How to Choose a Paint Brush Set

Posted by

Haanz Team

2026-10-19

On 2026-10-19

Haanz Art GuideFree, practical advice from the team at Haanz Art & Craft Materials

Buying a paint brush set is often easier than choosing brushes one by one, but sets are very different. Some are all rounds, some mix shapes, some are made for big canvases. This Haanz Art Guide explains what to look for so you pick a set that suits the way you paint.

What to check before you buy a set

Hair type. Synthetic brushes are springy, easy to clean and suit acrylic, watercolour and poster paint. Natural hair holds more paint and is often chosen for oil painting.
Shapes. Rounds are for lines and detail. Flats are for edges and filling areas. Filberts are flats with rounded corners for soft edges. Angular brushes cut neat corners and curves.
Sizes. A useful set has small, medium and large brushes. Too many tiny brushes and you will struggle to fill a background.
Handle length. Short handles suit desk work and paper. Long handles suit easel painting.

Our brush shapes and sizes guide explains each shape in more detail.

Brush sets we stock

Bomeijia Black Brush Set 6Pcs. Six brushes in a range of sizes, available in round, flat, filbert or angular. Pick the shape you use most and you get it in several sizes. It suits acrylic, watercolour and poster painting for students and hobby painters.

Flash Synthetic Hair Mix Brush 9pcs and Flash Synthetic Hair Mix Brush 10pcs. Mixed shapes and sizes in one pack, so you have a brush for detail, edges and fills. A good all-round choice for art classes and everyday acrylic, watercolour and poster work.

Flash Synthetic Hair Round Brush 7pcs. Seven round brushes from fine to medium with pointed tips, for lines, lettering and detail.

Flash Synthetic Hair Flat Brush 4pcs. Four flat brushes in different widths for backgrounds, block colour and clean edges. It pairs well with the round pack.

Wooden Large Brush Set 12Pcs Round. Twelve round brushes with wooden handles and natural hair, made for school art and oil or acrylic painting.

Mont Marte 7Pcs Large Brush Set in Wooden Box. Seven large brushes for bigger canvases, acrylic and oil painting. The wooden box protects the brushes and makes it a nice gift.

Browse all sets and single brushes in Paint Brushes. Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price.

Which set should you choose?

School art and poster paint: a Flash mix pack (9 or 10 pieces) covers most tasks.
Watercolour beginners: the Flash round pack, or the Bomeijia set in round. Add one flat for washes.
Acrylic on canvas: Bomeijia in flat or filbert, plus the Flash round pack for detail.
Oil painting or large canvases: the Wooden Large Brush Set or the Mont Marte large set.
A gift: the Mont Marte set in its wooden box.

If you paint in more than one medium, keep separate brushes for oil. Solvents and oil paint are hard to clean out completely.

How to make a brush set last

Never leave brushes standing on their tips in water. The hairs bend permanently.
Wash acrylic out straight after painting, before it dries.
Reshape the tip with your fingers and dry brushes flat or with the hairs pointing up.
Don’t use your detail brushes for rough jobs like scrubbing or glue. Keep an old brush for that.

Our brush cleaning and care guide has step-by-step instructions for each paint type.

Frequently asked questions

Are synthetic brushes good enough for beginners?

Yes. Modern synthetic brushes are springy, keep their shape and are easy to clean. Most students and hobby painters start with synthetic.

How many brushes do I really need?

Three or four well-chosen brushes are enough to start: a small round, a medium round, a medium flat and a large flat. A set gives you extra sizes to grow into.

Can I use the same brushes for watercolour and acrylic?

You can, but wash them very well after acrylic. Many painters keep a separate set for watercolour so the tips stay fine.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you pick a brush set for your paints.

More Haanz Art Guides