The 15 Best Acrylic Paint Brushes For 2023 – Reviews By An Artist

Tony Mahone always wanted to be a professional swimmer, but something happened on the 13th of October 2011 that would totally change his life. He was involved in a grisly car accident that left his left lower limb paralyzed.

You see, he was driving on the freeway when a pickup truck rammed his car and sent it rolling on the road. The doctors said that his left sciatic nerve was damaged and he’d never be able to walk on that foot again.

Devasted, Tony began painting at least to pass the time. Seven years down the line, Tony has rediscovered himself in a way he describes as “magical”. He now paints and sells his artwork online and at his little shop in Nashville.

Now, we spoke to Tony on what it takes to be a good painter, and while we’d like to share with you all the tips and hacks, we only have so much time. So, today, we’re going to share with your Tony’s selection of the best acrylic paint brushes.

Things to Consider Before Buying Good Quality Acrylic Paint Brushes

When selecting a suitable paintbrush, you’ll be confronted with a variety of features such as size, bristle type, the shape of the head, and so on.

Size

  • When it comes to the size, you need to consider the length and thickness of both the stick and the bristles. Sizes are usually expressed in numbers, and the most common ones are 0, 00, 000, 1, 2, 3, 4, all the way to around 20.
  • Less than 6 is considered small, and the brushes falling in this category are used mainly for detailed work. Between 6 and 14 is known as mid-range, and the brushes in this group are suitable for color blocks and underpainting. Anything greater than 14 is large size, and it’s great for making the initial wash.
  • Some brush sets come with just one size while others are diversified to include many sizes.

Shape

  • When talking about shape, we’re referring to the shape of the head (the part with the bristles). The main sizes are round, filbert, flat, and fan. See the section “Different types of paint brushes for acrylic” below for details on what each type is suited for.
  • Once again, some sets have just a single shape while others have assorted shapes.

Durability

  • The durability is determined by the materials used to make the hairs, the ferrule, and the stick. Synthetic hairs are great for durability, but then the natural hairs are softer.
  • Ferrules made of metals like aluminum or nickel offer good protection, preventing the bristles from falling apart.
  • The sticks are mostly wooden, but some form of coating helps preserve the wood.
  • The durability is determined by the materials used to make the hairs, the ferrule, and the stick. Synthetic hairs are great for durability, but then the natural hairs are softer.
  • Ferrules made of metals like aluminum or nickel offer good protection, preventing the bristles from falling apart.
  • The sticks are mostly wooden, but some form of coating helps preserve the wood.

Without further ado, it’s time to dive into the reviews. Let’s see what we got here.

Our Top Pick of Best Acrylic Paint Brushes For 2023

1. MyArtscape Detail Paint Brush Set For Acrylic

Editor's Choice

The bristles used here are all synthetic fibers, but that’s actually a good thing. You see, natural fibers often frizz and split with use, but high-quality fibers like these don’t face any such problems.

Unlike the poor-quality brushes flooing the markets, the MyArtscape Detail brushes are able to maintain their shape. The tips remain strong, offering you that subtle painting precision all the way.

If you want to be able to create, thin, fine or broad lines, this set will not disappoint you. With all those different angles and sizes, you could do anything, including Gouache, oil, art, acrylic, and watercolor painting.

We talked to a friend who uses the set to do nails for clients, and she said that the clients are always happy.

Why? 

Because she’s able to pull of some really beautiful patterns with the brushes. 

Another user employs these to do face painting, and she said MyArtscape was her favorite set.

Inside the package, you will find 12 brushes. 5 of them are liners, another 5 are rounds, and 2 are flats.

The handles are also durable and comfortable, and if you love a sense of class, they offer that too. Their silver and white colors are so stylish.

These are the perfect pintstripe brushes for miniature painting.

Highlighted Features:

  • 15 different sizes and shapes
  • Fine tips for precision painting
  • Anti-shedding hairs
  • Perfect for pintbrushing
  • Lasts longer

2. D’Artisan Shoppe Paint Brushes for Acrylic

For those of you who love brushes with a long handle, the D'Artisan Shoppe Paint Brushes for Acrylic could be just what you need.

The handles on these are wooden and very light, making it possible to paint the hassle-free way without feeling exhausted.

