The most popular brush types are angled, fan, filbert, flat, liner, round, and wash. Each brush type has a different purpose and comes in various sizes. The hairs or bristles of the brush are made from natural or synthetic fibers, and a higher brush number indicates a bigger brush or more bristles. The art supply store offers a large selection of brushes for artists.
Angled Brush
The angled brush looks like a flat brush with an outer edge angle. These brushes are adaptable and blend, shade, and create curved strokes. Angled brushes are perfect for painting faces, flowers, leaves, grass, trees, etc.
Fan Brush
A fan brush has a thin layer of bristles spread in the shape of a fan. It is used for highlighting, blending, and painting hair, grass, or contouring faces. A fan brush also applies paint in a circular motion to create a fan-like effect.
Filbert Brush
Filbert brushes are flat, with the bristles forming an oval shape at the tip. This brush is versatile, allows excellent coverage, and is used for blending and creating soft edges.
Flat Brush
Flat brushes come in various widths and are used to paint broad strokes. A wide flat brush covers large areas quickly, while a narrow flat brush is perfect for more detailed work.
Liner Brush
Liner brushes are long-haired, circular brushes that carry more pigment and produce lengthy, flowing lines. A liner brush comes in various sizes and is ideal for lettering, adding highlights, or creating detail.
Round Brush
A round brush comes in various sizes and bristles and is one of the most commonly used brushes. A blunt-tipped round brush is ideal for filling large areas with even strokes, while a pointed-tip brush is suited for detail work and fine lines.
Wash Brush
A wash brush is a large flat brush used for laying large areas of water or color.
Your local art supply stores can assist you in selecting the brushes needed to create artwork. Contact an art supply store for your paintbrush and art supply needs.