Brush Basics

Experiment with them all, see what you like. Most of all have fun! 

Synthetic vs. Natural


Transcript of audio information below.
The information contained in this list is in no way comprehensive.
Category
Synthetic
Natural

Bristle Type
  • Taklon
  • Nylon
  • Sable
  • Squirrel
  • Boar
  • Ox
  • Goat
  • Camel - not camel, just a cheap brush hair; meant for kids paint sets.
    		•

    Uses
    		 Multipurpose, depending on the shape of the brush head. Each natural hair has unique properties making them better for certain tasks in painting.
  • Sable is a good multipurpose brush.
  • Squirrel is good for washes.
  • Boar bristles are much stiffer, so they are better for texture.
  • Ox is great for texture but requires more knowledge of painting for proper use.
  • Goat is super soft and great for washes.
    		•

    Costs
    		 These are less expensive, most of the time, but there are always exceptions to every rule. More likely than not these are more expensive simply due to the fact they are gathered from animals and require more time for gathering and manufacturing.


    Shapes
    *external videos*
    		Round brushes do everything; broad strokes that flow with your movement giving nice smooth lines.
    Pointed round brushes do the same as general round brushes but with much more precision.
    Flat brushes are best for straight lines; using the tip gives a nice fine line, while using the ‘flat’ side gives an even, broad line.
    Mops are big bushy brushes that hold lots of water, allowing for you to cover a large area with color, quickly.
    Fans best used for texturing, for example treetops.
    Angle brushes are similar to flat brushes, but the tip is cut to an angle allowing for precise angled points.
    Spotters are great for fine detail work because it has a very small, pointed tip.

    Sizes
    		 There are no real standards for sizing. Different manufacturers can label the same brush with two different numbers.