Another versatile nature of these brushes is the fact the hairs are super secure. No more loose hairs on your painting and no more deterioration of the paint brushes because of loose hairs. So, your work stays neat, and your brushes remain intact.

The hairs are soft, and the stiffness is just at the right level, making it extremely easy to achieve evenness on the painting without those maddening streaks.

Due to their versatility, the paint brushes can be used on a myriad of projects. They can be used for applying not just acrylics but also oil and even water.

There’s a total of 15 brushes in the set – 11 of them are made of synthetic bristles while the remaining 4 are made of natural hog hairs.

The brushes feature a wide array of styles as follows:  4 filbert, 1 fan, 3 round, 1 angle, 1 wide, 1 rigger, and 4 flat brushes.

As you can see, the brushes have a good diversity to give you the power to partake any acrylic, oil, or watercolor painting project you have in mind.

If you’re a travelling painter, then you’ll find the carry case most useful. It’s designed for convenient packing and the small weight of the whole package makes things even better.

Highlighted Features:

  • Long-lasting
  • 15 brushes
  • Different styles
  • Long handles
  • Elegant carry case

3. Benicci Artist Acrylics Paint Brush Set

One of the biggest problems artists face with paint brushes is that of the bristles falling out and sometimes sticking on the work rather than staying on the brush. If you’ve used brushes that gave you such issues, it’s time to switch to the top-notch quality Benicci Artist Paint Brush Set.

The professional acrylic paint brushes in this set are fitted with super strong ferrules, and the bristles are double-clamped to prevent falling out.

When it comes to the value for the money, Benicci’s deal is one of the best you’ll get today. For just about 20 bucks, you get 15 nylon brushes of varying sizes and shapes. There’s even an art sponge and a mixing knife.

The sizes included are ½, ¾, 2, 4, and 8, whereas the shapes include round, glaze, angular, flat, fan, comb, and filbert.

The assortment of brushes in the set makes it possible for you to cover different projects including watercoloring, body painting, and oil and acrylics painting.

Comfort is something we all want when it comes to painting, right?

You don’t want to use paint brushes that are difficult to hold or that leave your fingers sore. Well, you’ll be glad to know these brushes come with ergonomically-designed wooden handles to support speed and comfort. The organizer pack makes storage so effortless. 

For some of us, a money-guarantee is an attractive additive, reassuring us that the deal is worth our money. After all, if we aren’t satisfied with the product, we can just return it and get another or get our cash back.

Now, this product gives you a 3-month money-back guarantee, and as if that’s not enough, there’s a 1-year replacement warranty.

Highlighted Features:

  • 15 different sizes and shapes
  •  Comfort handles
  • Elegant design
  • Strong ferrules
  • r Double-clamped bristles that don’t fall out

4. Heartybay 20 pcs Nylon Hair Brushes for Acrylic Paint

If you’re looking for a decent but affordable set of brushes, the Heartybay Paint Brush Set fit you perfectly. The 2-pack comes with ten different sizes, so you get 20 brushes in total. And of course, you can get a 1-pack, 3-pack, 5-pack, and so on.

The myriad of shapes in the set makes it very easy for you to mix the colors. These varying sizes and shapes make the brushes multipurpose, able to do watercolor, nail, face, ceramic gouache, and craft art painting. You can even do a manicure with these.

Beauty is yet another aspect we have to talk about. Everything from the brushes to the packaging is beautifully designed.

Both the sticks and the ferrules are coated with amazing colors such as blue and gold or silver, making the brushes quite picturesque.

Thus, if you’re looking to send someone a gift, don’t look any further; the Heartybay Paint Brush Set is one of the most splendid gifts anyone can receive, especially someone that’s into art.

High-grade craftsmanship is the secret behind the success of this brand. Its paint brushes are robust, anti-shedding bristles. No more worry about streaks or your work getting ruined by hairs falling out.

Rusting ferrules not only lead the bristles to fall apart but also cause the deterioration of the brush’s aesthetic value. Fortunately, the ferrules used here are made from nickel, which prevents rusting. So, your bristles stay intact, and the brush keeps its good looks.

How would you love brushes that are super easy to clean? The smooth body makes cleaning with soapy water a cinch.

