As an artist, you know that having the right tools is essential for creating beautiful works of art. Oil paint brushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each with their own unique benefits. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, finding the right brush for your needs is crucial.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of the seven best oil paint brushes to help you create stunning works of art. From natural bristles that are absorbent and provide good color control to synthetic fibers that are easy to clean and provide smooth coverage, we’ve got you covered. So, read on to find the perfect brush for your needs.
More features: Chinese hog bristles, seamless corrosion resistant ferrules
The Winsor & Newton Winton Hog Bristle Brush is our Editor’s Choice for the best oil paint brush. This brush is specifically designed for use with oil-based paint, and its natural hog bristles provide excellent color control and absorbency. It’s available in a variety of sizes to suit your needs.
Despite the modest price tag, the Winsor & Newton Winton Hog Brushes are very high quality and hand set into seamless ferrules. The natural curve ensures that the brush remains resilient whether you’re using oils or acrylics. Unlike many brushes, the turned in shape remains to allow control and accuracy even after heavy use.
More features: Chinese white hog bristle, triple crimp ferrule, handmade in Spain
The Escoda 4700FB Clasico Series Brush Set offers great quality, natural hair brushes. They allow you to make confident brush strokes, regardless of your painting style and whether you use acrylics or oils. This 6-piece set is handmade in Spain and includes brushes in sizes 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. They’re packed in a beautiful wood box, making them a great gift option.
Unlike some of the brushes on the market, the Escoda Clasicos have fantastic, long handles. While they may have a premium price tag, this is a great set if you’re not loyal to one medium and want versatile, high quality brushes.
More features: custom designed, comes with compact carrying case
The D’Artisan Shoppe Paint Brush Set is an ideal choice if you’re looking for professional style brushes that are ideal whether you need precision for small areas or want to create confident, broad brush strokes. The set includes a mix of 4 natural hog hair bristle brushes and 11 synthetic bristle brushes, so you can find the perfect brush for your needs. The brushes are also designed to work with all paint types, so you can use them regardless of the type of paint you’re using.
Synthetic bristle brushes allow you to paint fine details to a high finish. However, the ergonomic triangular handles ensure you feel comfortable as you hold them and paint. Unlike other paint brush sets on our list, this set comes with a lightweight, compact carrying case, making it easy to take with you wherever you go.
More features: super stiff yet still extremely responsive, designed for use with medium- to heavy-body acrylics and oil paints
These are some of the best synthetic oil paint brushes available on the market. The bristles are made of synthetic fibers, which makes them durable and able to withstand heavy-body paints. The set includes a variety of different brush types, so you can find the right one for your painting needs.
The Catalyst Polytip Bristle brushes are a superb Princeton innovation. They feature breakthrough technology to ensure that the synthetic bristles are super stiff while remaining extremely responsive. The Polytip feature means that the tip of each individual bristle has been split to replicate the flags that naturally occur on the finest non synthetic bristles, but you have the reassurance of integrity in water. While the Princeton Aspen brushes have similar technology, the black and wood finish gives the Catalyst brushes a classic look.
More features: easy to clean, good elasticity, durable
As the name suggests, Da Vinci College Synthetic Brushes are specifically designed for students. This set contains two Series 8730 Rounds sizes 2 and 6, and three Series 8740 Flats sizes 4, 8, and 12. They feature strong synthetic, supple fibers that have good elasticity and are easy to clean that are ideal for students who want to advance to the next painting levels.
These are reliable, durable brushes that can deliver years of solid performance at a reasonable price point. While the DaVinci brushes may not have the handle length of some of the other brushes on this list, it does make them a little easier to transport to classes.
More features: black handle made from reforested wood, a matte black ferrule
The Princeton Aspen 6500 Synthetic Brushes are some of the best oil paint brushes for plein air painting. They come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, and have both long and short handle options. The elegantly polished black handles are made from reforested wood, and the matte black ferrules eliminate light reflection when painting on site. These brushes are a great option for any oil painter, especially those who paint outdoors.
Princeton Aspen 6500 Synthetic Brushes are made with quality synthetic bristles that will stay together regardless of the amount of pressure you use or your canvas texture, so you can maintain control and precise color arrangement. Each brush ensures paint releases and glides off the synthetic hairs evenly, making them perfect for oil painting Plein Air, while the sleek black aesthetics ensure that the brushes look stylish on your workbench.
More features: reinforced with strong adhesive ferrules, water-resistant, carrying case with pop-up stand
The ARTIFY 15 Pieces Paintbrush Set is a great option for those on a budget. The set includes flat, round, liner, filbert, grainer, and fan brushes in sizes 1 – 15. While they may carry a budget price tag, the ARTIFY 15 piece paintbrush set has sturdy construction with high quality nylon bristles that are shed-resistant, water-resistant and durable. You don’t need to worry about losing hairs on your canvas, while the selection of sizes ensure that you have just the right brush for any painting project.
There is even a palette knife and sponges included in the set, so you have everything you need within easy reach thanks to the carry case with pop up stand, which is a nice feature, not typically offered with other brush sets.
