Brushes Matter: A Practical Guide to Choosing the Right Brush

Brushes Matter: A Practical Guide to Choosing the Right Brush for Watercolor, Acrylic, and Oil Painting
By Hansheng Lee – Lee Hansheng Studios | Art Collective International

In the world of painting, brushes are more than just tools—they are extensions of the artist’s hand. The right brush can transform your work, while the wrong one can fight you every step of the way. As someone who has worked across watercolor, acrylic, and oil mediums for years, I've come to appreciate the nuances of brushes—both the expensive gems that last for years and the dollar-store bundles that surprise you with their utility.

Whether you’re just starting out or refining your craft, understanding what goes into choosing the right brush will help you build a versatile and intentional collection. Let’s dive into the fibers, forms, and function of brushes, focusing on watercolor and acrylics, with a nod to oils at the end.

---

🖌️ What Makes a Brush a Brush?

At its core, a brush is made of three parts:

1. Handle – Usually wood or acrylic, sometimes metal, varying in length and weight.

2. Ferrule – The metal band that holds the bristles in place.

3. Bristles/Hairs – These can be natural (like sable or hog) or synthetic (nylon, Taklon, etc.).

Each element affects the balance, longevity, and feel of the brush. But it’s the bristles that determine how the brush behaves in different mediums.

---

🎨 Watercolor Brushes: Flow, Finesse, and Flexibility

Watercolor brushes require finesse. You need them to hold water and pigment well, release it predictably, and allow for smooth, expressive marks.

Common Brush Shapes for Watercolor:

• Round – The workhorse of watercolor. Great for detail and washes.

• Mop/Quill – Holds a lot of water for large, flowing washes.

• Flat/One-Stroke – Ideal for bold lines, edges, and blocking in.

• Rigger/Liner – Long bristles for calligraphy-like lines and branches.

Natural vs Synthetic:

• Natural hair (like sable or squirrel) holds more water and has a smoother pigment release, but it’s more expensive and may wear out faster.

• Synthetic hair has come a long way—many modern synthetics mimic natural performance and are cruelty-free and more durable.

What I Use: I keep a mix. I’ve invested in a few high-end sable rounds for controlled detail and flowing strokes. But for splatter techniques, masking fluid, or rougher paper, I reach for my cheaper synthetics or old favorites I don’t mind beating up.

Why Both Cheap and Expensive:

• Cheap Brushes = Freedom. I don’t hesitate to experiment or ruin them.

• Expensive Brushes = Precision. When I need control and smoothness, nothing beats a good sable or a well-balanced synthetic quill.

---

🖼️ Acrylic Brushes: Strength, Structure, and Stamina

Acrylic paint is harsher on brushes—it dries fast and can ruin bristles if not cleaned quickly. So, brushes for acrylics need to be sturdy, snappy, and capable of withstanding more aggressive use.

Best Types of Acrylic Brushes:

• Brights – Flat and short, great for bold strokes and edge work.

• Filberts – Rounded edges offer a soft, versatile stroke.

• Angular Brushes – Fantastic for corners, edges, and unique textures.

• Detail Round/Liner – For precision and highlights.

Synthetic is King for Acrylics:

• Natural bristles can absorb too much moisture or break down with the fast-drying polymer of acrylics.

• Stiffer synthetics (like golden Taklon) handle acrylic paint’s weight and texture better.

My Approach: For acrylics, I rarely buy expensive brushes—midrange synthetics get the job done well and last longer when cared for. I keep cheap ones for rough base layers or textural scraping, and I have a few pricier ones for detail work or glazing.

Why I Keep a Range: Acrylic encourages experimentation. Cheap brushes are perfect for pushing texture or dry brushing, while a quality synthetic filbert helps me lay down buttery smooth blends when I need them.

---

🎨 Oil Brushes: Texture, Control, and Durability

While I don’t paint in oils as often these days, I’ve learned their brushes demand durability and stiffness to work with thicker pigments.

Popular Oil Brushes:

• Hog Bristle – Classic and rugged, perfect for impasto and texture.

• Synthetic Blends – Offer more spring and less brushstroke visibility.

• Fan Brushes – Useful for blending, foliage, or breaking up harsh edges.

What to Know: Oils take longer to clean, so you need brushes that survive repeated use with solvents. High-end oil brushes are an investment—but if you only paint occasionally, a few midrange synthetics are more than enough.

---

💡 How I Choose Brushes

Here’s what I ask myself when adding a brush to my collection:

1. What medium is this for?
   Watercolor demands flow, acrylic demands bounce, oil demands durability.

2. What technique will I use?
   Layering, dry brushing, wet-on-wet, glazing, impasto—all need different tools.

3. Do I need to baby this brush?
   I save the pricey ones for focused work. The cheap ones get roughed up.

4. How does it feel in my hand?
   Balance and handle shape matter more than we admit.

5. Will it spark creativity or make my work easier?
   If yes, it’s probably worth keeping around.

---

🧽 Brush Care Tips (Because They Deserve It)

• Always rinse immediately—especially for acrylics and oils.

• Use brush soap—not just water—for deeper cleaning.

• Reshape your brushes after washing and let them dry flat or bristle-side down.

• Keep separate brushes for each medium (don’t cross-contaminate).

---

🖌️ Final Thoughts: Tools of the Trade

People sometimes ask why I keep both $1 brushes and $40 brushes in the same cup. The truth is, they all serve a purpose. Art isn’t about always using the “best” tool—it’s about knowing what you need in the moment and working with what you have.

Some of my best pieces started with a dollar-store mop brush. Others needed the precision of a Kolinsky sable. Neither is better—they’re just different.

Brushes are personal. Build your kit slowly, test often, and don’t be afraid to keep a few scrappy warriors in the mix. After all, art isn’t about perfection. It’s about process, intention, and the joy of mark-making.

Whether you’re chasing ethereal washes, bold strokes, or thick textures, the right brush will meet you halfway—and sometimes, even teach you something new.

If you're curious or want more insight on how I choose brushes, we have an article up on our Skool page in Art Supplies 101 on our Skool platform!