Highlighted Features:

  • 10 different sizes
  • Nice looks
  • Bristles don’t shed
  • Anti-rust nickel ferrules
  • Easy to clean
  • Affordable

5. Mont Marte Art Paint Brushes Set

How you store your paint brushes matters a lot in that it plays a role in determining how long the brushes are going to last. With the Mont Marte Art Paint Brushes Set, storage is not an issue. You get a perfect carry case as well as brush holders that keep the bristles well protected, so they don’t bend.

Movement is a breeze with the gorgeous zippered carry case. You can just grab the bag anytime and take it with you wherever you go. The beautiful bag also makes it easy and convenient to give out the set as a gift.

Total versatility is one of the benefits you get to enjoy when you get this set. There are 15 brushes in there, and they come with particular shapes/sizes to suit a range of purposes.

Some of the included styles are filbert, angle, round, flat, and liner. This assortment helps artists use the brushes for gouache, acrylics, watercolor, and other forms of painting and they work flawlessly.

With the long handles used here, ease of use never got better. You can comfortably hold the sticks and run your paint just the way you like.

As these sticks are wooden, you don’t have to worry about them getting bent with time. They’re also coated to prevent breaking.

The bristles are made from taklon hair.

This is a high-quality synthetic fiber material that is smooth and thick, and hence able to withstand pressure. The aluminum ferrule holds the hairs tightly in place, preventing them from coming off when the brush is in use.

Highlighted Features:

  • Sturdy wooden sticks
  • Long shafts
  • Taklon hairs that don’t break
  • Suitable for many uses
  • 15 varying sizes

6. Artilicious Pocket Acrylic and Oil Painting Brush Set

Are you a serious student looking for the best acrylic paint brushes for beginners? You’ll want to hear about the Artilicious Paint Brush Value Pack.

This one comes with 25 brushes that cover all the styles and sizes a watercolor, gouache, acrylic, or oil painter would need. All the styles, including flat, filbert, angle, round, and more, are found in there, so you can be sure the set will be a reliable arts partner.

If you’re skilled, you could even use the sharp point brushes for writing and drawing fine lines.

Nylon, sponge, and camel hair are the materials used to make the bristles. The benefit here is that both of these materials are tough and long lasting and apart from that, they’re affordable.

Thus, the set allows you to have a high-grade collection of paint brushes without paying a fortune for it.

The handles are made of wood, hence making them super light. They’re then colored beautifully to give the sense of elegance we all look for. The coating on them protects them from moisture degradation and keeps the shafts well protected against breaking.

Being long, the handles make painting exceedingly easy.

An advantage we’re sure you’ll love is that the brushes work well with a variety of media, including water and oil.

We don’t recommend this set for professionals, but for students and arts beginners, it’s definitely a great tool.

Highlighted Features:

  • Nylon, sponge, and camel hair bristles
  • Works with different media
  • Safe for kids
  • 25 brushes
  • A wide assortment of styles

7. MyArtscape Pocket Paint Brush Set

For the on-the-go painter, there’s virtually nothing out there as good as the MyArtscape Pocket Paint Brush Set. This set lets you take your painting tools with you almost everywhere you go.

Being 5-inch long, the brushes are conveniently compact. They’re stored in an ergonomically designed bag that is compartmentalized on the inside.

Each of the brushes is held by a strap to protect it from damage through bombardment with the other brushes.

If there’s something we loved a lot about this set, it is the black PVC fabric holder. This case is gorgeous, and it’s something anyone would be proud to pull out in front of a crowd.

There’s something else about the holder that you all will love – the fact that you can transform it into brush stand.

This feature makes it easy to access the paintbrushes, making the whole painting exercise a piece of cake.

The brushes are 7 in number, and each of them has a distinctive shape and size to fit different applications. You might see the set as having too few brushes, but actually, the diversity of the brushes helps tackle a broad array of projects, such as face, watercolor, and acrylic painting.

 Many of the people using this paintbrush set appear to be very satisfied, and you can conform that by looking at the numerous nice reviews on the internet. The one-year replacement warranty should offer you more peace of mind while making the purchase.

Highlighted Features:

  • Compact design for easy transportation
  • 7 brushes with different sizes and shapes
  • Nice and sturdy holder
  • Anti-peel handle
  • Anti-shed bristles

8. eBoot Paint Brushes Artist Set

For the professional who wants to portray a touch of class at the office, the eBoot Paint Brushes Set would be an excellent choice.

