Like a painting that reflects the painter’s individual views and creativity, brushes are also personalized tools. A single brush does not fit perfectly for every painter and painting style. Do you know Helen Frankenthaler? She used paint rollers and house brushes to make her oil paintings come alive, which left a significant mark on the history of painting. Like her, who enjoyed being vibrant with her art brushes, you might also be looking for something extraordinary. Something that can help you become innovative with your acrylic painting.
However, you cannot find your style with any random paintbrush. Acrylic colours are known to be one of the most complex to handle. It would be best to have a particular paintbrush to make the colours look their best. What factors must you remember while choosing the right art brushes for acrylic paintings? Stay tuned if you are curious about what can make you express your creativity like Helen to its best!
What Is An Acrylic Paint?
Water-based acrylic paint is a mixture of pigment and acrylic polymer emulsion. Here, pigment is the solid substance carrying the colour in a granular form. It can be derived from synthetic or organic material. At the same time, acrylic polymer emulsion is a mixture of acrylic polymer and water. When applied to a surface, acrylic paint dries quickly without losing its colour. This is possible because the water mixed in the emulsion evaporates, leaving behind the pigmented colour.
After its application, the pigmented colour does not dissolve in the water but expands to cover the surface. Hence, it does not evaporate with the water. Know the complex nature of acrylic paint now. It would be best to have something that can handle the granulated colour and emulsion. Choosing an art brush that can smoothly and evenly spread the paint across the surface is also essential.
Factors To Know Before Buying Art Brushes For Acrylic Painting
It is essential to understand the factors that affect the smoothness of a brush stroke to determine which brush is best for doing an acrylic painting. These factors will help you select the right brush and bring more creativity to your painting:
- Suitable Bristle Material
If you use acrylic colours to complete your painting, you must be prepared for several things. It requires constant cleaning of brushes and consistent contact with water and chemicals. An organic bristle material might not be the right choice because it is easily damaged. Moisture further adds to the problem. The best option in such a situation is to use brushes with synthetic material. Like Art Sherpa, most synthetic brushes are made of nylon or polyester. The body of the brush can be made of natural elements like wood.
- Appropriate Shape & Size
The large variety of brushes might create a problem in selecting the right one. As we have already discussed, you must go with the synthetic brushes. They come in different sizes of handles, which doesn’t matter if you have experience working as an artist. Regarding the shape of the brush, it is better to go with the round one. Round brushes have a good volume that helps them hold granulated paint like acrylic colours. It also makes it easier for you to get more coverage and smoothness at every stroke. Round brushes come with different numbers that reflect the coverage, which means the more significant the size, the better the range. You can also use a big round brush to add details to your acrylic painting, as it has a pointed edge, making it versatile. If you are confused about which round brush size is perfect, take a set like Quill Goat Hair Brushes and use it however you want.
- Different textures & styles
A round brush might be the most suitable art brush to handle acrylic colours, but this doesn’t mean you cannot use anything else. You can use different brushes to derive different strokes and styles. It depends on what results you seek. Once you understand how acrylic paint works, you can experiment with your paint brushes and select different shapes to produce unique paintings. The different types of brushes that are available for you are:
- Angle Brush
- Wash Brush
- Fan Brush
- Filbert Brush
- Bright Brush
- Liner Brush
- Non-Conventional Brushes
While making an acrylic painting, let your creativity fly high. It is not mandatory to go traditionally; you can innovate your non-conventional painting style. We already discussed the non-conventional methods Helen Frankenthaler used to make her oil paintings stand out. With acrylic colours, you can be as creative as you want. You only need the right texture to bring the best out of your colours. You can use Q-tips, toothbrushes, hake, makeup, and mop brushes to attain a particular painting style. Remember to use a synthetic tool, as acrylic paints contain moisture and chemicals. You can also use resourceful, unique tools like sponges and Artist Brush Catalyst painting and crafting tools to create innovative, creative brush marks.
The Best Brushes For Beginners
We have a few recommendations if you are a beginner and need clarification about the best brush. Select a round brush with a small handle in sizes 4 and 8. Both these brushes are capable of covering bigger and smaller areas. You can also use them for fine detailing easily. Before you refine your painting skills with acrylic colours and start experimenting, using these brushes will give you a great experience in handling them. With a better understanding, you will learn to bring more smoothness to your strokes and understand your style.
Now that you know how to choose the most suitable art brush for an acrylic painting, show your creativity. Explore the brushes and colours we recommended and enhance your painting skills. Acrylic paints might be complex, but once you experience using them, you will find them one of the most versatile colours to showcase your artistry. It will also become easy for you to experiment with your style and create something unique. For more such content that will help you become a better artist and expand your creativity, stay tuned for our next blog!
