When working with acrylics, it is very important to have the right tools; the most important one being the paint brush.
If you have worked with acrylic colors before, you would know that they function very differently from other mediums. So, it is important to select brushes that are made specifically for acrylic. With the right set of brushes, you can use acrylics on a range of materials.
However, choosing the right brush set is easier said than done. So, to help you, we have compiled a list of the top 7 options you can try. We have attached a buyer’s guide towards the end to help you make the best choice.
So, without any more delay, let’s get straight to the details of brushes for acrylic paintings!
Best Acrylic Paint Brushes To Try
Acrylic paintbrushes are a great option for painting with acrylic paint since they are specifically designed to help you achieve your desired look. But with so many options out there, it can be difficult to decide which brush is right for you. To make it easier, we’ve narrowed down the list to the six best acrylic paintbrushes. Here’s the list of the 6 best acrylic paintbrushes.
1. BOSOBO Paint Brushes – Best Overall
The BOSOBO-AC&S-18003 acrylic brushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are suitable for both beginners and professionals. This acrylic paint brush set will help you create the most gorgeous paintings. Be it painting or lettering, these brushes will help you do it all.
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Why Did We Like It?
When using acrylic paints, it is essential to paint in a way that the strokes are not smudgy. And this brush set will help you avoid that problem. This set of acrylic painting brushes is made of nylon hair, which has a great color-holding capacity. Once you pick the color on the brush, it won’t shed easily, thereby making sure that it does not become blotchy.
Moreover, you can rest assured that the brushes will last for a long time. On the brushes, you will find seamless nickel ferrules which will prevent them from spitting or rusting. And the ferrules are double-crimped to ensure that the bristles do not come off easily.
Additionally, you would be happy to know that this set of quality brushes is super easy to maintain. After you are done working with the colors, you just have to wash the brushes in soapy water. Even after cleaning, the brush shape will remain intact. Do not forget to air-dry the brushes before you store them.
What Could’ve Been Better?
We loved this set so much that we thought of gifting it to our friends as well. However, some of them had a complaint – the brush handles are way too long. This might be a problem for people with relatively small hands. So, we would recommend that you read the product description properly before making a purchase.
- Easy to maintain
- Does not lose shape
- High-quality product
- Lasts for a long time
- Handle might be too long for some
2. Soucolor Acrylic Paint Brushes Set – Best Durability
If you are a professional artist who requires all the right brushes, you should try the Soucolor Acrylic Paint Brushes Set. The quality of these acrylic paint brushes is pretty good, and they are so versatile that they can be used as oil brushes too.
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Why Did We Like It?
What makes these acrylic brushes stand apart from other competitors on the market is the versatility they offer. This set of professional brushes is suitable for beginners and professionals alike. And you can use it with a range of paints such as watercolor, acrylic, gouache, and so on. The brushes are pretty fine-tipped and can be used for face paintings too.
Moving on, we are confident that you will like the durability of the brushes too. They are armed with nickel ferrules, which won’t split or rust. So, you can rest assured that they will function well for a long time. The bristles are tightly bound and won’t come loose after you use the brushes a few times.
Moreover, we can guarantee that cleaning the brushes won’t be too challenging. You just need to soak the brushes in soapy water and give them a mild rub.
What Could’ve Been Better?
We have noticed that if you do not clean the brushes for too long after you are done painting, they stiffen up. You need to wash them immediately and let them air dry. We suggest that you store them in an upside-down or flat position after they dry.
- Easy maintenance
- Long-lasting
- Suitable for beginners and pros
- Strong metal ferrules
- Needs to be cleaned immediately after use
3. Aroic Paint Brush – Best Versatility
Up next, we have another multi-purpose brush for you, the Aroic Paint Brush-60p. On using the brushes, we were highly impressed by the high-quality craftsmanship and the ease of maintaining them. The price of this paint brush set is pretty reasonable and this can be a great bet for both amateur painters and professionals.
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Why Did We Like It?
It is the design of the brushes that caught our attention first. We scored this product high for the craftsmanship. All the brushes in the set come with anti-shedding bristles. So, with minimum maintenance, they will last for a long time. And the anti-rust nickel ferrules, along with the wooden handle, add to the durability of the brushes.