The brushes, which look like classy pens, feature an innovative design with a black shaft and a silver ferrule, thus depicting superior elegance.

There are only five brushes in the set, and the styles are very similar; it’s only the sizes that differ a bit. The sizes included are 0, 2, 3/0, 5/0, and 10/0.

Because there aren’t other styles apart from the sharp-pointed variety, we’re going to recommend the set only for fine-line drawing or writing. If you’re a face painter, a nail artist, or a calligrapher, you will certainly be glad that you bought this set.

We know there are sets that come with so many brushes, some of which are sharp-pointed, but if you’re looking for superiority with your art, then you need this set.

The shedding and falling off of bristles are issues that we all in the arts field have faced at one point or the other. If you’re tired of these problems, the eBoot Paint Brushes Artist Set will come in handy. The tips of the brushes are robust enough to withstand pressure, and thus they don’t easily split or bend.

And at the same time, they’re soft and flexible enough to allow you to paint thin lines seamlessly.

Moreover, the protective tubes help keep the brushes in shape while in storage.

Highlighted Features:

  • Oblique gripping surfaces for ease of use
  • Protective tubes
  • Smart design
  • Non-shed bristles
  • Versatile application

9. Artify Acrylics Brush Set

For all the extras it offers, the Artify Paint Brush Set is, undoubtedly, the real deal. Firstly, you get the 12 paintbrushes which incorporate a range of styles including flat, fan, round, dagger, angular, and more, meaning you’re able to handle many different projects.

The varying shapes of the brushes make it possible to bring to life different applications, from the tiniest details to the broadest strokes and applications.

Secondly, the set gives you a free big brush. This comes as an extra, helping you apply paint to large areas a little faster. It’s also useful for polishing applications and removing dust swiftly.

Apart from the big brush, you also get a palette a painting knife and a sponge as extra items.

The sponge is also useful for polishing and wiping off dust or paint while the palette comes in helpful for mixing the colors or holding the paints.

Manufactured from soft, synthetic nylon, the bristles hold up pretty good. They’re soft for smooth applications but at the same time stiff enough to stay intact and resist the shedding pressure.

If you want to work with paintbrushes whose bristles will stay in shape for years, then getting this set would be a great step.

The carry case that comes with this product isn’t just a handy storage and transportation solution. It’s very useful for the main work, playing the role of a pop-up stand. In that regard, it helps you swap the brushes out with incredible ease.

Highlighted Features:

  • 12 paintbrushes and an extra big one
  • Wide-ranging brush styles
  • Brushes made of synthetic anti-shed nylon
  • Organizer that doubles up as a pop-stand
  • Non-toxic materials that are safe for everyone including kids
  • Free palette, knife, and sponge

10. AMAGIC Fan Artist Brush Set

Looking for some truly worthy fan-style paintbrushes for acrylic or watercoloring? Why don’t you try out the AMAGIC Fan Brushes Artist Paint Brush Set. It comes with 6 fan-style brushes, and the benefits are phenomenal.

First of all, the brushes are of different sizes. You get a size 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. The versatile design of these brushes gives you the power to paint different images such as grasslands and leaves and to do nail art, face painting, and other fancy projects.

With these, you can use almost any art medium, including water, oil, and so on.

The handles are long and made of wood. They’re coated specially to make the sturdy while ensuring they remain very comfortable for the user.

When it comes to comfort and balance, these are some of the good painting sticks you’ll find.

Using a brush whose hairs keep falling out isn’t a very good experience. To dodge it, we advise you to go for a high-quality brush set with good bristles and ferrules.

You’ll be glad to know that the AMAGIC Fan Brushes have nylon hair which is secured using high-grade ferrules made of aluminum. The hairs don’t grow loose and stick out or fall apart. They rather remain tightly attached and in shape for years.

A good warranty is always an assurance that the manufacturer is willing to bet on the quality of their products. This set offers you a 2-month money-back guarantee and a 1-yeat replacement warranty.

