Art Brushes for Creating Artwork in Oil Color
Guide to the Artists' Paint Brush for Oil Painting on Canvas
Apr 30, 2009
Someone who is starting out in oil painting will at some point be confronted with rows of art brushes in art suppliers, not to mention the other equipment such as mediums. The question of which brush to purchase will create a dilemma not only in choice but expense. But this need not be so, for the question of which brush to include in the art kit is quite simple.
Bristle Brushes and the Sable Brush
Brand names for oil painting brushes might give the misleading impression that there are many different types of brushes. But really, there are really only two types of art brushes designed for oil painting.
Soft brushes: These are usually made from the hair of the sable. Sable brushes can be quite expensive, but synthetic substitutes can be used instead and suits the purpose perfectly well. These brushes are ideal for applying detail and smooth brushwork.
Stiff brushes: these are usually made from hog hair or a synthetic substitute. As the term suggests, stiff brushes are bristly and so are ideal for getting paint into the weave of the canvas. The ends of the bristles are split into “flags.” This enables the brush to hold more paint. These brushes are designed for applying larger areas of colour and for impasto.
Both types of brushes are sold in various shapes, the sizes of which are denoted by numbers, the higher the number the larger the brush.
Round, Rigger, Flat, Filbert and Fan Brush
Soft brushes and bristle brushes come in different shapes which are given names. The main ones are:
- Round brush: These brushes taper to a sharp point and is designed for detail such as hair.
- Rigger: These are like the round brush, but the bristles are much longer. This brush was originally intended for applying detail to the rigging of ships.
- Flat: These brushes end bluntly for the application of thick strokes of paint.
- Filbert: these brushes end bluntly like the flat, but the ends are more rounded off for soft strokes.
- Fan brush: The bristles fan out. These brushes are designed for the application of thin washes and for soft blending.
Art Brushes for the Beginner in Oils
The aspiring oil painter need not purchase all types of brushes when building confidence in painting. It is better to start with a small collection and build up gradually once the artist becomes familiar with their personal needs. But the following brushes are invaluable within a beginner’s kit.
- Size 3 sable or substitute round brush for fine detail, such as highlights and hair.
- Size 6 sable or substitute round brush for medium detail such as clothing.
- Size 6 hog hair or substitute flat brush for rough brushwork such as skies.
- Size 10 hog or substitute flat brush for the application of large areas of paint such as backgrounds.
Bristle brushes can be purchased for a DIY store, but watch out for the cheap brands that moult onto the painting. For the soft brushes, it is best to stick to a recommended brand such as Daler Rowney or Winsor & Newton.
Care of Oil Painting Brushes
The lifespan of oil painting brushes can be prolonged with care. After the end of each painting session, lather the bristles well, right up to the ferrule (the metal banding that holds the bristles in place) in soap or neat washing up liquid. Rinse off in warm water. Repeat until all traces or paint is gone. Press the bristle back into shape with a little Vaseline and store pointing upwards in a jar.
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