While you may be tempted to buy the cheapest set, especially if you’re only starting, investing in high-quality options can help you improve your art faster. If you choose high-quality brushes, you’ll use them for years, as they’re made from durable materials that last longer and maintain their shape and performance over time. That means you won’t need to replace them frequently, leading to a more consistent painting experience.

How Do I Choose a Paintbrush for Art?

Considering different factors, such as shape, size, hair type and the medium you’ll be using them for, can help you choose the correct art paintbrushes for your creative process.

Medium

When purchasing a brush, the first thing to consider is the medium it will be used with. Options with bristles are typically used for oil painting, synthetic options for acrylics, and soft natural hair options for watercolours. However, advancements in manufacturing techniques have caused these distinctions to become less clear, as higher-quality synthetic products can now replicate the characteristics of their natural-haired counterparts.

Watercolour

A delicate brush, with either synthetic or natural hair, is frequently the best to use to apply gentle colour washes on the surface of watercolour paper. In addition to being available in a broad range of sizes, styles, and pricing points, watercolour brushes are typically short-handled. They have a large capacity for holding water, providing you with the most control possible.

Acrylic

This water-based medium has a lot of versatility. You can use both watercolour and oil paintbrushes, depending on your skill. They come with either a small handle or a long handle. Acrylic dries quickly to an extremely durable finish, therefore you must clean your brushes right away. Additionally, acrylics are typically painted on rougher surfaces like canvas, which calls for a more resilient brush.

Oil

Typically, when applying oils, one should utilise stiff hog bristles because of their ability to withstand the thickness of oil paint and the ability to hold onto paint particles called “flags,” which enhances the brush’s paint load, and its durability, which can withstand frequent use on rough surfaces. You can also use softer natural or synthetic bristles for delicate detail and gentle mixing. Long handles are common on oil brushes so you can use them at easels.

Water-Mixable Oil

Hog bristles work well with water-mixable oils, but consider whether you’ll paint with water or water-mixable solvents. Water may cause the bristles to become soggy and may cause long-term damage, so it might not be the ideal choice for you. Synthetic hog brushes are made to function similarly to conventional hog bristles while still being water-resistant.

Varnishing

A broad, flat brush works well when applying a painting’s final varnish coat. Softer-haired bristles are necessary for a smooth application because stiffer bristles can leave marks in the varnish. You will use fewer brushstrokes throughout the painted area when the brush is larger. After using, clean it immediately and reserve it for varnish application only.

Shape

Choose a brush shape that complements your artwork from the various sizes and shapes available, ranging from the standard round to the quirky rake.

If you’re merely searching for reliable, daily brushes, the most popular forms for an artist paintbrush are round and flat. Both are adaptable and capable of giving you a range of grades. That’s the place to start if you’re just starting in the art world. Many artists don’t bother to opt for more shapes because these brushes can create many different shapes with only slight adjustments to pressure or brush location.

Size

A larger brush often provides greater control and even coverage than a smaller one. While smaller art paintbrushes are ideal for delicate details, a large option can apply colour quickly and evenly, reducing the need for multiple strokes. Large options can also achieve fine details with light pressure and their fine points.

Round brushes are numbered, ranging from 10/0 (micro detail) to size 40 (very large). The size increases with the number. Flat brushes are measured by width, such as ½ inch or 1 inch. However, there is no universal standard for brush sizes, so a size 10 round brush may vary between manufacturers. A size 10 is a versatile choice, but having a range of sizes offers more flexibility.

Another factor is the handle length. Watercolour brushes typically have short handles, while oil and acrylic ones tend to have long handles. Historically, long-handled brushes allowed artists to stand back from their canvas on a vertical easel, avoiding contact with the wet surface. Choose the handle length that suits your style—short handles offer great control and detail. Consider your art style and select the brush that best enhances your work.

Hair Type

Natural bristle brushes, typically made from hog’s hair, are favoured for oil painting due to their excellent paint pickup and application. The production process involves boiling, bleaching, and trimming the bristles.

Kolinsky sable brushes made from the hair of a little carnivorous animal are well-liked for watercolour and oil painting. Known for their soft, subtle strokes, they’re ideal for thin, translucent layers and detailed work. These durable brushes are well-suited for portrait painting and the ‘drybrush’ technique.

