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Basic Brush Shapes

Round

An all-purpose brush for fine detail and outlining thick to thin lines.
Round ferrule, round or pointed tip. Useful for detail, wash, and fills. A detailer is a pointed round with very short hair.   Use with all media.

Flat

For broad, sweeping strokes and for laying in large areas of color like the sky, or on edge for fine lines.  Flat ferrule, square-ended, with medium to long hairs. Provides lots of color capacity and easy maneuverability. Use heavier filling for heavier paint.  Use with all media.

Shader

For blending and large, even strokes. Creates crisp clean edges.

Bright

Similar to Flats, but with shorter stubbier bristles which provides more control than Flats. Produces short, controlled strokes, even with thick or heavy color. Flat ferrule, short-length hairs, usually set in a long handle. Width and length of brush head is about equal. Use with oil, acrylic, or decorative paint.

Filbert

For edges and areas requiring tight control. Gives a rounded look to a flat stroke and is suitable for blending and figurative work. Thick, flat ferrule and oval-shaped medium to long hairs. Long handles. Natural hair is more suitable for blending because the hairs hold together when wet. Use with oil, acrylic, or decorative paint.

Angular

A versatile brush used to paint sharply defined edges. Flat ferrule, short-length hairs, set with longer hairs at one end. Useful for precise strokes, as well as for lines and curves. Use with thick or heavy color. Use with oil, acrylic, or decorative paint.

Fan

For blending and softening the edges of other strokes. Dry brushing to create special effects like grass, trees, hair, and shrubbery. Flat ferrule, spread hairs. Natural hair is more suitable for soft blending, and synthetic works well for textural effects. Use with oil, acrylic, or decorative paint.

Wash

For broad strokes and blending or for laying in large areas of water. Wash brushes come in varied shapes. The square wash can produce varying shapes and widths. Use with watercolor.

Stroke

Flat ferrule, square-ended medium to long length hairs. Short handles. Carries lots of color. Great for painting block letters in one stroke.

Hake

Oriental-style wash brush on a long flat handle. It is useful for laying in large areas of water or color, for wetting the surface, and for absorbing excess paint. Use with watercolor or acrylic paint.

Liner

Extra-long hairs and a short handle and round ferrule. Carries lots of color. Handy for delicate lettering, outlining, and long continuous strokes. Also known as an outliner. Large color carrying capacity. Useful for delicate lettering, outlining, and long continuous strokes. Use with acrylic paint or even ink.

Mop

Round, full version of the wash brush, made of soft, absorbent natural hair. It is useful for laying in large areas of water or color, for wetting the surface, and for absorbing excess media. Use with watercolor.

For information on brush selection, please click here.