Oil Paint Brushes

The brush fibers in oil paintbrushes are generally firmer and stiffer than those found in watercolor brushes, although many of these brushes can also be used with acrylics, gouache, watercolors, water-mixable oils, and other types of paints and mediums. Oil Paint Brushes. Get your business supplies in bulk and at a great, low price 365 days a year with MichaelsPro™ Packs. Next on our list of recommendations for oil paint brushes is an all-out winner for students, beginners, and hobbyists. Grumbacher offers the student-grade Academy brushes, made of white nylon synthetic fibers. These brushes are excellent for use with oil as well as acrylic paint. Rosemary and co oil brushes. The oval end of the Series 91 can be used to both make sweeping strokes but also fine lines when held vertically.

There are paint brushes made for oil based products and brushes for water-based products. Brushes come in a variety sizes, shapes, handle types and of course, different qualities. Choosing the right brush will make your work easier, faster and better.

Bristle Type

Natural bristles typically are made with animal hair. Chinese bristle is usually made with hog's hair or ox hair. They are best for oil based paints, varnishes, shellacs, and other finishes. Natural bristles should never be used with water based (latex) paints. The water is absorbed by the natural bristle and causes the brush to swell up. Natural bristles develop splits in the tip (flagging) which results in smoother application of the paint and thus fewer brush strokes.

Synthetic bristles include nylon, polyester and nylon/polyester blend. A synthetic bristle is the proper choice for water based (latex) paints. Nylon and nylon/poly blend brushes can be used for oil or water based paints, but a polyester brush is best suited only for latex paints.

Foam brushes can be used for oil or water based paints. They work best with thin products, like stain and polyurethane finishes. They wear out quickly and are best used as throw away task brushes. Extended use of a foam brush can result in bits of the foam breaking off and sticking to the finish.

Brush Size

Choose a brush that matches the size of what you are painting. Wide brushes hold a lot of paint and cover more area and so are the best choice for painting walls. A small brush (1 to 2 inches) should always be used for painting narrow trim and small surfaces. Don't turn a wide brush sideways to use the narrow edge, that will damage the brush.

Brush Task

Professional Artist Paint Brushes

Brush size is a factor in the selection of the right brush, but the cut and tips of the bristles are also a factor. A sash brush is sized for fine work on window sashes and trim. An angled sash brush cuts the bristles across the width at an angle, allowing more control in delicate, close-in work.

The tips of some brushes are beveled across the thickness of the brush. The bevel allows more control for 'cutting-in' paint; for example, cutting-in the line between a wall and the ceiling.

Brush Quality

The quality of a brush is reflected in the price. A quality brush has more bristles, properly sized-sized spacers between the bristles, a rust-resistant ferrule to secure the bristles and uses top-quality bristles. A quality brush will hold more paint, will provide smoother, brush mark free results and, with care, will last a lifetime.

Cheap brushes will rust, lose bristles and typically have a large spacer that reduces the number of bristles. Fewer and low quality bristles means more dipping into the paint can and more work in trying to get a smooth, brush-mark free finish.