Artists have a wide range of paint brushes to choose from, each with their own unique characteristics and uses. Understanding the different types of brushes and their uses can help artists to create more dynamic and varied paintings. In this guide, we will cover the most common types of paint brushes and their uses.
Table of Contents
Round brush
Round artists brushes are versatile and can be used for a variety of techniques in painting. The shape of the brush, with a fine point and round belly, allows for precision and control when painting small areas or making fine lines. This makes them ideal for adding details to a painting, such as eyes, mouths, and other features. They can also be used to create smooth brushstrokes, which is useful for blending colors or creating a soft, graduated effect.
- Adding detail
- Fine lines
- Thin to thick strokes
- Small detailed work
- Lettering
- Highlighting
Round brushes are particularly useful for watercolor painting. The shape of the brush allows for easy control of the amount of paint on the brush, which is important when working with watercolors as they can be easily overworked. The fine point of the brush can also be used to create delicate lines and washes.
Round brushes can also be used for calligraphy and lettering. The fine point of the brush allows for precision when creating letterforms and the round belly of the brush can be used to create thicker strokes.
In general, round brushes are a must-have for any artist’s toolkit as they are versatile and can be used for a wide range of techniques and styles. It’s important to choose the right size and hair type to suit the type of painting you’re doing. The size of the brush will determine the width of your stroke, while the hair type will affect the stiffness and absorbency of the brush.
It’s also important to take care of your round brushes, cleaning them regularly and storing them properly to ensure that they last a long time.

Flat brush
Flat artists brushes are best for painting large areas of color, making broad strokes, and creating sharp, defined edges. They can be used to apply paint in a variety of ways, including horizontal and vertical strokes, diagonal strokes, and stippling. Flat brushes are also useful for creating textures, such as the texture of a leaf or a tree trunk. They are well suited for oil and acrylic painting and can be used for both Impasto and Glazing techniques.
- Broad, even strokes
- Blocking in large areas of color
- Creating large areas of color
- Making sharp edges
- Blending
Flat brushes are often used to create backgrounds and base layers, as well as for blocking in large areas of color. The flat shape of the brush allows for more paint to be loaded onto the brush, which makes it easier to cover large areas quickly.
Flat brushes can also be used for sharp, defined edges, such as the edges of a building or the edge of a tree. This is done by using the edge of the brush to create a clean, straight line. The flat shape of the brush can also be used to create a variety of textures, such as the rough texture of a tree trunk or the smooth texture of a leaf.
Every artist can benefit from having at least a few flat brushes. They are versatile and can be used for a wide range of techniques and styles. It’s important to choose the right size and hair type to suit the type of painting you’re doing. The size of the brush will determine the width of your stroke, while the hair type will affect the stiffness and absorbency of the brush.
As with any brushes it’s important to take care of them. Cleaning them regularly and storing them properly ensures that they last longer.

Filbert brush
Filbert artists brushes have a unique shape They have a rounded edge and a flat top, which makes them very versatile. They can be used for a variety of different painting techniques. They are best for creating soft, rounded edges and blending colors smoothly. However, they are also good for creating different brushstrokes, such as curved lines and sweeping strokes, quickly, in the same painting.
- Blending
- Creating soft edges
- Painting rounded shapes
Filbert brushes are often used for painting organic shapes, such as leaves, flowers, and tree branches. The rounded edge of the brush makes painting curves easier and allows for easy blending and softening the edges of colored areas. This is really useful for creating natural organic shapes. The flat top of the brush can also be used for making broad strokes and blocking in large areas of color.
Filbert brushes are also good for painting portraits and figures. The rounded edge of the brush can be used for blending skin tones and creating a natural-looking complexion. The flat top of the brush can be used for blending and smoothing out larger areas of the face.
In general, filbert brushes are a valuable addition to any artist’s toolkit. They offer a unique combination of the precision of a pointed brush and the coverage of a flat brush. They are very versatile and can be used for a wide range of techniques and styles.
Different hair types will suit different artists and styles so experiment until you find the right brush for your style. The size of the brush will determine the width of your brush strokes.
Remember, take care of your filbert brushes, cleaning them regularly and storing them properly makes them last longer and keep their shape.

Fan brush
Fan brushes
Fan artists brushes are also known as feather or rake brushes. They have a wide, fanned out shape and are great for creating textured backgrounds, blending colors, and creating soft, feathered edges. They are also well-suited for creating special effects such as sunsets, clouds, and ripples in water.
- Blending
- Creating texture
- Painting leaves and feathers

Fan brushes can be used to apply a variety of mediums, including paint, ink, and even powdered pigments. They can be used to create textured areas, such as the bark of a tree or the rough surface of a rock. They are also wonderful for gently blending colors and creating soft, feathered edges, when painting fur or hair.
The wide, flat shape of the brush allows for a lot of paint to be loaded onto the brush, which can be useful for creating a large area of color quickly. They are also good for creating the look of light and movement, such as the sun setting behind a mountain or the waves of the ocean.
Fan brushes are a valuable addition to an artist’s toolkit and they offer a unique way of applying paint and creating different effects. They are versatile and can be used for a wide range of techniques and styles but are particularly good at creating gradients and applying thin washes of color when glazing. #
different types of bristle will suit different paintings and cleaning them regularly and storing them properly ensures that they last as long as possible.

Angular brush
Angular brushes have a flat shape with a sharp angle, they are great for creating sharp lines and cutting in precise edges.
- Creating sharp lines and edges
- Painting geometric shapes
Angular brushes are often used to create sharp, defined edges, such as the edges of a building or the edge of a tree. The slanted edge of the brush allows for precision when creating these lines.
They are also useful for painting geometric shapes and architectural elements, such as the angles and lines of a building. They can be easier to control than flat and filbert brushes but will take practice to get the most from them.
It is always good to have some angular brushes for when you need to create sharp, defined lines.

Rigger brush
Rigger brushes have a long, thin tip and are good for painting consistent lines, such as those in calligraphy, and for painting hair and fur. They hold a lot of paint in the long bristles so painting long consistent lines becomes a lot easier.
- Painting fine lines
- Calligraphy
- Painting hair and fur

Palette knife
A palette knife is not a brush, but it is often used by artists to mix paint, apply paint to the canvas, and create textured effects. It is perfect for mixing paint, applying paint to the canvas, and creating textured effects. We talk about how to use a palette knife in a separate article.
- Mixing paint
- Applying paint to the canvas
- Creating textured effects

Mop Brush
A mop brush is a wide round flatter headed brush that usually has soft bristles. They are great for blending and shading but can also be used for stippling. These are brushes that some artists love and use a lot, but they aren’t a part of every artists toolkit. Try them to see if they suit your style.

Final Thoughts
It’s important to note that the quality of the brush also matters, and it’s recommendable to invest in high-quality brushes that are made of natural hair such as sable, hog bristle, or squirrel hair. Synthetic brushes can be a good alternative, but they don’t have the same capacity of holding and releasing paint. Different artists may prefer different types of brushes for different techniques and styles, it’s important to experiment with different types of brushes to find which ones work best for you.