Paint Brush Guide: Shapes, Sizes and Which Brushes to Buy First

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adminhaanz

2026-10-13

On 2026-10-12

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

A good brush makes painting easier, but with so many shapes and sizes it is hard to know where to start. This paint brush guide explains the main brush shapes, how brush sizes work, which hair suits acrylic, watercolour and oil, and the brush sets our customers buy most.

The main paint brush shapes

Round: a pointed tip that makes thin or thick lines depending on pressure. The most useful brush for detail, outlines and lettering.
Flat: a square end for broad strokes, filling large areas and sharp edges.
Filbert: flat with a rounded tip. It gives softer edges and is good for blending, petals and portraits.
Angular (angle): a slanted flat brush for curved strokes, corners and leaves.
Fan: spread bristles for textures such as grass, trees and soft blending.
Liner or rigger: a long, thin round for fine lines such as branches and signatures.

How brush sizes work

Brush sizes are numbers: the smaller the number, the smaller the brush. Very fine detail brushes are 0, 00 and 000, and larger brushes go up to 12, 20 and beyond. Sizes are not standard between brands, so a size 6 from one maker can be wider than another’s. Compare the brush head with the work you plan to do rather than relying on the number alone.

Which brush hair for which paint?

Synthetic (nylon or taklon): the best all-rounders for acrylic, watercolour and poster colour. They are tough, keep their shape and are easy to clean.
Hog bristle: stiff natural hair that moves thick oil paint and heavy-body acrylic.
Soft natural hair such as sable or squirrel holds a lot of water and keeps a fine point, which watercolour painters value.

Which brushes should a beginner buy?

For acrylic or watercolour, three brushes cover most beginner work: a small round (size 2–4) for detail, a medium flat (size 8–12) for areas, and a filbert for blending. A mixed set is the easiest way to get a range of shapes and sizes.

The brushes our customers buy most

Bomeijia Brush Set 6 pcs: our best-selling set, available as round, flat, filbert, angular or a mixed set. A great first set for students and beginners.
Bomeijia Brush Set 12 pcs: synthetic brushes in a wider range of sizes, available in round, flat, filbert or angular.
DOMS Studio Round (sizes 000 to 12) and Flash Synthetic Round (000 to 20): single round brushes, handy for replacing the sizes you use most.
Sakura Water Brush: a refillable brush with water in the handle, in small, medium and large tips. Ideal for travel watercolour and outdoor sketching.
Gesso Brush 4 pcs: wide flat brushes for priming, varnishing and large backgrounds.

Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price. See all brushes for watercolour and acrylic and brushes for oil colours.

How to clean and care for brushes

Acrylic and watercolour: rinse in water straight after painting, then wash gently with mild soap. Acrylic that dries in the bristles is very hard to remove.
Oil paint: wipe off excess paint, clean in a brush cleaner or solvent, then wash with soap and water.
Never leave brushes standing on their tips in water; it bends the hairs permanently.
Reshape the tip with your fingers and dry brushes flat or with the bristles facing up.
Keep older brushes for glue, gesso and varnish, and save your best ones for painting.

Painting on canvas? Read our canvas guide, and see our acrylic paint guide for paints to pair with your brushes.

Frequently asked questions

Which brushes do I need to start acrylic painting?

A small round for detail, a medium flat for areas and a filbert for blending will cover most beginner work.

Can I use the same brushes for acrylic and watercolour?

Synthetic brushes work for both, but many painters keep separate brushes because acrylic residue can spoil a watercolour brush’s soft point.

Why do my brushes lose their shape?

Usually from paint drying in the bristles or from leaving brushes standing in water. Clean them straight after use and dry them flat.

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 choose the right brushes.

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