Discovering the Art of Brush Making at Lowestoft

February 27, 2025 | |
Views: 93
| 17 comments

A Warm Welcome and Factory Tour!

This week, I had the incredible opportunity to step behind the scenes at our Crown Artist Brush site in Lowestoft. I’d heard plenty of glowing reviews about the unique manufacturing methods, but nothing could have prepared me for the firsthand experience. Stepping onto the factory floor myself gave me an entirely new level of appreciation for the intricate art of brushmaking.

As Global Communications Manager, I felt it was essential to connect with the talented team and gain a deeper understanding of the crucial role that brushmaking plays in our business. This hands-on experience will help me communicate more authentically about the exceptional work happening in Lowestoft - both internally and with our external audiences.

Upon arrival, I was warmly greeted by Mark Brindle, with Sam Atkins and Tina Runbal leading me through the entire brush-making journey. They walked me through each stage, from the raw tails to all the finished soft hair, synthetic, synthetic/natural blend, bristle (and more!) brushes ready for shipment. It was an eye-opening experience that truly brought the process to life...

The Precision Behind Every Brush

One thing became crystal clear right away: the quality of production at Crown is second to none. Watching our renowned Series 7 brush heads being meticulously crafted by hand, I realised that brushmaking is an art form that demands dexterity, speed, and a deep knowledge of selecting the finest hairs.

Many of our brushmakers have honed their skills for almost 50 years, and in that time they've become unsurpassed in the art and quality of what they do. I learned that only the most skilled makers work on the highest-quality brushes, with training for a Crown sable maker averaging around three years. So, while it may look effortless, trust me - it’s far from it! Despite the flawless appearance of the finished product, every brush is the result of a countless delicate, yet essential, technical steps, all carried out with precision and a profound commitment from every team member. 

A Blend of Tradition and Innovation

And the fact that traditional techniques are combined with modern automated methods, using a mix of natural and synthetic materials, only adds to the uniqueness of Crown's offerings. It allows us to offer a wide range of brushes, from high-end fine art brushes for the world’s leading brands to bespoke batches for beauty pop-ups. Crown's creative approach, coupled with decades of expertise, means we're able to deliver exceptional quality on time and within budget. It was a powerful reminder that innovation doesn’t just mean new technology; it’s about finding ways to enhance and perfect traditional methods.

 

A Family-Like Atmosphere

One of the most striking aspects of Lowestoft is the sense of community that fills the workplace. As we toured the space (enjoying the background music throughout), the atmosphere was both lively and warm. It was impossible to miss the passion and pride each team member has in their work, with many sharing how long they’ve been with Crown – 20, 30, even 48 years! This isn’t just a job; it’s a career, and Crown has cultivated an environment where individuals can grow, develop a range of skills across multiple areas, and truly thrive. This versatility speaks to Colart's dedication to developing highly skilled, multi-talented professionals while fostering an atmosphere that feels more like a family than a factory floor.

 

Commitment to Sustainability

Another inspiring part of the tour was seeing how Crown continuously strives to enhance its sustainability practices. We're actively working to reduce waste, optimise resource use, and recycle by-products wherever possible.

It's clear that a strong commitment to the environment is woven into all operations, ensuring that each brush not only meets the highest standards of quality but also minimises Colart’s environmental footprint.

 

Health & Safety Insights

As the Health & Safety Ambassador for the London Hub, I appreciated the chance to meet my counterpart at Crown Lowestoft, Chris Townson. We had a great discussion about how health and safety are viewed and prioritised at Crown, from its legal importance to the overall mindset and commitment to keeping employees safe at all times. We agreed that health and safety isn’t just a box to tick – it’s a core priority that impacts every part of the company.

Communicating Crown’s Story

The visit also sparked an exciting conversation about how we can better communicate Crown’s story and expand the reach of our brushes. We brainstormed creative ways to engage audiences, like leveraging influencer campaigns and tapping into social media trends such as Instagram “brush talks” to showcase the craftsmanship behind our products.

Additonally, we focused on strengthening internal communications, discussing ideas for developing educational resources that would empower employees with a deeper understanding of our brushes, enabling them to share that knowledge with customers and improve sales. It’s thrilling to think about the countless ways we can amplify Crown’s presence and connect with a broader audience. Watch this space!

My Attempt at Brush Making

Of course, I couldn’t leave without giving brush making a go myself! With a LOT of patience (and more than a little help from my amazing trainer), I eventually managed to complete a brush. Let me tell you, picking up and handling the hair was far trickier than I imagined, and wetting the string and keeping it in my mouth while tying the knot, moving it around the hairs, shaping the dome…? I won’t embarrass myself by continuing, as I’ve probably missed several steps already! I learned that 40 brush heads are typically made in an hour, and I was lucky to finish one during my visit. At this rate, I’ll need a major “brush-up” on my skills!

A BIG Thank You

A huge thank you to Mark, Sam, Tina, Teresa, and everyone at the Lowestoft site for showing me the ropes and giving me such an insightful look into the world of brush making. The trip was a real eye-opener, and it left me with a deeper respect for the time, skill, passion, and craftsmanship that go into creating each product. While I may not be heading back to the factory floor anytime soon (and I’m sure everyone there will be grateful for that), I’ll never look at a brush the same way again!

Comments

  4. Thank you Ellie. Firstly for the time that you have taken to visit us in Crown, and secondly for this fantastic article. We are all so proud to work at Crown; to achieve the continuation of skills, passion, dedication and most importantly love for the business, such that I am given the pleasure to recognise and celebrate long service milestones with the team on a regular basis.

  9. SUCH a lovely and super comprehensive article Ellie! And full of insights I didn’t know about. I hope I will be lucky enough to visit the Crown site someday and meet the incredibly talented team and witness the intricate craftsmanship that goes into the creation of the materials. PS: I love the picture of you making your own brush!