Paintbrushes for Acrylic Painters

7 TYPES OF BRUSHES

There are many different kinds of paint brushes. Some of them I have used a lot and others I have only used a little bit. I am a painter who primarily uses acrylics so my knowledge about brushes comes directly from using them in the context of this specific medium.

1. Filbert Brushes

The Filbert brush is flat when you look at it from the side but it has a round tip. This brush is good for blending. Because it has a circular shape you can make circular strokes with it. For example, it would be a good brush to use when painting flower petals or round leaves.

2. Mop Brushes

The Mop brush is another brush that is good for blending as it is very soft. It is not particularly useful for acrylics because acrylics dry fast and you don’t have much time to blend. It may be useful when painting with a slow-drying medium or when using oils.

3. House Painting Brushes

You can also a utilitarian-type brush like a House Painting brush. This type of brush is practical and costs very little. I always have a 2” brush like this in my studio. It holds a lot of paint. I use it when putting gesso on my canvases. I also use it for washes or anytime I want to cover a large surface.

4. Watercolor Brushes



Another large brush I like to use is a Watercolor brush. It has soft bristles and is good for washes and glazes because it holds a lot of moisture, fluid or paint. It is useful for washes on large canvases and I use it quite a bit.

5. Round Brushes



Round brushes are round, as their name suggests, and some have a point on their tip. You can get them in a variety of sizes. They are good for detail work, outlining something or lettering. You can use it to sign your painting.

6. Bright Brushes



Bright brushes are flat and have short bristles. They are good for moving large quantities of paint on your canvas because you can buy them in large sizes. Because the bristles are short these brushes are strong and good for making strong, emphatic brushstrokes. I used these a lot for many years until I discovered Flats.

7. Flat Brushes



I really like Flats in the Silver Bristlon brand. These brushes have longer bristles than Brights and in this particular brand the bristles are quite stiff and able to move around more paint than Brights. You can use big, gestural brushstrokes with this particular brush and it is my favorite brush. It comes in many different sizes.

FAQ’S ABOUT BRUSHES

Should I use brushes with natural bristles or synthetic bristles? When you are painting with acrylics you want to use brushes with synthetic bristles. This is because synthetic bristles work better in water than natural bristles which are not designed to mix with water. 

Should I use short-handled or long-handled brushes?

It is a matter of preference. If you work up close you may find that a short-handled brush is better. But you may find that a long-handled brush is better because can you get further way from your painting and have a better perspective. 

Should I buy expensive or cheap brushes?

For many years I bought sets of short-handled, student-grade brushes that included a variety of sizes. I would pick out the bigger brushes that I used the most and paint with them until the ends were frayed. Then I would get another set and do the same thing. Those brushes were fine. At some point I discovered Bristlon Flats which are long-handled. They are more expensive but I find that they are worth the extra expense. 

I recommend that beginners go to an art store, see what the brushes feel like, look like, how thick they are, how coarse they are, how stiff they are and pick one to try. Bring one or a few home and paint with them. If you like how it works then buy more. You may want to order them online. You don’t know what a brush is like until you feel it yourself so I always recommend going to a store first before ordering online.

CONCLUSION



Brushes are your friends and will be with you on your creative journey. So take care of them. When you are done your painting session rinse them well in water. Don’t leave them sitting in water because the bristles will get bent and frayed. You want your brushes to keep their natural form. Love your brushes, take care of them and they will serve you well. You are going to have so much fun painting with them!