Brushes

Painting and Art Brushes

At ARTMiE, you’ll find painting brushes for professionals, students, schools, and hobby crafting. We have over 300 brushes and sets in stock from Princeton, Royal & Langnickel, Rosa, da Vinci, Daler Rowney, Roubloff, Pebeo, Jovi, and ARTMiE, including flat, round, angled, fan, liner, and wide background brushes.

Which Brush to Use for Acrylic Paints

Acrylic dries quickly and is thicker, so it needs a brush that springs back into shape after each stroke and holds up to frequent washing. Synthetic brushes are the best choice, such as da Vinci FORTE-ACRYLICS, designed specifically for acrylics, or the Solo Goya Flat Synthetic Brush. For thick layers and impasto, choose stiffer synthetic bristles or a painting knife.

Which Brushes to Use for Oil Paints

Oil paint is thick and is often applied in a heavy body (thick) style, so it needs stiff brushes that can carry the paint and leave a mark in it. White bristle is a classic choice; for softer color transitions and transparent layers, use synthetic brushes with firmer fibers. Try the Royal & Langnickel 15-Piece Set of Bristle and Natural Hair Brushes, the mixed Pebeo 8-Piece Set of Bristle and Synthetic Brushes, or the Princeton Imperial Flat Brush for Oil Painting. Clean oil paint from brushes with thinner, then soap. Find the steps in our how to clean brushes guide.

Which Brushes to Use for Watercolor and Gouache

A watercolor brush needs to hold plenty of water and keep its point. Soft natural hair works best, such as the ROSA Gallery Squirrel Round Brush, or use a quality soft synthetic brush like Daler-Rowney Aquafine. For large wet areas, use a wide mop, such as the Daler-Rowney Goat Hair Mop Brush. Soft synthetic brushes are all you need for gouache: flat brushes for areas and round brushes for details.

Brush Types and What They’re Used For

• Flat brushes – for backgrounds, areas, sharp edges, and broad strokes.
• Round brushes – for details, lines, leaves, and fine brushwork.
• Angled brushes – for edges, corners, and precise transitions.
• Fan brushes – for grass, trees, textures, and soft blending.
• Liners – long, thin brushes for branches, hair, and signatures.
• Filbert brushes – rounded flat brushes for soft transitions, petals, and portraits.
• Mop brushes – large, soft brushes for watercolor washes and transparent layers.
• Background brushes – wide brushes for applying gesso, primer, and varnish.

Synthetic or Natural Brushes?

Synthetic brushes are versatile, durable, and especially suitable for acrylics and hobby use. Natural brushes made from squirrel or kolinsky hair hold water well, so they are used for watercolor. Stiff natural bristles are a classic choice for oil painting. For a detailed comparison, see our article on natural or synthetic brushes.

Brushes for Schools and Beginners

The affordable, durable da Vinci FIT 373 Brush is a great choice for school and art clubs. To get started with acrylics, a set of a few flat and round brushes is enough, such as the ARTMiE 4-Piece Set of Synthetic Brushes or the Nassau 7-Piece Brush Set. Find more options in the brush sets category.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brushes

Which brushes should a beginner buy for acrylics?

4 to 6 synthetic brushes are enough: two flat brushes (one narrow and one wide), two round brushes (one fine for details and one medium), and one wide brush for backgrounds. You can get them cheapest in a set.

How do I clean acrylic paint off brushes?

While the paint is wet, wash the brush in lukewarm water with soap and reshape it. Don’t leave brushes standing in water with the tip pointing down, and don’t let acrylic paint dry on the brush. Dried acrylic is very difficult to remove. Find more tips in the article how to clean brushes properly.

What do the numbers on brushes mean?

The number indicates the size. The higher the number, the wider the brush. Sizes vary between manufacturers, though, so compare the width in millimeters instead. The article how to choose the right brush size can help.

Can I use the same brush for acrylics and oils?

You can, but oil paints are cleaned with solvent, and residue may affect acrylics. If you paint with both techniques, it’s more practical to have separate brushes for each.