UNDERSTANDING THE SHAPE OF BRISTLES

Paint brushes come in various shapes that give you different marks. All brush shapes can be utilized with any medium, it is the hair type that ought to be viewed while picking a brush for a particular medium.

Flat

The Flat brush is long and rectangular shaped. They are characterized by a flat toe and can produce flat and chisel strokes. In addition, they can be used to build specified edges and guided lines. Often used for wide bold strokes, washes, filling wide spaces, and impasto. Edge can be used for fine straight edge lines and stripes. Large long-haired flat brushes can be used for varnishing.

Bright

Similar to flat brushes, bright bristle brushes feature a fat toe too. The difference is in the length of the bristles. They are shorter and are square shaped rather than rectangular. Sometimes referred to as a shader brush. Used for short controlled strokes with thick, heavy colour. Better for up close work.

Round

The most adaptable brush type is the round brush. Highlighting a round "toe", a round brush can create point by point, controlled imprints just as thicker ones. Used for sketching, outlining, detailed work, controlled washes, filling in small areas or edges. Creates thin to thick lines - thin at the tip, becoming wider when more pressure is applied on the brush. Best for thinned paint applications. Rounded points are great for fine details and lines, delicate areas, spotting and retouching. The shorter hair round brush length, shorter handle are used for details and short strokes.

Angled

As the name suggests, these kinds of brushes have an angled toe which can be utilized to produce flat or varied markings. A few artists use this brush to make flat lines. Tole painters use them for blending, shading, and double or triple loads. Used for curved strokes and filling corners. Tips can be used in small areas, and broad length to cover lots of space, similar to flat brushes.

Script/Rigger/Liner

A brush with numerous names has a very distinguishing effect on paintings. This kind of brush is long and thin used to mark controlled lines. Despite its slender shape, it can hold a considerable amount of paint. Rigger brush originally created as a specialty brush to paint the rigging lines on sailing vessels and ships, and evolved into a multipurpose brush, especially for landscape painting grasses, branches, fur, stems and leaf lines, etc.

Filbert

Filbert brushes have a curved toe, medium to long filament. Commonly used by acrylic and oil painters because it can handle large quantities of paint and can create a variety of marks on the painting surface. Commonly used as a blender brush, and to soften rounded edges like flower petals and portrait painting. Read More: https://www.kingsframingandartgallery.com/blog/post/understanding-the-shape-of-bristles