What brushes are the best...?

Question

i just brought 4 today... for acrylic painting

10 m. grumbacher academy 780-r round (white bristles) $9,79

12 arttec white nylon 525f flat $14.89
12 arttec white nylon 525b bright $14.89
12 AmericanPainter 4250kf filbert $16.99


tell me how they are priced the larger the more expensive? or priced by shape? BRAND?

what are the nicer brands? what is a good material for the bristles?

is there a way other than feeling them to determine if they brush is soft or stiff?

im new at painting what other brushes should i buy i terms of size and shape...? i've been told to buy i little bigger than i want... b/c beginners are fussy about detail...

Answer 1

I have done a few Acrylic paintings with just one single brush.



Stop spending money now !



Try these four you have purchased and see how you get on.



I prefer oil painting but still under paint in acrylics.

Just make cetain you keep the brushes clean both during and after use.

You can water down acrylics for softer brushes and smoother finishes.

You can apply some acrylics "impasto" with stiffer brushes.

Most synthetics are fairly stiff.



Expensive brushes do not make you paint well (the same way that expensive cars do not make you a better driver)

Experience the feel of each brush.



I own some rather fine brushes that were purchased for other purposes...ie some of my wifes make up brushes,some potters glazing brushes even house decorating brushes etc etc.



Click on my 360 and follow links to a few paintings i have done and other sites where you will find some of my pottery and sculptures. (artsig)

I have never paid more than five pounds sterling (ten of your dollars) for any brush.



I know your keen to get all the equipment,but patience is a virtue,especially in art.

Kind regards Simon james wolf henry UK

Answer 2

i stronly suggest that you just get a pack of brushes to start off. a set is the best way to go since you get a variety at the best price. since you are starting out you wont need the expensive brushes. when you are starting you are likely to ruin a few brushes by leaving out and forgetting to clean them. this happens all the time to students in the art department. so skip out on the good expensive brushes till you are comfortable and skilled at painting and really want to take it seriously.

a good brand in both quality and price is loew cornell brushes. they make a large of brushes and are piced quite reasonably. sets of these brushes are available which will save you much money and they work great for painting.

as for material a synthetic material for brushes works great for acrylics. the color of the bristles doesnt matter and the lenth of the handle is just for your preference. usually a long handle is preferable for canvas work so that you can stand farther back from the canvas.

a good way to test the stiffness of a brush is to wet the bristles and then press the brush down. if the bristles go back to the original shape then it is a good brush.

Answer 3

I find that cheaper brushes are good for a beginners than later on when you really have found what you are looking for look into the most expensive brushes. Just buy a package of variety of hard bristle brushes. the orange brushes are quite nice too. The soft brushes are mostly used for watercolor mostly. If you want to aim for bigger brushes go get a cheap paintbrush from the wallpaint ile. Those are quite handy if you have to paint gesso on the canvas or create a large mass of color on the background of the canvas.

Answer 4

yes there is some sort of hair that is better than others but in all my years of painting i have gone through brushes quite fast,i have used windsor and newton,and a mid range-you do need brushes where the hair doesnt fall out but most in the art shops are fine-it can be quite intimidating in the beginning and having a nice brush can give you confidence,im a messy painter and could use a household brush to paint with.... eventually you loosen up with the techniques and get used to your practice... best of luck witrh it-its challenging and rewarding xxx