Each
of styles of painting is dependent on different charecteristics of
mediums; primarily on thickness or viscosity, and speed or drying. Thus,
brushes also need to be created according to the medium used by the
artist to paint. There are unique brushes for acrylics, oil paints,
alkyds, watercolor paint brushes, coming in all shapes from bright to
square wash.
Oil brushes have been a favourite of painters since their introduction
during the Renaissance. Watercolor brushes can be a tricky medium to
master and pastels are a unique painting medium in that they cannot be
mixed on a palette like paints, but are mixed on the paper by overlaying
or blending. Other painting mediums, including encaustic painting, glass
painting, egg tempera, computer art, airbrushing, gourd art, mixed
media, and printing. A growing collection of free stencils such as
flowers, animals, and trees, plus features on how to stencil and stencil
effects.
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Acrylic Brushes
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Oil Brushes
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Painting Brushes
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Watercolor Brushes
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Lettering Brushes
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Sumi Brushes
Brushes
used for acrylics have long handles that allow the artist to work at a
distance from the canvas. Acrylic paints are more caustic than oils, so
acrylic brushes are designed with synthetics and bristle. Acrylic
brushes are usable in other mediums, particularly oils, while brushes
designed specifically for oil painting and watercolors are unsuitable
for acrylics. Artists can very effectively use glazing and layering
techniques when using acrylic brushes.
Both natural and synthetic bristles can be used with acrylics,
depending on the artist's preference. But, acrylics, being alkaline in
nature, can be hard on natural hair brushes. Those made with high
quality synthetics have excellent durability and offers excellent
stiffness, snap and hair shape retention for maximum control. The
brushes must be kept clean. If acrylic paint dries in a brush it is very
hard to get out without using strong solvents that might damage the
brush. Brushes are cleaned promptly by washing them with warm water and
mild soap when finished painting.
