No matter what type of art you want to try, one of the first things you need to get the hang of is the brush that works best. There are lots of different types and while some are pretty general in their use, others are designed for specific purposes. Let’s take a look at how to choose the best paint brushes for your art project.
Understanding brush shape
If you were to grab a mixed pack of paint brushes, you’d quickly notice that there are different brush shapes in almost all of them. A few of the most common include:
- Round brushes – circular at the base and come to a point
- Square brushes – square on one side and flat on the top
- Filbert brushes – similar to a square but rounded at the top
- Script brushes – long and thin
Bristle types and paint choices
Another big consideration is the bristle choice and the type of paint you will use plays a big part in this. Most brushes are available in both natural and synthetic options.
Natural brushes are softer than synthetic and work better with oil paints. Synthetic brushes are harder and are better for working with acrylic paints because they move the paint to the canvas better and absorb less.
Natural brushes tend to have a longer lifespan but cost more whereas synthetic brushes are more budget-friendly but usually need to be replaced more often. For either type, a sign of a good quality brush is that no bristles come out if you tug them lightly.
Best brushes for detail work
Another way to choose the best paint brush for a project is to think about the effect you want to create. For example, with detail work, many people prefer round brushes because they come to a fine point but have a thicker base so you can get different strokes from a single brush.
Best brushes for edging
To get the best results for edging, you’ll definitely want a square brush as these are the easiest to create a straight line with. They also work well for effects such as geometric patterns. Just remember to use an appropriate size for the line you want to create.
Best brushes for blending
If you want to blend paint, then a brush with soft edges is best – filbert and chip brushes being top of the list. Chip brushes have flagged bristles that make them excellent for painting with no sign of the brush stroke and to create a smooth, blended surface. Filberts also work well and have greater flexibility for different tasks.
Get the best brush for the job
There’s no shortage of different brushes available for projects of all types. Understanding the different options, materials and sizes will help you get just the right one. If you need help, ask our team for help!