Core Artist Brush Shapes

At the foundation of all brushwork are the universal shapes every artist encounters. Rounds offer unmatched versatility, shifting from hairline detail to broad strokes through pressure alone. Flats provide structure, strong edges and confident planes of colour. Filberts soften those edges, making them ideal for modelling form, flesh and atmospheric passages. Brights, with their shorter hair, deliver control and strength for thick paint and precise placement. These shapes form the backbone of brush literacy. Once understood, they allow artists to translate intention into mark with confidence, regardless of medium.

Fibre and Shape: The Artist’s Decision

Ultimately, shape and fibre work together. A Rigger in soft squirrel behaves very differently from one in springy synthetic. A Filbert in hog bristle pushes paint aggressively; in soft synthetic, it blends gently. A Flat in soft squirrel hair can lay down a delicate wash: in stiff synthetic, it applies large areas of thick paint with bold strokes. Modern brushmaking gives artists more choice than ever—natural hairs for tradition and sensitivity, synthetics for durability, ethics and consistency, and blended fibres for a balance and optimisation of both. Understanding specialised shapes and fibre, empowers artists to choose tools intentionally, unlocking techniques that feel effortless rather than forced.

Let's not forget about the Handle!

When choosing a brush, the handle is just as important as the fibre and shape. Long handles are traditionally used for easel painting, allowing artists to work at arm’s length, encouraging freer, more gestural strokes and better overall composition awareness. Short handles suit tabletop work such as watercolour, ink and detail painting, offering close control and precision. Some modern brushes feature faceted handles to prevent the brush from rolling off the table, an understated but welcome studio advantage. Wider, flat handles are often paired with large wash or priming brush shapes, providing comfort and even pressure for broad passages. Handle balance, weight and finish all influence fatigue, control and confidence during long painting sessions.

Stiff Brushes for Oil, Acrylic Texture & Surface Preparation

Certain brushes exist to withstand physical work.
Hog Bristle brushes dominate oil painting for their strength, resilience and ability to move thick paint. They are the work horse of oil painting, providing a unique painterly feel and complete control of paint,form, edge and texture. Always look for a hog bristle brush that has a strong belly to the hair shape and is well formed at the tip. An important feature of hog bristle is the tips 'flag'. Premium quality natural hair is split at the end into a delicate fork that softens the end and doubles the surface area. As they wear,these flags break off and result in a less supple brush.
Modern Synthetics now rival bristle for durability while offering easier cleaning and consistency. For acrylic painting, artists need brushes that are resilient, springy and easy to clean. Firm synthetic fibres are often preferred, as they withstand frequent washing and fast-drying paint without losing shape. Bristle suits textured, expressive work, while quality synthetics offer smooth application, durability and consistent performance across glazing, layering and bold mark-making.
A good Gesso or Priming brush must be strong, durable and able to move thick material evenly without shedding or splaying. Artists look for firm fibres, wide profiles, good spring and comfortable handles that allow controlled pressure during repeated, vigorous surface preparation. These brushes aren’t about subtlety, they’re about building structure, energy and surface integrity.

Watercolour & Fluid Media Specialists

For Watercolour, Gouache and Ink, artists need brushes that balance fluid control, responsiveness and reliable point retention. Water media rewards brushes that manage flow, timing and edge quality.
Round brushes are valued for versatility, offering fine lines and expressive washes through pressure changes, while Flats provide crisp edges, even colour passages and graphic clarity. Traditional Kolinsky Sable excels for spring, precision and water-holding capacity, while Squirrel offers softness and generous flow for washes. Modern high-end Synthetics now rival natural fibres, delivering excellent absorption, consistent points and durability, making them ideal for contemporary, travel and ethical studio practice.
Mops and Wash brushes are designed to hold and release large amounts of water smoothly, making them ideal for broad washes, skies, soft transitions and pre-wetting paper. Traditionally made from squirrel, modern synthetic mop fibres now offer similar softness and capacity with improved durability, shape retention and easy care.
Hake brushes feature wide, flat profiles with soft hair, traditionally goat, designed for broad washes, wetting paper and lifting colour. Their gentle, even stroke makes them ideal for watercolour, ink and expressive atmospheric painting without visible brushmarks.

Mottlers, Flat Wash & Large Surface Brushes

Mottlers are wide, flat brushes with long, soft hair, traditionally made from squirrel or now commonly from advanced soft synthetic fibres or high quality soft bristle. They are designed for smooth, even applications such as backgrounds, skies, glazing and varnishing, where the goal is uniform coverage rather than visible brushwork. In painting, mottlers are invaluable for establishing atmosphere, soft transitions and colour unity early in a composition, particularly in large-scale watercolour, oil or acrylic works. For Varnishing, their gentle fibres allow artists to lay down a flawless, uninterrupted film without disturbing underlying paint layers. Large wash flats and decorator-style brushes serve similar purposes, especially when toning grounds or applying broad colour masses. Ultimately, these brushes succeed through generous capacity, softness and controlled, even release, not finesse or expressive mark-making.

Riggers, Liners & Dagger Brushes

Riggers (also called liners or script brushes) are defined by their long, narrow hair and fine point. Originally developed for painting ship rigging, they excel at continuous lines, branches, grasses, wires, calligraphy and signature marks. Their length allows paint to flow smoothly without frequent reloading, encouraging expressive, uninterrupted strokes. In oil and acrylic, riggers are invaluable for linear accents and final detailing. In watercolour, they demand confident timing and pressure control. These brushes reward decisiveness and are best used sparingly, but when mastered, they add elegance and energy to a painting.
Dagger and Sword liner brushes feature angled or elongated shapes that create dynamic, calligraphic strokes. They excel at expressive lines, foliage, waves and lettering, allowing artists to vary line width and direction fluidly within a single, confident stroke.

