What Are The Essential Brushes For Oil Painting?

Tips for selecting the essential paintbrushes for oil painting.

Common Paintbrush Types:

• Round Paintbrushes
• Flat Paintbrushes
• Filbert Paintbrushes
• Fan Brushes
• And More

Oil Painting Brushes

When it comes to oil painting, the most important brushes are the ones that you enjoy using. I like paintbrushes that last a long time and hold their shape. Paintbrushes are ultimately a matter of personal preference.

Natural hair paintbrushes are generally recommended for oil painting, with sable hair brushes being the most popular choice. Hog hair brushes are also frequently used.

I prefer sable brushes because they are softer, making them better for painting details. In contrast, hog hair brushes are stiffer and work well for applying thick paint over larger areas.

There are synthetic bristle paintbrushes available for oil painting, and their quality seems to be improving over time.

Typically, paintbrushes for oil painting have longer handles than those used for other painting styles. A long handle allows the artist to stand further away from the canvas.

The Best Paintbrushes

The best paintbrushes for oil painting are the highest quality brushes that you can afford and find. Living in a rural area, I understand the challenges of locating good paintbrushes. While ordering online is often the best option, sometimes I need a new brush urgently. In my experience, the best local place to buy paintbrushes is the university bookstore, as they usually stock medium-quality brushes for their art students. My preferred online shop for paintbrushes is Rosemary and Co.

Paintbrush Sizes

Paintbrushes are available in a wide array of sizes. It is often recommended to start a painting with a larger brush. A large brush makes it easy to quickly lay in broad, flat areas of color. As you apply more layers of paint, transition to mid-sized brushes. Finally, use small paintbrushes for detailed elements in the final layers of an oil painting.

Conclusion:

Choosing paintbrushes for oil painting is a personal decision. I believe that natural bristle brushes are often superior to synthetic ones. Ultimately, the best brushes should maintain their shape over time. I recommend having a minimum of three different brush sizes on hand.

Author: Sonia Reeder-Jones