Flat — A flat brush is, as the name would suggest, one where the bristles are arranged so the brush is quite wide but not very thick. The length of the bristles can vary, with some flat brushes having long bristles, and some very short bristles (also called a square brush). When buying a flat brush, artists generally look for one where the bristles have a spring to them, or snap back when you bend them gently. Not only does a flat brush create a broad brushstroke, but if you turn it so you’re leading with the narrow edge, it produces thin brushstrokes. A short flat brush is ideal for small, precise brush marks.