Media: all
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Description and Usage: Synthetic brushes are man-made of either nylon or polyester filaments. They can be tapered, tipped, flagged, abraded, or etched to increase color-carrying ability. Often, synthetic filaments are dyed and baked to make them softer and more absorbent. The common name for this filament is "taklon." Synthetic brushes have several distinct advantages over natural fiber brushes. These advantages include durability, cleaning ease, and the ability to better withstand the caustic nature of paints (particularly acrylics) and solvents.
Media: acrylic, oil
Description and Usage: Hog bristle is obtained from hogs in several areas of the world, but the most desired variety comes from China. Bristle is unlike any other natural fiber, in that it forms a V-shaped split or "flag" at the tip and tends to have a natural curve. A brush with "interlocked" bristles, with the curves formed inward to the ferrule, has a natural resistance to fraying and spreads medium to thick paints smoothly and evenly. Pure hog bristle brushes are recommended primarily for oil painting, and is often used with acrylics as well.
Media: oil, watercolor
Description and Usage: Kolinsky sable is not actually sable, but comes from the tail of a species of mink that is a member of the weasel family found in Siberia and northeastern China. Because of its strength, spring, and ability to retain its shape (or "snap"), it is considered the finest fiber for watercolor and oil brushes. It also holds a very fine point or edge. Kolinsky is considered to be a professional grade of brush fiber, and if properly cared for, will last for many years.
Media: oil, watercolor
Description and Usage: Red sable is obtained from any member of the weasel family with "red" hair, not from sable. It is found in a variety of brush styles for a variety of media, with quality and characteristics varying greatly. High-quality pure red sable is a good alternative to the more expensive kolinsky, with similar performance and durability. Often, weasel hair is blended with ox hair to make a more economical brush, but the fine point is sacrificed.
Media: watercolor
Description and Usage: Dense, soft, absorbent, and with far less spring than sable, squirrel hair brushes are ideal for watercolor wash techniques, lettering, and for applications where a smooth finish is required. Gray squirrel (also known as taleutky) hair is strong and long, primarily used to make lettering quills. Kazan, derived from the tail of a breed found in Russia, is prized for its tip and often found in fine watercolor brushes.
Media: acrylic, tempera, watercolor
Description and Usage: Pony is a soft hair derived from mature animals that are at least two years old. It is primarily used for scholastic-grade brushes, but often blended with other natural fibers in inexpensive watercolor and touch-up brushes.
Media: ink, watercolor
Description and Usage: Goat hair is a soft brush fiber frequently used for quill, mop, and wash brushes designed for soft blending with watercolors, oils, acrylics, inks, and encaustics. Goat hair brushes are also ideal for calligraphy, hand lettering, and ceramic glazes. An economical natural fiber ideal for water washes, goat hair is a suitable substitute for more expensive sable.
Media: acrylic, tempera, watercolor
Description and Usage: The best quality ox hair comes from the ears of either cattle or oxen. It has a very strong body with a silken texture, is very resilient, and has good snap, but lacks a fine tip. Therefore, it is most useful in medium-grade wash brushes or flat-shaped brushes. Frequently, ox hair is blended with other natural fiber to increase the resiliency of a brush.
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Media: oil
Description and Usage: Traditionally used to blend oil paint on canvas, badger hair comes from various areas of the world and is more readily available than most natural fibers, although the quality varies greatly. Badger hair is thickest at the point, and relatively thin at the root, so it has a distinctive "bushy" appearance.
Media: tempera, watercolor
Description and Usage: Camel hair does not actually come from camels. Often found in watercolor or lettering brushes, it is usually composed of a blend of lesser-quality natural fibers which can change depending on the desired softness and intended cost of the brush.
You're browsing through the brushes at the art store and become overwhelmed by all the types available. Don't sweat it, we've all been there. The biggest category you might notice however, is natural hair bristle brushes and synthetic bristle brushes, which is what we'll go over in this article. Both of these paint brushes have their own unique qualities and work great in different situations, so let's break down what they are.
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Natural hair bristle brushes are made from the hair of animals such as sable, squirrel, and hog. These types of brushes have a natural ability to hold and release paint, which make them ideal for fine detail work and blending. They are also very durable and can withstand heavy use without losing their shape. The downside is that they can be expensive and are not as easy to clean compared to synthetic brushes.
On the other hand, synthetic bristle brushes are made from materials such as nylon or polyester. They are more affordable than natural hair brushes and are easier to clean. Synthetic brushes can be used with a variety of paints, including oils and acrylics. These reasons are what make synthetic brushes a popular option for many. Their downside is that they may not have the same ability to hold and release paint as natural hair brushes.
When it comes to choosing a brush for oil painting, it's often reccomended to use natural hair brushes because the natural fibers of the brush hold the oil paint load really well, making it easier to create fine detail and blend colors. However, it's important to understand that a lot of this depends on how you work with your paint. There are many artists that find that incorporating synthetic brush into their paintings works quite well. There are a several brands out there that produce synthetic brushes with a stiffer, more unique feel, meant for oil painting that might be worth a try.
For acrylic painting, both natural hair and synthetic brushes can be used, so it's up to the artists preference. Synthetic brushes are the suggested brush for acrylic painting as they are easier to clean. You can certainly use natural hair brushes for acrylic painting too, you just need to be on top of keeping them clean and cared for properly.
There most likely wont be a single type of brush that will do it all for you. A lot of times the natural bristle brushes will be great for underpaintings and blocking in, while the natural hair brushes will allow you to finesse the paint for a delicate finish.
Natural bristle brushes, such as hog hair brushes, are considered to be better for blocking in a painting or applying large areas of color to the canvas. This is because natural hair brushes have a stiffer texture which gives them the ability to push and release the paint. These brushes are perfect for times that you're working with thicker paints. Synthetic brushes, while they can be used for blocking in, tend to have a softer texture and may not hold as much of a paint load, which can make it more difficult to achieve the control and coverage that you're after.
Another advantage of natural bristle brushes is that they hold their shape well over time, which is also very useful when blocking in a painting. Due to the nature of synthetic brushes, they tend to lose their shape more quickly when working on large areas like this. And finally, natural bristle brushes, particularly hog hair, are known for their durability. This typically makes them a more cost-effective option in the long run.
Synthetic hair brushes may be better for adding final details in your painting because they have a softer texture than natural hair brushes, which can make them more suitable for fine detail work.
Synthetic brushes, that are made of nylon or polyester fibers, are often smoother and more consistent in shape and texture than natural hair brushes. This is can be beneficial for fine details because it gives you more precision in application. The synthetic fibers are also less likely to split, which makes it simpler to achieve fine lines, even blends, and strokes.
It's also worth noting though, that some artists do prefer to use synthetic hair brushes for oil painting as well. It just depends on the paint they are using and the style of their work. Ultimately, the choice of brush depends on the type of paint you're using and the style/preference of the artist.
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I hope that this has helped clear up any confusion you might have had about natural vs synthetic paintbrushes. Once you become a little more experienced with what you prefer, you'll be able to identify a good brush by looks and feel. A lot of times you'll find that the best brushes for your purpose are not always the most expensive ones, so don't be afraid to experiment with new ones.