Overgrainers, Fans, Fitches & Decorative Specialists

Some brushes originate in decorative and faux-finishing traditions but remain powerful fine art tools.
Overgrainers are long, soft flats designed to drag, blend or texture paint subtly, excellent for wood grain effects, soft transitions and layered atmospheres. Fitches are short, flat brushes used for precision edging, glazing and controlled blending.
Stencil brushes, with short, firm hair and flat tops, are ideal for stippling, dry-brush effects and controlled texture.
Fan brushes, often misunderstood, are specialised tools for feathering edges, breaking up marks and creating organic textures like foliage or hair.

These specialist styles of brush encourage experimentation and restraint; used thoughtfully, they add nuance without overpowering a composition.

As a practising artist, I’ve learned, sometimes the hard way, that how you care for your brushes has as much impact on your work as the brushes themselves. A beautifully made brush is a precision tool, and whether it’s a prized Kolinsky round, a favourite filbert, or a tough synthetic workhorse, good cleaning habits can mean the difference between a brush that lasts years and one that’s ruined in weeks. Across all mediums, brush care isn’t complicated, but it does demand consistency and respect. See below for some handy hints for keeping your precious brushes clean and in good condition.

Gamblin Gamsol Odourless Mineral Spirits

$17.43

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Escoda Cream Soap and Conditioner for Brushes 100grm

$25.12

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Escoda Artist Brush and Hand Soap

$25.12

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Chelsea Classical Soap

$35.78

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The Masters Brush Cleaner

$8.05

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Premium Brush Washer - Large with Lid

$65.95

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Premium Brush Washer - Small with Lid

$37.35

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Holbein Brush Washer 1052-6A

$57.20

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The golden rule: never let paint dry in the brush

This is the most important principle, regardless of medium. Dried paint creeps into the ferrule, forcing hairs apart and destroying the brush’s shape from the inside. Once paint dries there, no amount of cleaning will truly restore the brush. Even during long painting sessions, get into the habit of rinsing brushes regularly and reshaping them between passages.

Watercolour brushes - especially those made from natural hair or high-end synthetics, are delicate instruments. After each session, rinse thoroughly in clean, lukewarm water until it runs clear. Avoid hot water, which can soften glue inside the ferrule and damage fibres. For natural hair brushes, a mild brush soap used occasionally will remove residue and help maintain spring and point.Gently reshape the tip with your fingers and allow the brush to dry horizontally or with the head pointing downward. Never stand a wet brush upright, water can seep into the ferrule and weaken the binding. With good care, a quality watercolour brush can remain razor-sharp for years.

Oil painting - demands more robust cleaning, but also more care than many artists realise. The common mistake is relying too heavily on harsh solvents. While mineral spirits or turpentine will remove oil paint, overuse strips natural oils from the hair and shortens the life of the brush.My approach is to wipe excess paint thoroughly on a rag first, this step alone removes most of the paint. I then use a small amount of solvent only if needed, followed immediately by proper soap and water. Brush soaps designed for artists are ideal, but a gentle, natural soap can also work. Work the soap gently into the hairs, rinse thoroughly, and repeat until the water runs clear.Always reshape the brush before drying. Hog bristle brushes in particular benefit from careful reshaping, as splayed bristles affect paint handling. Store clean, dry brushes flat or upright only once fully dry.

Acrylic paint - is the most unforgiving medium when it comes to brush care. Once it dries, it’s permanent. That means vigilance is essential. Keep brushes wet while working and never leave them standing in water, this bends fibres and encourages paint to creep into the ferrule.Clean acrylic brushes immediately after use with water and mild soap. For stubborn residue, specialised acrylic brush cleaners can help, but prevention is far better than cure. Many artists choose durable synthetic brushes for acrylic work precisely because they tolerate frequent washing and tougher handling.

Gouache - behaves much like watercolour but can dry more stubbornly due to its opacity. Clean brushes promptly and thoroughly, using gentle soap when needed. Mixed media artists should be especially attentive, switching between inks, acrylics, mediums and collage adhesives can leave unexpected residues. When in doubt, wash the brush sooner rather than later.

Special brushes for Varnish and Grounds - Some brushes deserve single-purpose dedication. Varnish brushes should never be used for paint, as even small residues can ruin a smooth finish. Clean varnish brushes immediately with the appropriate solvent, followed by soap and water, then store them carefully to protect their soft edges.Gesso and ground brushes are workhorses, but they still need proper cleaning. Scrub out primer thoroughly before it dries, reshape, and allow to dry fully. Even tough brushes last longer with basic care.

Storage and long-term care

Once clean and dry, store brushes with care. Avoid crushing heads in jars or drawers. Brush rolls or cases protect shapes, especially for travel. For natural hair brushes, occasional conditioning with a dedicated brush soap helps maintain suppleness.

Caring for brushes isn’t just maintenance, it’s respect for your tools and your practice. A well-cared-for brush responds better, feels more predictable, and ultimately helps you paint with greater confidence. Expensive brushes earn their value over time, and good care ensures they continue to reward you every time they touch the surface.