Artists’ brushes come in various shapes, and to get the most out of them it’s important to know the differences. If you’re unclear about brush shapes, take a look at this short guide compiled by art supply maven Amy M Lavine of Sketch Art Supplies.
- Round brushes are pointed and have a circular base; useful for drawing dots, lines, and details
- Liners are similar to rounds but with longer bristles; used for linework and writing
- Flats have a flat base and bristles that are squared at the end; useful for covering large areas quickly and evenly
- Brights are similar to flats but with shorter bristles; used for thicker paints and impasto
- Filberts have a flat base but bristles that are rounded at the end; they combine qualities of both rounds and flats
- Angle brushes have a flat base and bristles cut at an angle; useful for versatile applications
- Fan brushes have a flat base and bristles that fan out; used for blending and making textures like grass and hair
- Wash and stroke brushes have a flat base and bristles that are soft and very absorbent; used to cover large areas with thin washes or to absorb excess paint
- Mops are similar to wash brushes but have a round base and bristles that do not form a point
- Stipplers and deer-foots have round bases and short, stubby bristles; used to mimic the appearance of ink stippling or for stenciling