Wow, it’s been a long time since my last post, so let’s get started! We’re going to talk about brush types and how they can be used to create some cool effects in your painting. I would like to address what brushes are typically made of. First, you have synthetic – It’s a stiffer kind of brush which is good for acrylics due to the thickness of the paint. You can test them by running your finger over the bristles. With a stiffer brush you’re able to move paint around a bit better as opposed to those that are made of animal hair which are softer. The order of thickness is as follows: Oils (thick) Acrylics (medium) Watercolors (thin). Although oil paints are thicker, both sable and bristle brushes can be used in it’s application .  Sable brushes are often softer and are used for watercolors because the paint is thin and can be easily manipulated. You can find synthetic mixed with natural animal hair that are flexible enough for you to also use with acrylic paints. I try to have a variety of sizes and shapes for different effects which include a few natural brushes. Also, natural “animal hair” brushes DO hold more water so they are great for covering large areas with paint. – NOTE* Be aware that when using natural haired brushes, they will sometimes “shed” bristles onto your painting.

Tips: I really like to have a variety of sizes and shapes to be able to pick and choose for the particular effect I am going for. For example: I would choose an angled or flat brush (with a sharp, chiseled edge) to do detailed work where I need to be precise, like the edge of a building. I’ll use a rigger or liner brush for fine lines like grass or hair. Sometimes I’ll select the fan brush for tree foliage or bushes. I might select a filbert to lay in clouds, because of it’s rounded edge, it makes blending just a little easier. When I say to have nothing but the best brushes, be sure to hang on to some older brushes for when you need to  “scrub” or “scumble” something. You should NEVER use a new brush for this purpose because it will ruin them in a heartbeat. Also, after every use, be sure to rinse them out thoroughly and dry them off and they should last you a long time. Building up a good enough selection will ensure that you have the right tool for the job!

See below for common brush shapes.