Question 1

What are the differences between brush shapes?

Accepted Answer

[Click here to review Brush Shape Differences.](https://www.dickblick.com/learning-resources/buying-guides/brush-shape-differences/)

Question 2

What are the differences between brushes?

Accepted Answer

__Free Brush Charts__
Download our free brush charts in pdf format.

Brush Hair Types
Brush Shapes and Usage
Brush Size and Measuring

| Brush Shape     | Fiber     | Description     |
| ---------- | ---------- | ---------- |
| Angular ![Brush-test](//images.ctfassets.net/f1fikihmjtrp/5jVPXiCZkbSRSmw3G4Wz93/ff9d9a360febd08f851ef1ed59465902/Screen_Shot_2020-02-20_at_8.45.34_AM.png)      | Bristle, Synthetic       | Flat ferrule, short-length hairs, set with longer hairs at one end. Useful for precise strokes, and for lines and curves, with thick or heavy color.       |
| __Media__ - watercolor, acrylic, decorative      | | |

| Brush Shape     | Fiber     | Description     |
| ---------- | ---------- | ---------- |
| Bright | sable, synthetic, mongoose, bristle, badger, synthetic | Flat ferrule, short-length hairs, set with longer hairs at one end. Useful for precise strokes, and for lines and curves, with thick or heavy color.|
| __Media__ - oil, acrylic, decorative |  |  |

Question 3

How do I choose between Long Handle and Short Handle brushes?

Accepted Answer

Long handled brushes are recommended for easel style painting giving the artist additional length to stand back from the canvas. Short handled brushes are often used for table-top painting where the artwork is closer to the artist, and lies flat, such as with watercolor painting.
Either type of handle that is most comfortable to the artist can be used.

Question 4

How do I care for watercolor brushes?

Accepted Answer

To clean watercolor brushes, rinse them thoroughly in water, then wash them with a mild soap in warm water. Rinse under running water and lay them flat to dry. Once dry, store brushes bristle-end up. Always reshape your brushes before storing to prevent damage to the bristles.

Question 5

How do I clean oil paint from my brushes?

Accepted Answer

Cleaning your brushes is a very important step in ensuring a longer life for your brush. In the case of oil paints, the brush should be cleaned off thoroughly starting with solvent and rags or tissue. Once the brush is fairly clean from the solvent, rub the bristles in a glass or plastic jar with either a brush conditioner or a human hair shampoo. Give the brush a good final rinse and squeeze out any water. Dry the brush with its hair end lower than the handle end to prevent water from loosening the handle and the ferrule. Dry brushes can be stored bristle up in a jar, or laid flat. Protective storage containers are available too.

Question 6

What brushes should I use with oil paints?

Accepted Answer

A wide range of brushes may be used. From natural to synthetic bristles, the brush can be left largely up to the artist. By experimenting with different brushes, each individual artist can find ones that suit their needs.

Traditional oil painting brushes have long handles, so that the artist can work at some distance from the canvas. The hair is generally firmer and stiffer than for a watercolor brush.

Palette knives can also be a very useful tool for mixing and/or applying oil paints to paintings.

Question 7

What kind of brushes work best when using acrylic paints?

Accepted Answer

Both natural and synthetic bristles can be used with acrylics, depending on the artist's preference. But, acrylics, being alkaline in nature, can be hard on natural hair brushes.

The brushes must be kept clean. If acrylic paint dries in a brush it is very hard to get out without using strong solvents that might damage the brush. Clean brushes promptly by washing them with warm water and mild soap when finished painting.

What is the difference between artist and student grade acrylics?

Fine artists acrylics use high quality, finely ground and milled pigments, chosen for lightfastness and clarity of color as well as mixing qualities. They also have more resin solids.

Student acrylics use pre-milled pigment dispersions, where most colors are mixed or blended rather than used pure in an acrylic binder. Pigment concentrations are lower, and fillers are used.

Question 8

What brushes should I use for watercolor painting?

Accepted Answer

Three characteristics are used to evaluate the performance of a watercolor brush: how much water/color does the brush hold; does the brush have and maintain a sharp point or edge; and does the brush snap back to its original shape.

Traditionally, the best watercolor brushes are made with Kolinsky Sable. Kolinsky is regarded as the best grade of sable hair. Another option is squirrel, which holds more color than sable but has less snap. Camel hair (which is really pony or goat) is a more economical choice.

Today, better quality synthetic-hair brushes and synthetic-sable combinations can be as good, if not better, than many natural-hair brushes. Synthetics are a more durable, and sometimes a more affordable, alternative to natural hair and still provide a high-quality performance.

Brush Sets and Packs

Acrylic Paint Brush Sets

Watercolor Paint Brush Sets

Oil Brush Sets

Kids' Brush Sets and Canisters

Shop All Brush Sets and Packs

Category:

Brands:

Other Ways To Shop:

Princeton Velvetouch Synthetic Brushes and Sets

Blick Scholastic Wonder White Synthetic Brushes and Sets

Princeton Heritage Series 4050 Synthetic Sable Brushes and Sets

Princeton Catalyst Polytip Bristle Brushes and Sets

Princeton Neptune Series 4750 Synthetic Squirrel Brushes and Sets

Princeton Aspen Series 6500 Synthetic Brushes and Sets

Blick Scholastic Golden Taklon Brushes and Sets

Blick Essentials Brown Nylon Value Brush Sets

Royal & Langnickel Big Kid's Choice Lil' Grippers Synthetic Brush Sets

Princeton Aqua Elite Series 4850 Synthetic Brushes and Sets

Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Brushes and Sets

Royal & Langnickel Clear Choice Golden Taklon Brush Sets

Princeton Dakota Series 6300 Firm Synthetic Hair Brushes and Set

Princeton Real Value Series 9100 Synthetic White Taklon Brush Sets

Blick Essentials White Nylon Value Brush Sets

Royal & Langnickel Soft Grip Golden Taklon Brush Sets

Princeton SNAP! Series 9650 Golden Synthetic Brushes and Sets

Blick Economy White Bristle Brushes and Sets

Blick Essentials Craft Value Brush Set

Princeton SNAP! Series 9800 and 9850 White Soft Synthetic Brushes and Set

Blick Essentials Value Foam Brushes and Sets

Royal & Langnickel Big Kid's Choice Synthetic Brush Value Sets

Royal & Langnickel Majestic Brushes and Sets

Princeton Select Series 3750 Brush Sets

Princeton Watercolor Floral Brush Set

Royal & Langnickel Clear Choice White Taklon Brush Sets

Blick Essentials Bristle Value Brush Sets

Dynasty Finest Golden Synthetic Brushes and Sets

Richeson Slightly Imperfect Assorted Brush Set

Dynasty Finest Golden Synthetic Flat Brushes

Frequently Asked Questions

Featured Lesson Plans

Black Velvet Mystery Painting

Paper Coil Baskets

Altered Penny Carpet

“Print & Go” T-Shirts

Flexible "Glass" Sculpture

Mean Green

Synthetic Brushes

Natural Hair Brushes

Painting and Palette Knives

Paint Brush Holders and Organizers

Paint Brush Cleaners and Washers

Featured Brands