Additionally, you would be happy to know the brand places utmost importance on user satisfaction. When you purchase this set, you can enjoy a 6-month money-back guarantee and a 12-month replacement warranty. In case you are not happy with the results, you can call the customer support team and ask for a replacement.
Furthermore, this acrylic paint brush set is very easy to maintain. You just have to ensure that every acrylic brush is cleaned right after you are done with the painting. After you are done cleaning the brushes and they are air-dried, make sure that you put them in a carrying container.
What Could’ve Been Better?
Though we loved how well the brushes performed, we read quite a few reviews where people noted that the bristles were not as soft as they expected. If you experience something similar, it is best that you dip the brushes in a jar of water for some time. This will help the brush tips to soften.
- Exceptional design
- Lasts for a long time
- Money-back guarantee
- Easy to maintain
- Bristles might seem to be a bit stiff
4. Artstorys Paint Brushes
For our next entry, we have the Artstorys VING-20BRUSH, which is well-received by hobbyists and art enthusiasts alike. The set contains 20 pieces of brushes, and you can use them on a wide range of mediums such as canvas, face, rock, and so on. If you have an art enthusiast in the house, you can consider gifting this as a Christmas present.
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Why Did We Like It?
To begin with, there are 20 pcs of brushes present in the set, two packs with ten different sizes. So, whatever type of art you create, you’ll always have the right brushes required for the project. And, the brushes come with bristles of different shapes. Some are flat, some are rounded, and then there are a few fine-tipped ones too.
Moreover, this premium collection of brushes is made of smooth wood, and they all feature long handles. So, when you are painting, there’s no way the colors are going to get blotched. And, you would be happy to know that the handles are water-resistant. Even if you leave the brushes in water for too long, the handles are not going to get damaged easily.
Apart from that, like all premium brushes, these too have high-quality ferrules on them. The ferrules are nickel-coated, and you can rest assured that they will last for a long time with minimal maintenance.
What Could’ve Been Better?
The only problem with the brush set is that if you want to purchase a brush individually, that won’t be possible. If you are planning to replace some old brushes, you will have to purchase this entire set. And, that might turn out to be an expensive venture.
- Suitable for all skill levels
- Bristles stay well for long
- Offers a number of brush options
- Sleek design
- Brushes cannot be bought individually
5. Arteza Paint Brushes
We are almost reaching the end of our list, and next up, we have the Arteza ARTZ-3865 Paint Brushes. These brushes are fun to use and super easy to maintain. With the help of this product, you’ll be able to finish your upcoming art project with the utmost precision and flair.
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Why Did We Like It?
What makes this product stand out among its competitors is the high-quality bristles. They are tightly knit and will not spread or fall out. These brushes come with a strong brass ferrule that prevents any chances of the bristles coming out. The ferrule, along with the exceptional brush design, keeps the bristles in shape for the longest time.
Moreover, you can work on a range of projects with these brushes. They are suitable for model paintings, and you can also work with them on wood or ceramic. You would be happy to know that these brushes also work well with oil paints.
Additionally, the brand places utmost importance on customer satisfaction. This product is designed to satiate the needs of painters. And in case, you are not very satisfied with the results, you can get in touch with its customer support team and ask for support.
What Could’ve Been Better?
After using this product, we hardly have any complaints about it. However, we felt that the case is not suitable for storing the brushes. If you want the brushes to function well, you need to find a brush holder that can adequately store the brushes.
- Suitable for all projects
- Strong ferrules and handles
- Long-lasting
- Easy to maintain
- Quality of the container is not good
6. Mont Marte
There was no way we were going to wrap up this list without mentioning the Mont Marte 4336960778. The designs of the brushes present in the set are quite noteworthy, and you will be able to make a wide range of paintings with them.
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Why Did We Like It?
The best thing about this set is that you will find a range of different brush types in it. There are flat brushes, filbert brushes, and a mid-sized round brush too. As the brushes are of different shapes, you can use them for various purposes. They can be used for large washes as well as for filling in finer details.
Moreover, these brushes are quite sturdy and do not get damaged easily. There are black ferrules on each of them, and they all have gray wooden handles. And, high-quality synthetic fiber bristles won’t shed even when the brushes are submerged in water for a long time.
