How to Choose the Right Paintbrush for Your Art

Art is so beautiful to look at and many of us see so many inspiring artworks on Pinterest and Instagram and try our best to replicate them as well. But let us be honest and agree that most of the time, our artwork looks way different than the original one and we do not know why?

So, what is the problem?

One, it can be the colours and techniques. But the most important one can be the use of the wrong paintbrush.

Yes, that’s right.

A good paintbrush is a vital tool that makes your art look like a masterpiece and gives you those right strokes.

And, if you are wondering how to choose them, here’s a quick guide for you.

Basic build of paintbrushes

A paintbrush usually has a handle made of wood or acrylic, which helps you hold the brush and has a designated number and type described on the handle, like number 4 and round.

After the handle, the paintbrush is crimped and connected to a ferrule, which is a metal piece that holds the bristles in place. And, the bristles, in turn, are made of either synthetic or natural hair fibers, and helps to hold the paint, and is further distinguished into toe, tip and belly area.

Once you know these basics, let us talk a bit about the different types of paintbrush shapes and, what you can achieve with each shape.

• Flat – Best used for large areas of artwork that need defined edges and controlled lines, the flat paintbrush, looks rectangular and has long bristles, that is great for flat strokes.
  
• Bright – Like flat, but the shape is more squared and has short bristles that deliver good results for smaller line work.
  
• Round – With a sharply pointed belly and a round toe, this versatile paintbrush can be used for thin pointed lines and also for thicker details.
  
• Fan – A great paintbrush to blend your colours, this fan-shaped paintbrush is great for creating texturing and dabbing effects.
  
• Liner and Rigger – Liner has ultra-thin pointed bristles which as the name suggests, can be used for delicate outlining and detailing your artwork. Rigger has slightly longer bristles than the liner but is pointed and delivers the same result.
  
• Angled – A flat brush with an angled edge, this paintbrush is great to work on corners and curves and can be used to create flat lines too.
  
• Mop – When you want to clean the excess paint with water or paint a large area with a huge amount of paint, a mop paintbrush, is the best option.
  
• Filbert – Mostly used for acrylic paintings, filbert, is superb for washing away unwanted paint, blending and smoothening paint, and also when you want to paint tapered flowers or leaves.

Now that you know about the different kinds of paintbrushes, it is also important to know that you should always wash your paintbrushes after every painting session so that the colours do not cake on the brushes and spoil the bristles. Next, you should not leave them in the water for long and should always lay them horizontally to dry them out completely before storing them.

With these simple tips, you can choose the right paintbrush for your art, surely become an art expert and hang your beautiful artwork in your home, retirement planner offices or Vancouver dental clinics. Happy painting!