Highlighted Features:

  • 6 fan-style brushes
  • Long solid wood shafts
  • Robust materials
  • Anti-shed nylon hairs
  • Money-back guarantee

11. CP Art Watercolor Brush Set

CP Art Watercolor Brush Set

Here’s yet another amazing set that offers you paintbrushes in a well-mixed fashion. There are 15 brushes in the set, and each has its specific size/shape valuable for a wide range of painting applications.

You even get a big brush for the large areas that require a fuller stroke that can’t be achieved with small brushes. That’s something that you don’t ordinarily get with smaller sets, and whether you’re a professional or a student, you’ll find it most helpful.

When buying paint brushes, one of the aspects you want to consider is the strength and flexibility of the brush head. The most amazing thing about the CP Art Watercolor Brushes is their heads.

These are made of premium nylon strands making it hard to shred. Moreover, the strands are tightly held by a double-crimped ferrule made of brass, and this ensures great longevity.

Both comfort and style are benefits you get to enjoy when you purchase this set. The handles are designed as an improvement over most other brands, in that they’re stylish and easy to use.

These handles are long and simple to hold due to the smooth nature of their surface. Not too smooth; just the right level of smoothness for a steady grip. Both the shaft and the ferrule feature attractive colors to match your style.

The CP Art brand has you covered in the care and maintenance task. With regards to that, it provides you with a nice-looking zippered case where you can neatly organize the brushes, putting them out of harm’s way.

For the traveling artist, this is a profound benefit.

Highlighted Features:

  • 15 brushes with a variety of sizes and shapes
  • High-grade brass ferrule
  • Nylon strands
  • Durable
  • Unlimited guarantee

12. Artbrush Tower Fine Detail Paint Brush

For the painter in need of a good, affordable set of high-quality sharp pointed brushes, this might be it. It’s made up of 7 detail brushes, and each of these has its own unique size to fit varying projects.

The sizes start from 000 all the way to 4, and each pen is clearly marked on the shaft, so you know exactly what size it is.

We liked the bristles a lot due to the fact that they stay intact, keeping the head in shape always. This attribute comes from the fact that the bristles are made of fine-quality synthetic materials and it also has something to do with the ferrules.

Poor quality brushes have the problem of the bristles getting detached from the shaft, but that’s not a problem you’ll face with this brand.

The ferrules are made of brass and coated with chrome for further enhancement. That way, there’s no wiggling or falling apart of the hairs.

Comfort and durability are the two words that best describe the nature of the shaft. The coat on the shaft actively wards off bad elements like moisture, thereby preventing fizzing and other situations that would otherwise slowly eat away your brushes.

Cleaning the brush after use is a piece of cake. With just some warm water and soap, you’re able to remove the paint and leave the head sparkly clean.

Highlighted Features:

  • 7 sharp point brushes
  • 7 different sizes ranging from 000 to 4
  • Double crimped ferrules
  • Comfort-grip handles
  • Multi-purpose use – detailing, art painting, and more

13. Artify Paint Brushes

How would you like to get 38 paintbrushes of varying colors, sizes and styles?

As a serious professional, you wouldn’t have to worry about paintbrushes for a long time, and you’d be assured that whatever project you have at hand, you can handle.

The collection of sizes that the set offers is super wide compared to other sets, and it includes angle, flat, filbert, sharp tip, and several other styles. With that, you can do minor details as well as big strokes with adequate versatility for handling just about any task.

The diversity of the hair type is another amazing feature. There are both natural and synthetic fibers, with varieties like a pony, hog, and traditional nylon dominating the lot.

You might have heard that natural fibers, though environmentally-friendly, have a problem with the longevity. While that is true, the natural fibers in this set are of superior quality, and they hold up pretty good.

Flaring, fraying, and falling out are issues that you won’t have to face when you get this set.

Because of that sturdiness, the heads are able to maintain their shape through years of use.

Protection for the brushes is very important if you want them to last. The brand makes this very easy for you by providing you with a well-designed canvas wrap.

The wrap is lightweight and flexible, and you can easily carry it in a bag. It’s the perfect tool for keeping your brushes safe from damage.

Highlighted Features:

  • 38 brushes
  • A wide array of sizes and shapes
  • Both natural and synthetic hairs are included
  • Special canvas wrap
  • Lacquer-coated handles for an easy grip

14. Art Advantage Brush Set, 24-Piece

6 flat synthetic, 6 flat natural, 6 round synthetic, and 6 round natural – that is the composition of the 24-piece Art Advantage Brush Set.

