Wash
brushes come in varied shapes. The oval wash has rounded hairs, flat
ferrules, and produces a soft edge, with no point. The oval wash brush
look like flattened, one stroke brushes, except that the end of the hair
is rounded instead of flat. Each oval wash brush is suited for both fine
art and decorative painting in oils, acrylics, watercolor, inks and
gouache. A oval wash brush is useful for laying in large areas of water
or color, for wetting the surface and for absorbing excess media. The
Oval Wash is good for broad, controlled washes, base coating and final
finishes with a softer edge.
The oval wash brushes are designed for artists working in all mediums
who love the painting, color holding, spring and smooth application of
brushes. This shape is very popular with both watercolor and oil
painters. The oval-wash can be used freely to make bold sweeping strokes
without having to keep it in a vertical position. The fiber used in
manufacturing oval wash brushes ranges from squirrel, ox, bristle to
synthetic. Pointed flat oval wash brushes are better than non-pointed
because they come to a fine point when wet and one can paint with the
point, with the side edge, or with the flat side of the brush.
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.
