Types Of Paint Brushes For Watercolor



Brushes for watercolor painting

Brushes by Shape

There are 8 main types of artist paint brushes that are used with acrylics, shown above. Each one is specially intended for different uses. Before we get into the particular uses of each paintbrush, let's get a quick low-down of the different parts of the brush: Get to. The most common types of watercolor brushes used by artists are rounds, flats, mops, and riggers. While working with watercolor is seen as more forgiving than other methods, taking proper care of your brushes will help to extend their life and prevent the hairs.

What paint brushes to use for watercolor

Types Of Watercolor Brushes

These free charts describe the different brush shapes and hair types, and Blick's system of standard brush sizing and measurement.

DESCRIPTION AND USAGE

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

FIBER

bristle
synthetic

DESCRIPTION AND USAGE

Flat ferrule, short-length hairs, usually set in a long handle. Width and length of brush head is about equal. Useful for short, controlled strokes, and with thick or heavy color.

MEDIA

oil
acrylic
decorative

FIBER

sable mongoose
bristle
badger
synthetic

DESCRIPTION AND USAGE

Flat ferrule, spread hairs. Natural hair is more suitable for soft blending, and synthetic works well for textural effects. Useful for smoothing and blending, special effects and textures.

MEDIA

oil
acrylic
decorative

FIBER

bristle
badger
synthetic

DESCRIPTION AND USAGE

Thick, flat ferrule and oval-shaped medium to long hairs. Long handles. Natural hair is more suitable for blending because the hairs hold together when wet. With its soft rounded edges, the filbert is suitable for blending and figurative work.

MEDIA

oil
acrylic
decorative

FIBER

sable
mongoose
bristle
badger
synthetic

DESCRIPTION AND USAGE

Flat ferrule, square-ended, with medium to long hairs. Provides lots of color capacity and easy maneuverability. Use for bold, sweeping strokes, or on edge for fine lines. Use heavier filling for heavier paint.

MEDIA

all
media

FIBER

sable
mongoose
bristle
badger
synthetic

DESCRIPTION AND USAGE

A hake brush is an oriental-style wash brush on a long flat handle. It is useful for laying in large areas of water or color, for wetting the surface, and for absorbing excess media.

MEDIA

watercolor

FIBER

squirrel
goat
ox
bristle
synthetic

DESCRIPTION AND USAGE

Also known as an outliner. Round ferrule, square-ended brush, with extra-long hairs and a short handle. Large color carrying capacity. Useful for delicate lettering, outlining, and long continuous strokes.

MEDIA

ink
sign paint

FIBER

sable
squirrel
synthetic

DESCRIPTION AND USAGE

A mop is a round, full version of the wash brush, made of soft, absorbent natural hair. It is useful for laying in large areas of water or color, for wetting the surface, and for absorbing excess media.

MEDIA

watercolor

FIBER

squirrel

DESCRIPTION AND USAGE

Flat ferrule, square-ended medium to long length hairs. Short handles. Large color carrying capacity. Useful for painting block letters in a single stroke.

MEDIA

oil
ink
decorative
sign paint

FIBER

sable
squirrel
ox
synthetic

DESCRIPTION AND USAGE

Wash brushes come in varied shapes. The oval wash has rounded hairs, flat ferrules, and produces a soft edge, with no point. A wash brush is useful for laying in large areas of water or color, for wetting the surface, and for absorbing excess media.

MEDIA

watercolor

FIBER

squirrel
ox
bristle
synthetic

DESCRIPTION AND USAGE

Plastic or natural quill ferrule, with a permanent or detachable handle. Long hairs, and a natural-shaped tip. The writer has a round ferrule and a short handle. Useful for lettering and poster work. Good on smooth surfaces such as glass.

MEDIA

ink
sign paint

FIBER

sable
squirrel

DESCRIPTION AND USAGE

Round ferrule, round or pointed tip. Useful for detail, wash, fills, and thin to thick lines. A pointed round is used for fine detail. A detailer is a pointed round with very short hair.

MEDIA

all media

FIBER

all hair
synthetic

DESCRIPTION AND USAGE

The long handles and tapered bristles are perfect for detailed work on large paintings. Also good for delicate decorative painting.

MEDIA

oil
acrylic
decorative

FIBER

bristle

DESCRIPTION AND USAGE

Pointed, narrow brush with very long hair. Liners are shorter and narrower. Short handles, round ferrules. Large color carrying capacity. Useful for delicate lettering, highlighting, outlining, and long continuous strokes.

MEDIA

watercolor
decorative
ink
sign paint

FIBER

sable
ox
synthetic

DESCRIPTION AND USAGE

Wash brushes come in varied shapes. The square wash can produce varying shapes and widths, and often has a short, 'flat-footed' handle for scraping, burnishing, and separating watercolor paper from blocks. A wash brush is useful for laying in large areas of water or color, for wetting the surface, and for absorbing excess media.

MEDIA

watercolor

FIBER

squirrel
ox
bristle
synthetic

Best Natural Watercolor Brush

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