You should know that the quality of your brushes has a direct impact on the final result of your paintings. A good brush will hold more paint, lay down color evenly, and maintain its shape after repeated use. But with so many different types and brands of paint brushes for oil-based paint on the market, it can be hard to know which ones to choose. Here are the characteristics of the most common kinds of paint brushes and how to choose the ideal brush for oil painting.
The type of brush you need will depend on the type of painting you’re doing. The most common ones are:
Round brushes are the most versatile type of brush, and they come in a wide range of sizes. They’re ideal for painting both thick and thin layers of paint, and they can be used for everything from broad strokes to fine details.
Flat brushes are less versatile than rounds, but they’re excellent for painting large areas of color or for creating straight lines and edges. They come in a variety of sizes, from small flats that are perfect for details to large flats that can cover a lot of ground quickly.
Brights are flat brushes with long, tapered bristles. They’re great for painting thin, even layers of color and for creating sharp lines and edges.
Filbert brushes are similar to rounds, but they have a longer, oval-shaped head. They’re ideal for soft, blended strokes and for creating curved lines.
Fan brushes have wide, flat heads with long, stiff bristles. They’re perfect for painting broad strokes or for applying a dry brush technique.
Angle brushes are flat brushes with angled heads. They’re perfect for painting tight corners or for creating clean, straight lines.
Egbert brushes are flat brushes with short, stiff bristles. They’re ideal for painting thick layers of paint or for applying a dry brush technique.
Mottler brushes are large, round brushes with long bristles. They’re perfect for painting broad strokes or for applying a wet-on-wet technique.
Now that you know the different types of oil paint brushes, it’s time to choose the best one for your needs. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
The size of the brush you need will depend on the type of painting you’re doing. For example, if you’re painting a large canvas, you’ll need a large brush. If you’re painting a small canvas or doing detailed work, you’ll need a smaller brush.
The number on the paint brush refers to the width of the brush in millimeters. For example, a size 10 brush is 10 millimeters wide.
The type of bristles on the brush will also affect the final result of your painting. Natural bristles are made from animal hair, and they’re the best type of bristle for oil painting. They’re strong and durable, and they hold more paint than synthetic bristles. However, they’re also more expensive.
Synthetic bristles are made from nylon or polyester, and they’re a good option for oil painting. They’re less expensive than natural bristles, and they’re less likely to shed. However, they don’t hold as much paint and they’re not as durable.
The length of the handle will also play a role in the type of brush you need. For example, if you’re painting a large canvas, you’ll need a longer-handled brush. If you’re painting a small canvas or doing detailed work, you’ll need a shorter-handled brush.
The material of the handle will also play a role in the type of brush you need. For example, if you’re painting with a thick paint, you’ll need a sturdier handle. If you’re painting with a thin paint, you’ll need a lighter-weight handle.
The material of the handle is also a matter of personal preference. Some artists prefer wooden handles because they’re sturdy and comfortable to hold. Others prefer plastic or metal handles because they’re lighter weight and easier to control.
Now you know that the type of paint you’re using will determine the type of brush you need. Oil paints require different brushes than acrylic or watercolor paints. Check out our guides on the best acrylic paint brushes and the best watercolor brushes to see the difference.
Oil paint brushes must be cleaned on a regular basis to maintain their shape and performance. Here are a few tips on how to clean them:
• Use a brush cleaner or mild soap and water.
• Never use hot water, as this can damage the bristles.
• Gently massage the bristles with your fingers to work out any dried paint.
• Use a comb or brush pick to remove any tangles from the bristles.
• Rinse the bristles thoroughly and allow them to air dry.
We have also compiled a guide on how to get acrylic paint out of brushes in case you are interested.
It’s a good idea to clean your brushes after each painting session. This will help to remove any dried paint from the bristles and prevent them from becoming damaged.
If you’re going to be taking a break from painting for a while, it’s also a good idea to clean your brushes before storing them. This will help to keep them in good condition until you’re ready to use them again.
When not in use, it’s important to store your oil paint brushes properly to prevent them from becoming damaged. Here are a few tips on how to store them:
• Store them in a cool, dry place.
• Avoid storing them in direct sunlight.
• Wrap the bristles in paper or plastic to protect them from dust and debris.
• Place them in a brush holder or stand to keep them upright and prevent them from becoming bent.
Some common problems with oil paint brushes include the following:
• The bristles become frayed or split.
• The bristles become matted down.
• The bristles fall out.
• The handle becomes loose.
If you’re experiencing any of these problems, it’s important to take care of them right away. Otherwise, they could cause serious damage to your brushes and affect their performance.
The Winsor & Newton Winton Hog Bristle Brush is an excellent starter set for beginners and hobbyists. The brush quality is optimal, the performance is long-lasting, and the set includes a variety of medium-sized brushes.
The Escoda 4700FB Clasico Series Brush Set comes with six different brush sizes and shapes. The brushes are made to last with their triple crimp ferrule and Chinese white hog bristle construction.
The D’Artisan Shoppe paint brush set includes 4 hog hair brushes and 11 synthetic brushes. The brushes are also easy to clean and maintain, with durable aluminum ferrules that prevent shedding.
So, whether you’re looking for a brush that’s soft and absorbent or one that’s stiff and less absorbent, there’s an option on this list of the best oil paint brushes that’s perfect for you. And, with a variety of handle materials and lengths to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect brush for your needs.
