Introduction To Art Paint Brushes

Photo by amoon ra on Unsplash

One thing that is absolutely necessary for painting is a brush. Brushes used for painting come in many shapes and sizes, with natural and synthetic fibers or bristles available. The brush(es) you use will depend on the medium and style of painting and your budget. That said, cheap brushes aren't always the greatest choice as they do not perform well and quickly wear out. This week I will begin the exploration of brushes, staring with the basics.

Humans have always been creative in their methods of applying paint, and our use of tools extended to improvised paintbrushes. Cave paintings dating back tens of thousands of years show that humans have been making marks with brushes. The Ancient Egyptians used bound palm fibers. American Indians used an array of different materials, including bone, hide, and porcupine guard hair. Strands of horse hair bound to a wooden shaft with plant fiber have been found, and plant materials, such as moss, were also used to apply pigment. Ancient Egyptians used palm-fiber brushes.

In the 14th century Italy, artist Cennino Cennini recommended plucking cooked squirrel tail hairs and fitting them into feather quills of different sizes: vulture, goose, and hen or dove. While animal hair and quills are still widely available, there is now also the choice of synthetic brushes. Synthetic bushes may be a better choice for those on a budget or with concerns for animal welfare.

For watercolorists, sable-hair brushes from the kolinsky weasel are the favored choice for watercolorists, because the hairs are soft and springy, keep their shape and hold lots of water. Oil and acrylic painters often favor hog-hair bristle bruses, because they are stiff enough to manipulate thick paint well and, if cleaned properly after use, will keep their shape for a long time. There are no hard, fast rules. Purely synthetic or mixed brushes are long-lasting and well-suited to all roles.

Types of Brushes

There are many brush shapes available in different bristle fibers. Size is represented by numbers, with 000being the smallest and finest. The different types of brushes include: round, flat, bright, wash, filbert, liners and riggers, and fan. As I discuss the different types of paint medium, I will dive further into the best brushes for each.

Happy painting!