Flat Brushes

Flat Brushes for Acrylics, Oil, and Watercolor

A flat brush is part of every painter's toolkit. Use the broad side to paint areas and backgrounds, and the narrow edge for lines and sharp edges. We have almost a hundred flat brushes and sets in stock from Rosa, da Vinci, Royal & Langnickel, KREUL, KOLOS, and Nassau.

How to Choose a Flat Brush

• For acrylics – synthetic brushes, such as the Solo Goya synthetic flat brush or the inexpensive ROSA BREEZE 1226F.
• For watercolor – a soft brush that holds water, such as the KOLOS Classic 3016 squirrel-hair flat brush.
• For oil – stiff natural bristles, such as the goat-hair brush set.
• For surfaces, gesso, and varnish – wide brushes called mottlers, such as the da Vinci Fit Synthetics 5073.
• For crafts and school – the Rosa Hobby & craft flat brush.

Flat, Rounded (Filbert), or Angled?

A flat brush makes sharp edges and straight strokes. A rounded flat brush (filbert) has a softer edge, making it suitable for transitions, petals, and portraits. An angled brush has a slanted edge and helps with corners and precise lines. For details, use round brushes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flat Brushes

What size flat brush do I need?

Two or three flat brushes are a good place to start: a narrow one (about 6 mm) for edges, a medium one (12–15 mm), and a wide one (25 mm or more) for backgrounds.

Is a flat brush suitable for acrylics?

Yes, synthetic flat brushes are the most commonly used brushes for acrylics, for backgrounds, skies, large areas of color, and geometric shapes.

How do I keep a flat brush in shape?

After washing, use your fingers to shape it into a straight edge and lay it flat to dry. Don't leave it standing in water, or the bristles may bend.