If you’re interested in oil painting, you might be surprised to learn that selecting the right brushes can make a big difference in the final product. Consider the length and size of the brush, the size of the canvas you’ll be painting, and the bristle material when purchasing an oil painting brush. Some painters may want to purchase a set of brushes in order to try out different types and find the ones they like best. Others may simply want to have a variety of brushes to use.
When buying a paintbrush, the first thing a beginner painter should keep in mind is that the length of the brush handle is a good indicator of what type of painting it is best suited for. Brushes with longer handles are better for oil painting, while those with shorter handles are better for watercolor painting. The reason for this distinction is that an oil painter often paints while standing at an easel, whereas a watercolor painter usually paints while sitting.
When purchasing a paintbrush for oil painting, keep in mind the type of paintings you intend to create. If all of your artwork is done on small canvases, for example, a large 3-inch (7.62-cm) flat brush is unnecessary. Sable brushes, on the other hand, are a must-have for artists who specialize in creating paintings with a lot of small details. These brushes are also great for paintings where you don’t want your brush strokes to show through.
The type of material used in product construction is an important factor for the discriminating artist when selecting the best paintbrush for oil painting. Brushes with stiff hog-hair bristles are typically best for thick oil paint application. Consider investing in high-quality artist-grade brushes if you can afford it. If you’re on a tight budget, however, you can get by with cheaper hog brushes designed for student painters if you remember to replace them on a regular basis.
Although brushes are frequently sold individually, beginning oil painters often find that purchasing a set of brushes for their first projects is the most convenient option.
This is especially useful if you’re unsure which paintbrushes are best for you. As you work on perfecting your painting technique, you’ll have a variety of brushes to try out. You can even buy prepackaged sets with the most common types of paintbrushes used for these projects if you want to specialize in a specific area of painting, such as portraits or landscapes.
When looking for oil painting brushes, you may notice that your local art supply store has a large selection of acrylic paintbrushes that look similar. Acrylic paintbrushes can be used for oil painting in most cases. Oil paintbrushes should not be used with acrylic paints in most cases.