Acrylic Paint Brushes
Acrylic Paint Brushes – The Basics
As I am sure you know, acrylic painting can be very enjoyable. However, the type of acrylic brushes you use will have an impact on the quality or your finished paintings.
Painting is something we do because we enjoy it. However, there are times when we paint, it seems the painting itself wants to fight against us. These are the times when we will be glad to have spent the time and money to purchase quality tools.
As we discuss acrylic paint brushes, we also have oil paint brushes and watercolor brushes available. To some degree all three types of brushes can be interchangeable in these paint mediums.
Most of the information about the brush size, shapes and uses are common to all paint types. Originally, acrylic painters used oil paint brushes and some still are. But for the past several years a wide range of acrylic paint brushes have become available designed specifically for this medium. Although these paints are non-toxic, they are very hard on the brush fibers.
Today, manufacturers have developed several grades of acrylic paint brushes, all of which use a nylon filament. These are much more durable than natural fibers. Acrylic brush filament is coarser than nylon fibers used for watercolors, but they will make a slightly smoother brush stroke than if you would use a hogshair oil paint brush.
The flexibility of the bristles will vary due to the thickness or viscosity of the acrylic paints. With acrylic paints we go from one extreme to another. Some acrylic paint can be put on a surface with a trowel and at the opposite end, we can buy the same acrylic paints, but have a consistency of ink, that we can spray with an airbrush.
Acrylic paint brushes can be purchased in both short and long handled versions and acrylic paint brushes can be used with oil paints without any problem.
By using a longer handled brush, it will allow you to stand away from your work to see the painting as it progresses. If you hold the brush closer to the end of the handle, it will encourage a looser style in your painting.
Just keep in mind, when you paint, it’s what makes you feel more comfortable to determine what’s best for you and your painting.
