When starting something new (like learning to paint) one of the first big hurdles is to get set up with the right gear. A new student needs good quality tools but they don't want to spend a fortune, or buy too many superfluous items. This whole task can be overwhelming, but don't stress; we're here to help aspiring artists choose the right brushes for their needs.

STUDENT: ...yeah okay, but the problem is I don't know what my needs are!

 

Good news! There are only a few considerations to take into account when selecting brushes. Just asking yourself these 3 simple questions will help to narrow down your options significantly.x

Question #1

Scale

The first hurdle is to determine what size of substrate you're working on. You may notice that some paint brushes have long handles and some have short handles; the reason for this is simple ergonomics.

Brush Handle	Recommended Uses
Short	for painting in a sitting position smaller scale substrate (up to 12x16" roughly)
Long	for painting in a standing position larger scale substrate

 

 

 

 

The logic behind handle length is pretty basic: If you're sitting on a park bench painting a postcard, a long handled paintbrush will likely poke you in the eye. Contrary, if you're standing at an easel, a longer handle on your brush allows you to stand back from your painting so you can see the whole picture as you paint. (Standing back also decreases the likelihood of stumbling over your easel legs and smearing your wet canvas)

 

Question #2

Media Type

The type of paint (or media) you'll be using can make a huge difference when it comes to choosing brushes. Here are some very general recommendations for brush hair types for specific media

Media Type	Brush Type Recommendations
Acrylics	Natural or synthetic hog bristle Somewhat stiff and snappy bristles
Oils	Natural or synthetic hog bristle Natural or synthetic sable Somewhat stiff and snappy bristles
Watercolours Gouache Drawing Inks	Natural or synthetic sable Goat hair Natural or synthetic squirrel Soft, absorbent yet springy hairs

 

Question #3

Subject Matter

Knowing what image you intend to paint will definitely help with brush selection because subject matter does impact your brush options. Some brushes are better suited to a specific subject matter than others.

(For a full description of each brush shape listed here, please see ALL ABOUT BRUSHES chart in the next section)

Also, ROUND brushes are not specifically mentioned in this chart because they are suitable for EVERYTHING, so get yourself a nice round brush to start with.

Reference Image	Subject Matter	Scene Description	Brush Shape Recommendations
	Cityscapes	Buildings and street scenes	Bright/Wash Flat Liner/Rigger Angle
	Landscapes	Natural lands and flora, may include fauna and/or distant buildings, people	Bright/Wash Fan Rake/Comb
	Skyscapes & Seascapes	predominantly sky and/or sea	Mop Fan Wash Stipple
	Nature Portraits	Flora and/or fauna up-close (macro)	Bright/Wash Fan Rake/Comb Liner/Rigger Cat's Tongue Dagger
	Portraits/ Figurative	A human as the central subject	Filbert Bright/Wash Liner/Rigger
	Abstraction	non-representational, conveying a feeling more than a literal scene	anything goes whatever brush or tool excites you
	Illustration	usually hard edged contours often including large fields of colour	Liner/Rigger Mop Bright Wash Spotter

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STUDENT: Who is Filbert? ...and what the %!$&? is a Cat's Tongue?!

Brush Overview

Well, now that we've thrown a bunch of weird words your way, here's a handy little guide to help clarify all the brush shapes and what kinds of strokes they make...

STUDENT: Can you please just tell me what to buy

ME: *sigh*  ...Okay

What to Buy

If I have to recommend  a few single brushes to get you started, I'd say ...

• a medium/small ROUND: good quality, size #6 or 8 should do
• a wider BRIGHT: for covering larger areas, a 3/4" or 1" should do
• a medium sized brush of your choice: 1/4" to 1/2" FILBERT or FLAT
• a FAN; for fun, and for playing with texture and blending

If painting is something that you're committed to learning then you may want to consider a buying a nice set of brushes.

The advantages to buying bushes in sets:

• A selection of shapes, sizes, and sometime even brush hair types. You may find that you absolutely love a brush you wouldn't have otherwise chosen
• A great value: Brushes are always less expensive when bought in sets