For a professional painter, these might not be very suitable, but for a beginner, they are some of the best acrylic brushes. Plus, they’re so reasonably priced, so you can learn without spending a fortune in the process.

Many of us in the art industry know how frustrating the inexpensive brush sets can be. You rush and buy because of the price only to find the bristle falling off and messing the project. But, this set is one of the few inexpensive yet high-quality ones.

There are 24 pieces in the set, and of these, you’ll find sizes and shapes including flat and round styles.

The long stick comes in handy when painting, allowing you to hold the brush in your preferred style.

It’s not uncommon to hear people complain about damaged brushes when the shipment arrives. Shipping involves lots of risk for the brushes, and the way to deal with that is to make the items sturdy with features that protect them well.

For that purpose, the Art Advantage brushes are designed with a coating that keeps the hairs strong and resilient to the pressures of packaging and transportation.

The set comes with a canvas roll-up, which is a free item meant to make the storage and transportation tasks effortless for you.

Balance is a factor that is well observed in the packaging. Half of the brushes’ bristles are made of natural hog hair while the other half is made of nylon, which is synthetic. Both of these materials are sturdy and resistant to shedding.

Highlighted Features:

  • 24 pieces
  • Free canvas roll-up
  • Both synthetic and natural bristles
  • Protective coating
  • Long handles

15. StarVast Painting Brushes

This one is for the professionals. If you’re an artist and are looking for a well assorted set of paintbrushes, we suggest you try the StarVast Painting Brushes.

The pack includes only 10 pieces, but of these, you’ll find almost every type of brush needed to complete a painting. There are round, filbert, and flat varieties in there, and thus you can easily do different projects such as watercoloring, nail art, and acrylic painting.

Amazingly, these high-end brushes are pretty affordable, going for just around 5 bucks. That’s an average of 50 cents per pen, which is truly nice. Most brands offering such quality do so for more than double the price.

So, if your budget is very tight, but you still need the top-notch quality, this is the deal to take.

These brushes don’t have regular hair; the hair used in their manufacture is premium quality obtained from South Korea. The hair is exceptionally resilient, so that following each stroke, the shape of the head goes back to normal.

We spoke to a couple of people that had used the StarVast Painting Brushes, and almost all of them said these were some of the most durable brushes they’d ever used.

Due to the sturdiness of the bristles, achieving evenness with the strokes is a cinch. The hairs are able to hold the paint and release it beautifully on different media.

Highlighted Features:

  • 10 pieces
  • Premium hair imported from S. Korea
  • Different shapes
  • Easy to clean
  • Great customer care
  • Smooth, even application
  • Durable

Benefits of Using High-Quality Acrylic Paint Brushes

Benefits of Using High-Quality Acrylic Paint Brushes

Are you dissatisfied with your paint brushes? Perhaps the bristles keep getting stuck in the paint, or the bristle just aren’t absorbing the paint very well.

Or, maybe, you end up with hand cramps and blisters every time you’re finished painting because of the hard, user-hostile nature of the bristle stick.

Whatever the case, we want you to know that you don’t have to put up with those low-quality, annoying paint brushes; there are much better options out there.

Here are some of the advantages of choosing high-quality paint brushes such as the ones covered above:

Secure Bristles

One of the benefits of a high-quality paint brush is that the bristles remain intact and in place. The inserts and ferrules are made from robust materials like copper, which make certain the bristles don’t grow loose.

Another issue that painters often complain about is limp bristles. The bristles of high-grade acrylic pain brushes are made of polyester-nylon blends, which ensure they stay soft yet adequately stiff to hold their shape when you’re painting. That helps you paint faster and achieve an even finish.

No more streaks

Art teachers will tell you that streaks come when you paint another coat before the previous one dries up. However, there’s another reason – using a paint brush with extra-stiff bristles. With a high-quality paint brush, you get to attain a uniform finish that is streak-free.

Better experience

Using a low-grade paint brush can leave your exhausted and your hands burning with pain. Firstly, the good design of the bristles of the high-quality brushes ensures you get a uniform coat faster, thus reducing the workload. Secondly, the ergonomic design of the handle and the grips introduces an aspect of comfort and profoundly lowers the chances of bruising. 

