Materials behind the Psybell brand 🎨

Every piece has its own story.
And it doesn’t start with a color or a pattern. It starts with a material.

Over the years of creation, I have gone through significant development. I have tested, combined, improved. Not everything worked. Not everything was ideal. But thanks to that, today I know exactly what I use – and why.

Beginnings: improvisation and testing 🔍

In the past, I worked with what was available.
I used different battens, often of different thicknesses. I combined materials without a clear system. The base boards were different – plywood, scraps, leftover materials.

It was a phase of searching.

Not all solutions were ideal. Some boards were not strong enough. Some materials were not perfectly straight. However, I gradually discovered what works – and what doesn’t.

Why I use MDF today 🪵

MDF boards have proven to be the most successful for me!

They are:
1. extremely strong and rigid
2. at the same time very light
3. perfectly smooth to the touch

MDF is produced by pressing fine wood dust under high pressure. The result is a homogeneous, stable material without chips and irregularities.

In practice, this means:
-no sawdust on the surface
-no irregularities
-stability even with larger formats
It is the ideal basis for string art.

Nails: the detail that makes the difference 🔩
The choice of nails is key.

The ideal length is 2.5 to 3 cm.
It must be long enough to dig firmly into the wood, but at the same time there must be enough space for stringing.

The head is also important - a slightly larger head allows for smooth and firm guidance of the thread.

It is not always easy to find the ideal size. Stores often offer combinations that are not suitable. Therefore, choosing nails is a process that requires patience and experience.

Fibers: I remain loyal to synthetic cotton acrylic 🧵

Over the years, many people have recommended that I try a different material.
Experiment. Change the basis.

However, I have remained with synthetic acrylic fibers, because I will always see a radiant perspective in them that is recognizable from a distance.

Why?

Because:
-they hold tension
-they have a stable color
-they react excellently to UV light
-they do not lose their structure over time

Today, I use exclusively three proven brands:
1. Bravo
2. Ecofil
3. Elian

These brands have proven themselves to me in terms of quality, consistency and color saturation, which of them shines.

Structural strength: screws and precision ⚙️

For larger works, I connect the structure with self-tapping screws.
First, I prepare a pre-drilled hole so that the screw fits precisely and firmly.

If a screw protrudes, I adjust it exactly as needed.
Every detail must be technically clean.

Surface treatment: the difference that is visible ✨

In the past, I used a basic spray paint.
Today I know that a quality surface treatment is a multi-stage process.

Today I use:
1. at least two layers of spray paint
2. final transparent varnish

Varnish:
-increases the durability of the wood
-deepens the color contrast
-increases the visual quality
-gives the work a professional finish

The difference is visible to the naked eye.

Result: experience transformed into a standard 🛠️

Every material I use today is the result of years of testing.

It is not a coincidence.

It is not improvisation.

It is a system.

And the material is the basis for the work to last for years, to keep its shape, color and energy.