Brush shapes
There are lots of different brush shapes around, we thought we'd try and explain a little bit about several of them for those of you who didn't know already!
Short flat
Used with Old Holland oil paint Turquoise blue deep. Good for broad strokes, spreading paint evenly and quickly across the surface.
Long flat
Used for the same purposes as a short flat, can hold more paint as it's longer.
Filbert
Filberts are similar to flats but the hairs are domed at the top. Good coverage, as with flats, but also good for detail (using the edge of the brush).
Rigger
Used with Golden acrylic- Pyrrole red. A round brush with very long hairs, very good with creating fine lines. They are named riggers as they were often used to paint rigging on pictures of ships. Work well with water. Designed to retain point and shape.
One stroke
Often used by sign writers to create block letters in one stroke. Precision to detail, good spring and strong lines of block colour.
Sword liner
Long haired brush, very good with water for creating long, smooth lines. It has adaptability- can be used to create thick or narrow lines using different parts of the brush.
Fan
Fans are mainly used for blending broad areas of paint. The shape of the brush can also be used to create interesting effects- good for creating trees by using the brush in a stippled manner.
Deerfoot
Short, stubbly round brush. Good for effects, blending, dabbing. Creating texture is one the the main uses for this brush- it is great for painting trees, flowers etc.
Angled flat
Very versatile, can be used for both detail and for general painting.
Dagger
Good for painting grass and reeds as can create thick to narrow lines. This brush is also good for floral painting.
Comb
Some other brushes:
Bright- Similar to flats but with shorter bristles, good for thick, impasto work. Mop- a large, soft brush with a domed head. Absorbs water well, is often used for washes in watercolour painting.
Used with Old Holland oil paint Turquoise blue deep. Good for broad strokes, spreading paint evenly and quickly across the surface.
Long flat
Used for the same purposes as a short flat, can hold more paint as it's longer.
Filbert
Filberts are similar to flats but the hairs are domed at the top. Good coverage, as with flats, but also good for detail (using the edge of the brush).
Rigger
Used with Golden acrylic- Pyrrole red. A round brush with very long hairs, very good with creating fine lines. They are named riggers as they were often used to paint rigging on pictures of ships. Work well with water. Designed to retain point and shape.
One stroke
Often used by sign writers to create block letters in one stroke. Precision to detail, good spring and strong lines of block colour.
Sword liner
Long haired brush, very good with water for creating long, smooth lines. It has adaptability- can be used to create thick or narrow lines using different parts of the brush.
Fan
Fans are mainly used for blending broad areas of paint. The shape of the brush can also be used to create interesting effects- good for creating trees by using the brush in a stippled manner.
Deerfoot
Short, stubbly round brush. Good for effects, blending, dabbing. Creating texture is one the the main uses for this brush- it is great for painting trees, flowers etc.
Angled flat
Very versatile, can be used for both detail and for general painting.
Dagger
Good for painting grass and reeds as can create thick to narrow lines. This brush is also good for floral painting.
Comb
Some other brushes:
Bright- Similar to flats but with shorter bristles, good for thick, impasto work. Mop- a large, soft brush with a domed head. Absorbs water well, is often used for washes in watercolour painting.
