My number two filbert. A Raphael, size 6. I've had it since my second year of atelier training, I remember because I was furious at the price at the time. It's been through three studio moves, a dozen exhibitions, countless washes of turpentine. The ferrule started wobbling about a year ago and I kept ignoring it, re-seating the handle with a little tacky wax, because I didn't want to admit it was time.

This morning it just gave up. The handle came off in my hand mid-passage, completely clean. Like the brush itself decided the painting was finished.

I have six new Raphaels in the drawer waiting. I'll use them. But I feel a bit stupid about how much it bothers me to throw the old one away.