Also, all the paintbrushes are well-rounded, making them the best bet for people who are just starting out. You do not require a high level of expertise to handle these brushes.
What Could’ve Been Better?
While most of the brushes that we have covered in this list are multi-medium compatible, this product is only suitable for acrylics. If you were considering this set to get your hands on some all-purpose brushes, this might not be the best bet.
- Suitable for all skill levels
- Affordable price
- Long-lasting bristles
- Versatile set
- Only suitable for acrylics
Best Acrylic Paintbrushes Comparison Table
| Product | Brush Material | Handle Material | Number of Brushes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOSOBO Paint Brushes | Nylon Hair | Wood | 20 |
| Soucolor Acrylic Paint Brushes Set | Nylon Hair | Wood | 20 |
| Aroic Paint Brush | Nylon Hair | Wood | 60 |
| Artstorys Paint Brushes | Synthetic Hair | Wood | 20 |
| Arteza Paint Brushes | Synthetic Hair | Wood | 12 |
| Mont Marte | Taklon Hair | Wood | 6 |
Buying Guide For The Best Brushes for Acrylic Painting
When buying the best brushes to use with acrylic paint, there are quite a few things that you need to keep in mind. To make the best choice when choosing brush types, we suggest that you consider these factors.
1. Shapes Of Acrylic Brushes
As you must have already understood by now, acrylic brushes come in a number of shapes and sizes. Whether you are using natural hair brushes or ones that come with synthetic bristles, it is very crucial to ensure that they are of the right shape. Every shape is different, and they help you experiment with different types of stroke styles.
Before you choose a brush type, it is crucial to know the purpose of its use. Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of brush shapes that are available on the market:
A. Round Brushes
Round brushes are great when working on paintings that require small detailed strokes. These brushes can help you fill in small and difficult areas with ease. With them, you can create both thick and thin lines as per your requirement.
A word of advice, when using round brushes, it is best to use thinned paint. Thick paint makes it difficult for round brushes to glide smoothly. Apply minimal pressure for the lines to be thin, and for thicker lines, you need to press the brushes down.
B. Bright Brush
These brushes have a pretty unique shape; they are flat, and they curve inward at the tip. The bristles on these brushes are short and help artists add precision to their artworks. And because the bristles are short, you will have to work close to the canvas and cannot work on it from a distance.
To make the most of these brushes, you should use short and controlled brush strokes along with thick and heavy colors.
C. Flat Brushes
You might need to choose flat brushes for large paintings. Flat or square brushes mostly come with medium to long bristles. These brushes are suitable for filling wide spaces and making straight edges.
2. Choose The Right Size For Acrylic Brushes
When it comes to picking the right size for brushes, there’s a general rule to follow.
If you have to fill in finer details on the artwork, we suggest you go for brush sizes of 6 or below. You can choose between 6-14 for color blocks and underpainting. And, it is best to opt for brushes above 14 for the initial color wash.
That said, it is essential to remember that the choice of brush is highly dependent on what you are working on and your expertise. Also, it is crucial to note that brushes from different manufacturers might show a slight variation in size.
If you are working on professional projects, we suggest that you visit the manufacturer’s website for all the necessary details about the product. Before making a purchase, inquire about the quality of the bristles, their length, width, and diameter. Once you have the dimensions, check if they are of the same size as your existing brushes.
3. Material
Whether you are making an oil painting or an acrylic landscape, choosing the right material for your brushes is highly crucial. When buying brushes, you can either opt for natural or synthetic bristles. The one that you are going to buy is highly dependent on whether you need a soft or a stiff brush.
Acrylic paints behave quite differently than oil colors and expensive natural fibers might not be the best pick for acrylics. Brushes with natural bristles are made with animal hair, and they do not go well with acrylics. Primarily, there are two reasons for this.
Firstly, if there is dried acrylic paint stuck to your brush, it might cause the bristles to snap and break. And this is a point of no return; once the bristles get damaged, there is no way that you can fix it. Even high-quality brushes with natural hairs cannot withstand dried paint.
Secondly, you generally have to wash acrylic paint with water, and natural brushes are not well suited for that. Synthetic bristles, on the other hand, do not lose their tightness even when submerged in water for a long. For having more control while working with acrylics, we suggest that you prefer synthetic bristles over natural fibers.
