# Bristle-Less Paint Brushes Catalyst Blades Have You Applying Pigment with Silicone Strokes By Amelia Roblin | Published 2012-10-09 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/catalyst-blades References: [notcot.org](http://www.notcot.org/post/50603/) & [princetonbrush](http://princetonbrush.com/decorative.html) The concept of a paintbrush makes less sense when you picture it without either synthetic, hogs' or horses' hair. Of course, you don't need bristles to apply pigment to a canvas and these Catalyst Blades help to demonstrate this. With some behaving perhaps more like [palette knives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/experimental-pencils), these [polymer artistic implements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aluminum-sphere) sport a variety of different edges that range from flat and angled to combed and serrated. These tools enable the painter to produce some very interesting textures on his page with strokes of patterned lines and the like. Made by the [Princeton](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/princeton-university-art-museum) Artist Brush Company, the collection of Catalyst Blades and wedges increases the means of visual expression for creatives who are working within a more contemporary style. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 58% | Activity: 22% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Bristle-free Painting:** The development of bristle-less paint brushes represents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the art supply industry. - **Synthetic Artistic Tools:** The rise of polymer-based artistic implements like Catalyst Blades highlights the potential for new, high-quality synthetic art tools to challenge traditional ones. - **Textured Strokes:** The availability of artistic implements with varied edges and patterns like Catalyst Blades allows artists to create unique and visually-interesting compositions that were previously difficult to achieve. ### Where This Applies - **Art Supplies:** The use of innovative materials and design in artistic implements like Catalyst Blades presents a disruptive opportunity for businesses in the art supply industry. - **Manufacturing:** The production of high-quality synthetic artistic implements like Catalyst Blades requires a focus on materials science and advanced manufacturing techniques, providing an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the manufacturing industry. - **Education:** The rise of bristle-less artistic implements like Catalyst Blades presents an opportunity for educators to teach new techniques and methods, and potentially challenge traditional approaches to art education. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [3D-Printed Makeup Brushes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/futura-avant-lab.md) - [Unique Writing Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graphite-paintbrush-writing-instrument.md) - [Fingerprint Application Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fingermimicking-makeup-applicators.md) - [Spiritual Stone Brushes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stone-brush.md) - [Motorized Rotating Makeup Brushes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blendsmart.md) - [Antimicrobial Haircare Brushes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mela-keras-le-brush.md) - [Calligraphic Beauty Brushes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/victoria-beckham-beauty-brushes.md) - [Versatile Metal Bristle Brushes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/metal-bristle-brush.md) - [Pet Hair-Collecting Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/layer-brush.md)