As you can see, you have numerous reasons for getting a top-notch quality acrylic paint brush.

Different Types of Paint Brushes for Acrylic

Acrylic paint brushes can be sorted in various ways, the most popular one being the shape of the head. Let’s go ahead and see the categories there are based on the head’s shape.

  • Fan – this type has bristles shaped like a fan, and that’s where the name comes from. Fan brushes are available in a variety of sizes, and they’re perfect for drawing bushes, clouds, and other items that require broad strokes.
  • Flat – these have square-shaped ends, and the thing with them is that they can hold lots of paint. Flat brushes are great for making bold strokes, and they come in handy when you want to cover large areas such as the background.
  • Angle – the ends of such brushes are slanted. These give you better control when you’re painting large areas that incorporate thin details.
  • Round – this variety is often confused with filbert, with some people thinking that brushes whose edges are round fall in this category while they actually fall in the filbert class. Round brushes have a point or round tip (not ends).
  • Filbert – the top of the brush is flat, but the ends are rounded. After blocking paint with a flat, a filbert will come in helpful for blending it.

Best Acrylic Paint Brushes Brands on The Market

How would you rate a paint brush? Durability, comfort, and efficiency are some of the parameters that artists use to rank brushes.

Are the bristles soft enough to allow a smooth application yet stiff enough to stay in shape? Is the gripping surface comfortable to hold? Is the shaft at the right length level? These are just a few of the questions asked.

The top acrylic paintbrushes are constantly in competition with each other, trying to offer their customers the highest levels of satisfaction. Let’s go over a few of these brands.

1. Mont Marte

Mont Marte is an Australian multinational brand that designs and manufactures some of the top-notch quality brushes for acrylic paint in the world. The company started as a small family firm owned by Bob and Carol and with just one employee, Jared.

15 years later, the company is now the preferred art supplies brand in China and Australia, selling brushes, paints, scrapbooking stickers, and other art materials to artists in over 70 countries globally. The number of employees has also increased to 40.

2. Myartscape

Family-owned companies are often about passion, and that’s exactly what Myartscape is about.

The art supplies firm, which is owned and run by a husband and wife, sources its bristles from S. Korea while the sticks are obtained from China. The assembly plant is also in China, but the distribution center is in the US.

Myartscape is mostly known for offering high-quality brushes and other art supplies at some of the most affordable rates.

3. Benicci

Benicci is yet another family owned art materials company. The firm is based in Starboard Street, Orlando, FL, and it is from there that it designs and makes some of the most durable, most affordable paint brushes for acrylics, watercolor, and other kinds of painting.

Dedication to quality and customer satisfaction are the mottos that keep this brand at the top.

4. D’Artisan Shoppe

D’Artisan Shoppe is a very popular name among watercolorists all over the world. With more than 3 decades of experience in the design and manufacture of paintbrushes, the brand avails some of the great brushes for professionals and students alike.

When it comes to paint-holding capacity, there’s virtually nothing better than D’Artisan Shoppe’s brushes.

5. Heartybay

The story behind the founding of the Heartybay brand is quite fascinating. Ben, the founder, used to be a toy merchandizer and his 6-year-old daughter had a keen interest in painting. So, Ben bought his daughter, Sunny, a paintbrush but then, due to its sloppy manufacture, ended up injuring her hand.

Ben, therefore, decided to make paintbrushes for his daughter and with the help of his college friends, Randal and Bill, he was able to make safe paintbrushes not only for Sunny but also kids all over the world.

Acrylic Vs. Oil Paint Brushes

To understand the difference between the acrylic and the oil paint brushes, you need first to study the difference between acrylic and oil paints.

For instance, acrylics dry quickly while oil paints dry slowly. Since we cannot list all the differences here, we recommend you visit this blog and read more there.

Material used for the bristles

One of the most important differences between oil and acrylic paints is that the latter is more caustic. For that reason, natural fibers aren’t normally used for making their bristles.

So, a major variation is that synthetic bristles are preferred for acrylic brushes over the less resilient natural fibers.

Versatility

Due to the fact that the bristles of oil paintbrushes are often made of natural hairs, these brushes cannot be used for just any painting project, especially one involving acrylic paints. The synthetic fibers used in acrylic brushes make them versatile, allowing them to be used for just about any project.