To ensure that your artwork turns out exactly how you had imagined it requires expertise and the right art supplies. The best acrylic paint brushes are the ones that can handle the medium precisely.
4. Care And Maintenance
Getting the right brush is not enough to make the best artwork. For the brushes to function well, it is necessary to take proper care of them. Listed down below are some of the crucial ways in which you can ensure that the brushes are in the best shape.
To ensure that the brushes are not damaged, you should not let the paint dry on the brushes after you are done with the acrylic painting. In case you let the paint dry on the bristles, there’s a good chance that they will get damaged, especially if you are handling natural brushes.
How To Clean An Acrylic Paintbrush Properly?
If you have worked with acrylic before, you would know that the paint tends to dry very fast. And to combat this problem, you can use the double bath system. It may sound a bit complicated, but it is actually not. It is simply a process whereby you clean brushes in not one, but two jars of water.
Keep doing this between use, so that the paint does not dry up and stick to the bristle. The first jar will help you get all the pigments and acrylic polymer emulsions removed. You can then shift your brushes to the second jar for a more intense rinse.
Doing this has two benefits! When you immerse the brushes for the first time in the jar, the paint will come off and won’t stick to the bristles. As you dip the brushes for the second time in the water, the colors stuck to the ferrules and handle will also come out. This will prevent the colors from gunking up, which will help the Ferrules function properly for a long time.
Now that we have talked about what needs to be done while you are making artwork, let’s delve into the aftercare for the brushes. Once you are done making a painting with acrylic colors, it is essential that you clean the brushes with warm soapy water. Do not let the brush sit for too long, as that will allow the paint to dry up on the bristles. And if you let that happen, the bristles on your brush may snap and break.
Follow the above process to properly clean acrylic paint brushes without letting any residue ruin it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to store acrylic paint brush properly?
When you invest in buying the best acrylic paint brushes, it is crucial that you store them properly. This is especially true for fine point brushes as their tips might get damaged if not stored well. After you are done painting with the brushes, dip them in soapy water and wipe them clean.
Once dried, get a brush holder and store the brushes upside down (tip facing up). You can also consider using a stand or a glass jar for the purpose. This will prevent you from encountering bent bristles when working on your next art project.
How to remove dried acrylic from a synthetic paintbrush?
Removing acrylic colors once they have dried up can be pretty challenging. However, there is a range of techniques that you can implement to remove paint from brushes. The most common method that artists use is to dip the brushes in Isopropyl alcohol and once the bristles are soaked; they scrape the color off.
However, this method might not be helpful if you try to remove dried acrylic from animal hair fibers. Natural bristles might not be able to withstand powerful chemicals.
What brushes are suitable for creating fine details with acrylic colors?
If you are trying to introduce intricate details to acrylic paintings, we suggest you make use of liner brushes. These brushes come with long and thin bristles that enable you to have better control. So, you could add more details to the paintings by creating lines and highlighting them.
How to use acrylic paint brushes properly?
Like all other products, acrylic brushes also need to be maintained and taken care of. For the best results, never let the paint dry off on the brushes. Dried paint can cause irreversible damage to natural bristles. Even if you are using synthetic brushes, we suggest taking the paint off as soon as you are done with the acrylic painting.
To ensure that an acrylic paint brush stays in the best condition, make sure that you do not keep it dipped in water for too long. When cleaning the brushes, it is best not to use regular soap but use artist’s soap. Once cleaned, lay the brushes down on a flat surface and fix the tips so that they dry properly. Natural bristles, when kept wet for too long, can get damaged easily.
Also, for the best results, we would suggest that you stay away from cheap variants as they tend to shed bristles when you paint. If the ferrules are not sturdy enough, that can happen. So, before you make a purchase, research properly and see if the brushes are of good quality.
Conclusion
With that, it’s a wrap for today!
We hope that you had a good time going through this guide, and now know how to choose the best acrylic brushes. There is no way to tell which one is the best, as choices are very subjective. Your preferences may vary depending on the project and the kind of experience you have.
However, if you are still on the fence about which option to go for, we are here to help. The BOSOBO remains our all-time favorite for its exceptional performance. And if you are on the lookout for brushes that are long-lasting, the Soucolor Acrylic Paint Brushes Set is the safest choice.
Until next time, happy painting!
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