What Type Of Brush Should I Use For Acrylic Painting?

For centuries, oil paints dominated the market for art materials. However, by the mid twentieth century, a new material started to find favor with artists. Now, acrylic paints are just as popular as watercolor and oil are, with artists the world over. If you enjoy creating art, one thing that you will want to know is what are the best paint brushes for acrylic painting.

If you have no experience of working with acrylics, it is often quite daunting to try to identify the best paint brushes for acrylic painting at an art store. Usually, these stores have a plethora of paint brushes laid out in front of you. Synthetic materials, like nylon, are the best paint brushes for acrylic painting. Supple and soft brushes are suitable for applying thinned paint, and stiff brushes work well for thick paint applications. Acrylics are tougher on animal hair brushes, which can expand and become less springy when placed in water.

The majority of brush makers offer synthetic brushes specially designed for painting with acrylics. These brushes are springier and more durable than those designed for watercolor. They can withstand more use and maintain their shape nicely, making them an excellent option for novices.

While you are in an art supply shop, pick up the brushes and bend their tips using your thumb. They ought to feel firm, similar to hogs hair brushes (some synthetics do feel like this). If a brush lacks sufficient resistance, thicker acrylics will be hard to maneuver on your canvas surface.

Paint brushes have varying bristle shapes that affect the marks they make. Flat bristles are rectangular and long. They have flat 'toes' and can produce flat strokes. Also, they can be used to produce controlled lines and defined edges.

Filbert brushes have curved 'toes'.  These brushes can hold a decent quantity of paint and produce a broad range of marks. For this reason, they are commonly used by acrylic and oil painters alike. Round brushes are the most useful types of brushes. They have round 'toes' and can create controlled, intricate marks along with thicker ones.

Brushes can be rather costly. To reduce the expense, you could consider purchasing a set of paint brushes. These sets come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some sets are not particularly high quality, however they are still a helpful option for novice painters. They enable you to become accustomed with the different sizes and kinds of brushes, without making a huge investment.

After you have determined the best paint brushes for acrylic painting, you can grow your collection of brushes and purchase higher priced, better quality brushes of your choosing. There's no rush, so take the time to learn and let your creative juices flow.

OurArtSupplies.com