Acrylic painting is a versatile and dynamic medium that allows artists to explore a wide range of styles, techniques and textures. One of the key elements that greatly influences the outcome of an acrylic painting is the choice of brushes. Because of the wide variety of brush types, sizes and materials, choosing the right brush for acrylic painting can be a little tricky. In the following blog post, we’ll take you through the factors to consider and the best brush choices for your acrylic painting journey.
Acrylic brush materials
- Synthetic hairs: These brushes are ideal for acrylic painting because they are more durable and longer lasting than brushes with natural bristles. They retain their shape and rigidity, making them suitable also for high-viscosity paints and impasto techniques. Synthetic bristles are also available in a range of softness levels. Raphael Textura synthetic brushes, for example, have stiffer hairs, leaving brush strokes more visible when painting. Textura brushes are well suited for impasto techniques and for creating textured acrylic paintings.
- Natural hairs: While these brushes can work with acrylic paints, they are better suited for oil painting as they are more absorbent and tend to soften when wet, leaving too much paint behind on the bristles.
- Painting knives: Painting knives can be used to create many different and exciting effects and textures in acrylic paintings. Painting knives can also be used to mix paint and apply impasto (thick) layers of paint.
- Silicone brushes: In addition to the usual brushes with hairs and painting knives, acrylic paint can also be created with silicone brushes, which, similar to a paintbrush, help create a variety of exciting textures. The Princeton Catalyst range offers a variety of silicone brushes as well as combs.
Types of acrylic brushes
- Flat brushes: These straight-edged flat brushes are great for creating bold lines, covering larger surfaces and achieving straight edges.
- Round brushes: The sharp tip of the round brushes allows you to make both fine and flat lines with a single stroke. Ideal for fine lines, intricate details and controlled brush strokes.
- Filbert brushes: Filbert brushes are flat, oval-tipped brushes that combine the qualities of flat and round brushes, making them versatile for different painting styles. Filbert brushes are good for creating longer, even strokes, as the rounded tip prevents the brush from flattening when pressed, as a flat brush does.
- Fan brushes: Named for their fan-like look, these brushes are great for creating textures, blending and softening edges.
Angled brushes: Angled brushes are similar to flat brushes, but have a diagonally cut angled edge instead of a straight edge. These brushes can be used to create angled and sharp lines and precise edges.
PS! Synthetic brushes are available in many different types and shapes. In the Princeton Select range, for example, you’ll find many different types of brushes, all of which give a variety of exciting effects when painting.
Brush sizes and handle lengths
Brushes are available in a range of sizes from 000 (small) to larger numbers (large). When choosing brush sizes, please consider the scale of your artwork. Smaller brushes are well suited for detail drawing, while larger brushes effectively cover larger areas.
Longer handles provide better balance and control when working on larger canvases or standing at an easel. Shorter handles provide greater precision and control when working close up or on smaller surfaces.
Liquitex Freestyle Brushes, with their extra wide bristles, are ideal for large acrylic paints. This helps to cover large areas quickly. The range also includes brushes with shorter and wider handles, which are good for varnishing work.
Brush care and durability
As acrylic paint dries to a water-resistant state, it is very important to clean the brushes immediately after painting. Before washing, wipe off any excess paint into a paper towel and then rinse under running water. When washing brushes, use Raphael honey-based brush care soap, which cleans and conditions for the brushes at the same time. Rinse the brush again under running water until the water runs clear and there is no longer any trace of paint or soap on the brush. As a final step, shape the brush hairs to their original shape between your fingers and then dry horizontally or with the brush hair hanging downwards.
Avoid keeping the brush in a water container for long periods of time as this can damage the brush hair as well as the brush handle and ferrule.
Summary
When choosing the right brushes for acrylic painting, consider the type of bristles, the shape and size of the brush. By investing in different brushes and experimenting with different techniques, you can discover your personal preferences and improve your acrylic painting skills. Through experimentation, you’ll find your favourite brushes over time, with which you’ll create all your masterpieces.