this process:
1. Cleaning: After each use, it is best to thoroughly clean each brush that has been used. Start by rinsing the brush in a glass of water and then lather it to remove any paint residue until the foam is colourless. Rub the brush against your hand to remove the soap scum and rinse it again. To clean brushes, we suggest using Escoda extra virgin olive oil soap bar.
2. Conditioning: once clean, comb the bristles into their correct position with a little extra virgin olive oil. Having your hair moisturised and well combed will allow you to work with more precision. With Escoda's vegetable cream conditioner soap you can clean and condition your brushes at the same time thanks to its traditional production with potassium soap and vegetable oils, without perfumes, colourings or bleach.
3. Drying: with a towel or paper towel, remove any remaining moisture from the hair and let them air dry horizontally.
Today, more than 85 years later, Escoda is still synonymous with quality and excellence. Its brushes are an essential tool for artists all over the world, an extension of their creativity and a key piece in the creation of works of art that will last in time.
Would you like to know more about Escoda's fascinating history and discover why their brushes are so appreciated by artists? We invite you to explore their world and be inspired by their passion for art!