Synthetic bristle options have gained popularity, especially among beginners, due to their quality and versatility. Available in various bristle thicknesses, they can mimic natural bristles for different painting techniques. Synthetic bristles are durable, easy to maintain, and suitable for all canvas types. However, some may lose their shape over time.

Squirrel hair brushes are rarely used in oil painting but are excellent for watercolour. They provide a light tint but are less durable with oil paints.

Decorating your home isn’t just filling empty walls, you’re infusing your living space with personality and character. It has the power to evoke emotions and sometimes even curiosity. It transforms your abode into more than just a place to live, but also a space where you want to be.

Types of Art

What are some examples of artwork? Before we delve into all the ways you can decorate your home, let’s first see the types of art that you can use.

Paintings

They are perhaps the most traditional form of art. They encompass a wide variety of styles, from classical works using techniques like oil on canvas to impressionist paintings and abstract paintings that explore shapes and forms without representing objects. So, there is a style of painting for everyone, regardless of your taste.

Illustrations

Known for their emphasis on storytelling and visual communication, illustrations can be a great addition to your space. They can be used to create personalised art for your home and you can commission an illustrator or pick an already existing work that matches your style and personality.

Photography

Another great way to decorate your home is by using photography.
Whether you’d like a landscape or a nice photograph of you or your family, there are so many types of photography you can choose from to make your place feel like home.

Prints

A form of art that has slowly made its way into homes lately is the print. It offers you an economical and adaptable means of incorporating artistic flair into your home. Prints come in various sizes and designs. If you want something minimalist and if you want some colour pick something with landscape-like artworks Australia has inspired, depicting nature with the beautiful flora and fauna.

Sculptures

By bringing three dimensions into your décor, sculptures make your space look bigger and better. Depending on your furniture and your style, there are various types of sculptures made from wood, metal, clay or stone and you can either combine or use as standalone pieces.

Choose Art for Each Space

Now that we’ve seen some of the art you can choose to display in your home, let’s see what works where.

Your bedroom is your sanctuary, a place where you should feel most comfortable and at ease, so pick pieces that reflect your taste and transmit calming vibes. Pieces that have claiming colours and depict a landscape or are inspired by nature, such as artworks Australia based artists have produced.

The living room is the place where most gatherings happen, so consider placing a large painting on the wall scattering around some tiny prints or even family photos and putting a sculpture on your coffee table. That way you’ll make your room seem more lively.

If you like spending time in your kitchen, consider putting an art work that you like looking at while you’re baking cookies or drinking your morning coffee. But make sure to put pieces that can get dirty easily from all the cooking area to protect them from splashes.

Another place in the house that is often forgotten is the bathroom. It’s the right place for you to experiment with art and maybe put some quirky pieces that you wouldn’t put in your living room. Or perhaps, if you like taking long bubble baths, consider placing something that will bring some calmness into the space.

Create a Theme

One of the keys to successful home décor is creating a cohesive theme that ties your space together. Start by selecting a colour palette with vibes you want to transmit. So, if you want your rooms to feel cosy, pick earthy and warm colours like red and brown, but if you want to convey calm and serenity pick something like green or blue.

Make sure that the piece you’ve chosen aligns with the overall décor you’ve chosen for your room. If your home is more modern, pick something minimalist. If it’s more traditional then pick a classical piece that would fit. But, if you want to take a little risk, don’t be afraid to mix it up. A well-placed eclectic piece of art can add character and intrigue to a room.

Discover Your Artistic Side

Decorating your home should make you happy and it shouldn’t be expensive. Sometimes some art pieces can cost a lot of money, but that shouldn’t discourage you. There are many ways in which you can express your creative side to decorate your home.

Consider making your own piece of art. Whether it’s a painting, drawing or maybe you’ve taken a pottery class, don’t be afraid to show it. It will make your home more authentic and it will add a very personal touch. You’ve also at some point taken a picture on your phone that you feel very proud of. Print it and hang it. It will make you feel good knowing that it’s your piece of art that you have created.

If you’ve living in your home for a longer period, rotate your art. There isn’t a rule that says once you’ve placed it somewhere, you can’t change it. Rotating your piece will give your home a breath of fresh air without spending money.

Think Outside the Box

At the end of the day, decorating your home is a deeply personal and creative process that allows you to infuse your living space with your unique style and personality. It doesn’t matter if you live in a big house or a small apartment, decorations and artwork will bring your space to life and will make you more comfortable. Don’t be afraid to experiment with styles and pieces that will make your home feel more like you.