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Artist painting brush guide and how to choose the right brush for your masterpiece

Creating a masterpiece starts with the right tools. At Harris, we’re here to provide a artistic painting brush guide that you can refer to for your artistic journey. Choosing the right brush can elevate your work and bring your vision to life.

Choosing the right brush for your paint medium

With all the different types of artist paint brushes available at Harris, you can use a paint medium of your choice for and get the best results, every time.

Acrylic Paint

Acrylic brushes usually have synthetic bristles because they are durable and can withstand the quick-drying nature of acrylic paints.

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Oil Paint

For oil paints, synthetic bristle brushes offer the strength and resilience needed to work with thicker textures while maintaining their shape.

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Watercolour

Our soft synthetic brushes are ideal for watercolours, as they hold plenty of water and create smooth, flowing washes.

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Brush size

Small Brushes: Best for fine details, fine lines, or intricate work.

Medium Brushes: Great for general-purpose painting, medium detail, and blending.

Large Brushes: Used for covering large areas or creating bold strokes.

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Flat brushes

Good for bold, straight strokes, filling large areas, and creating sharp edges.

Round Brushes

Excellent for fine details, lines, and curves. Versatile for both fine lines and larger strokes.

Filbert Brushes

A combination of flat and round, ideal for soft, rounded strokes and blending.

Angle Brushes

Ideal for precision, creating sharp edges, and painting in hard-to-
reach corners.

Fan Brushes

Used for texture effects like foliage or clouds.

Mop Brushes

Typically used for watercolours to create soft, smooth washes.

Synthetic Bristles: These are made from man-made fibers (such as nylon or polyester). They’re durable, easy to clean, and affordable. Good for acrylics and watercolours.

Pros: Cost-effective, long-lasting, versatile.
Cons: Might not hold as much paint or provide the same smoothness as natural bristles, especially for oils.

How to ensure your different types of artist paint brushes last for longer

Tip 1: Choose the right brush for the job

Choosing between the different types of artist paint brushes can be tricky, however in doing so you ensure longevity and optimal performance. Different brushes are designed for specific textures and consistencies, so always choose accordingly.

Tip 2: Invest in quality brushes

High quality brushes not only perform better but also last longer with proper care. Look for well crafted brushes made from durable materials to enhance your painting experience.

Tip 3: Take care of your brushes

Always clean your brushes immediately after use. Use water for acrylics and watercolours, and appropriate solvents for oils. Gently reshape the bristles before drying to maintain their form.

Tip 4: Store and
protect properly

As part of our artist painting brush guide, we highly recommend storing your brushes upright or laying them down flat in a protective case. Avoid leaving them in water or solvents for extended periods, as this can weaken the bristles and handles.

Artist paint brush FAQs

Brush Sets: Convenient and often more cost-effective if you’re starting out. They offer a variety of shapes and sizes, allowing you to experiment with different techniques. However, you may not always need every brush in the set.

Individual Brushes: Ideal for artists who know exactly what they need. You can pick specific sizes and shapes suited to your style or project.

Always clean your brushes immediately after use. For acrylics and watercolours, rinse with warm water and mild soap. For oil paints, use a solvent before washing with soap and water. Store brushes upright or lay them flat to maintain their shape.

We do not recommend this. Different paint mediums require different brush characteristics. Using the same brush across mediums may lead to unwanted residue and damage over time.

Larger brushes (sizes 10+) are great for broad strokes and background work, while smaller brushes (size 2-6) are ideal for intricate details and fine lines.

“Great quality brushes. Easy to handle, smooth work and no streaks, no loose bristles, dream brushes!”

Why choose Harris Brushes for your artistic creations?

Superior
bristle quality

Harris paint brushes are crafted with natural bristles and synthetic filaments, ensuring superior paint pick-up and coverage with minimal bristle loss, perfect for your masterpieces.

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Specialised
product ranges

Our ‘Seriously Good’ range provides high quality brushes that perform well with minimal effort, while the ‘Ultimate’ range is designed for professional-level performance, featuring innovative technologies ideal for artists.

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No bristle
loss guarantee

The Harris Ultimate Paint Brushes come with a no bristle loss guarantee, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted painting experience. For artists, this will help maintain the integrity of the paint application.

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