How to Clean and Store Acrylic Brushes Properly

How to Clean and Store Acrylic Brushes Properly

Hey, you know what? One of the reasons for the damage and decreased ease of use is the failure to clean the paintbrushes after use.

When you don’t clean the brushes immediately after use, the paint dries on the bristles, causing them to become frayed and crusty. The painting efficiency drastically reduces to the point that brushes can no longer be used.

That’s why it’s so crucial to clean your brushes promptly once you’re done painting.

Here are the steps to use to give your paintbrushes a good wash:

  • Put the brush in a rag or a paper towel and compress the bristles to remove the excess paint.
  • Pour some water in a cup and use the brush to stir the water, so the stuck paint loosens up.
  • Go through the first step again.
  • Open the tap at your sink and if you can adjust the water’s temperature, set it to lukewarm and rinse the brush under it. With your hands, squash the bristles gently to extricate the remaining paint.
  • Coat the brush with some soap and work it onto the stick and the hairs gently. You can use any mild soap but refrain from any abrasive/harsh products.
  • Rinse the brush under the tap.
  • At this juncture, the paint should all be gone. However, if some paint remains, wash the brush with soap again and see how it goes.
  • If the brush is paint-free, dry the excess water with a clean rag or paper towel.
  • Ensure the brush is totally dry before storing it.

Note: over time, the bristles become tinted with the colors of the paints you use most of the time. That’s normal, and it won’t diminish the effectiveness of the paintbrush.

With that aside, let’s now see how to store the brushes correctly.

Tips for storing your paintbrushes properly:

  • Before storing the brushes, ensure you clean and dry them.
  • Don’t store them in water or another solvent as that will damage them.
  • You can use a jar to store the brushes, ensuring the bristles face up. Touching the bottom of the jar, the bristles get bent and kicked out of shape.
  • Some brushes come with organizers or bags that double up as storage systems. If you have one, use it as directed by the manufacturer.
  • For those with a permanent workspace, simply leaving the clean brushes lying on the table might do, as well as they’re well organized and as long as there’s nothing to bend the hairs.
  • There is a myriad of brush storage systems or rather organizers on offer. These come with a specific number of holes where you can insert each brush and store it standing upright. A good one we found is the Loew Cornell Multi Bin Holder, which has fifty holes. You could even store other items in there like pens or marker.
  • If your brush has natural hair bristles like hog, then you need to protect them from moth damage. Storing them in an airtight container should suffice.
  • As mentioned earlier, don’t store your paintbrushes with the paint still on. Be sure to clean and dry the bristles to prevent them from drying and fraying.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

My brush is tinted. Is that a problem?

It is normal for paintbrushes to get tinted with the color of the paint that is used most of the time. Tinting is not a problem, and it will not affect the quality of your work.

How do I boost the life of my paintbrushes?

The lifespan highly depends on these two factors – cleaning and storage. Immediately after use, be sure to clean the brushes. Dry them and then store them in a safe, dry place, preferably in a container or an organizer, with the bristles facing up, so they don’t get bent.

Avoid leaving the paintbrushes in water or other liquids.

The paint on the handle is fizzing. What could be the cause and how do I fix it?

The most common cause of fizzing of the paintwork is exposing the brush to moisture for extended periods. The water slowly penetrates the stick, causing it to expand and that’s what leads to fizzing.

You can stop the fizzing by coating the stick with high-grade protective oil but since preventing the problem is better that curing it, avoid leaving the brush soaked in water and store the brush in a dry place.

How do I go about removing paint from the brushes?

Squeezing with a rag or paper towel and then cleaning with water and soap often works but if getting rid of the paint is proving tricky, try using isopropyl or rubbing alcohol.

Note that with time, the bristles get stained and there’s nothing much you can do about that. But again, staining isn’t a problem you need to worry about as it doesn’t affect the painting or the performance of the brushes.

Final Word

Phew! That’s it, friends. We hope that our post has been helpful to you. Our reviews include some of the best paint brushes for acrylic painting as studied and experienced by real artists like ourselves and Tony Mahone, and we’re certain that you’ll not be disappointed.

Now, keep it in mind that there are both student-level and artist-level brushes in there, so be sure to look at the features meticulously before buying.

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