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Artist brush guide
Understand brush shapes, fibres and sizes so you can choose tools by the mark they make.
Start here
Understand brush shapes, fibres and sizes so you can choose tools by the mark they make. The aim is not to create one rigid rule, but to give you a dependable starting point you can test in your own practice.
The working principle: make the simplest useful decision first, then add complexity only when it improves the work or the business.
Practical checklist
- Flats create broad strokes and decisive edges.
- Filberts combine a flat body with a softer rounded edge.
- Rounds suit lines, drawing and controlled detail.
- Synthetic fibres are versatile and especially practical with acrylics.
What to do next
Try the advice on one real piece of work rather than redesigning your whole practice at once. Record what changed, what it cost and whether the result was genuinely better.