Learn how to choose the right brush for the stroke or effect you want using Donovan’s Guide. Choosing a paintbrush isn’t about owning every shape, it’s about understanding what kind of mark you want to make. Once you know how different brushes behave, you can work more confidently, paint more expressively, and avoid fighting your tools.
This guide breaks brushes down by stroke, texture, and effect, so you can pick the right brush for the job every time.
Brushes for Smooth Washes & Soft Transitions
Mop Brush
- Best for: Large washes, skies, soft backgrounds
- Stroke: Fluid, rounded, seamless
- Why it works: Holds a lot of water and releases it evenly
Hake Brush
- Best for: Flat washes, backgrounds, ink work
- Stroke: Wide, soft-edged strokes
- Often used in: Watercolour, gouache, sumi-e
Sumi Brush
- Best for: Expressive, calligraphic strokes
- Stroke: Thick-to-thin in one movement
- Perfect for: Loose painting, ink, gestural work
Flat Blender
- Best for: Softening edges, blending colours
- Stroke: Gentle, diffused transitions
- Tip: Use dry or barely damp
Varnish Brush
- Best for: Applying varnish evenly
- Stroke: Long, smooth, streak-free
- Not ideal for: Detailed painting
Mottler Brush
- Best for: Large washes, blocking in colour, glazing, varnishing
- Stroke: Broad, smooth, even coverage
- Why it works: Wider than most flat brushes and holds more paint or water, giving you fewer streaks and more control
- Great for: Watercolour, acrylic, oil and gouache
- Pro tip: Use it well-loaded for seamless washes, or nearly dry to gently soften edges and blend areas
Brushes for Controlled Shapes & Classic Painting
Round Brush
- Best for: Lines, detail, general painting
- Stroke: Thin to thick depending on pressure
- Most versatile brush in any kit
Flat Brush
- Best for: Bold blocks of colour, edges
- Stroke: Straight-edged, graphic
- Great for: Acrylics and oils
Filbert Brush
- Best for: Soft shapes, blending, petals
- Stroke: Rounded edges, smooth curves
- Why artists love it: Combines flat + round benefits
Cat’s Tongue Brush
- Best for: Controlled organic shapes
- Stroke: Tapered, soft-edged marks
- Perfect for: Florals, portraits, natural forms
Angle Brush
- Best for: Sharp edges, corners, lettering
- Stroke: Crisp, directional
- Great for: Architectural details and foliage
Brushes for Lines, Texture & Expressive Marks
Rigger (Liner) Brush
- Best for: Long, flowing lines
- Stroke: Continuous and thin
- Perfect for: Branches, grasses, rigging
Fan Brush
- Best for: Soft texture, blending
- Stroke: Feathered, broken marks
- Use lightly to avoid overworking
Dagger Brush
- Best for: Dynamic, one-stroke shapes
- Stroke: Thick-to-thin curves
- Great for: Leaves, petals, expressive marks
Rake Brush
- Best for: Texture and broken colour
- Stroke: Striated, uneven
- Ideal for: Hair, grass, wood grain
Deerfoot Stippler
- Best for: Clouds, foliage, mottled texture
- Stroke: Soft dabbing marks
- Works beautifully with acrylics and oils
Tools for Texture, Effects & Mixed Media
Stippling Brush
- Best for: Dots, grainy texture
- Stroke: Repeated tapping
- Great for: Stone, foliage, atmospheric effects
Silicone Shaper
- Best for: Moving, carving, or removing paint
- Stroke: Clean, precise manipulation
- Excellent for: Texture work and mixed media
Palette Knife
- Best for: Thick paint, scraping, bold texture
- Stroke: Sharp, sculptural marks
- Ideal for: Impasto and expressive painting
Sponge
- Best for: Organic textures
- Stroke: Random, natural patterns
- Perfect for: Clouds, backgrounds, abstract work
Langnickel Dauber
- Best for: Smooth circular blending
- Stroke: Soft, even application
- Often used for: Stencilling and tonal transitions
How to Choose the Right Brush (Quick Tips)
- Think stroke first, brush second
- Softer brushes = smoother blends
- Stiffer brushes = texture and control
- Bigger brush = looser painting
- Smaller brush = more detail (but don’t overuse)
If you ever feel stuck, try switching brushes instead of changing your technique. Often, the brush is the solution.
You don’t need every brush. You need the right few brushes that match how you like to paint. Understanding what each brush does gives you freedom, confidence, and better results on paper or canvas.
If you’d like help choosing brushes in-store or online, the Deckle Edge team is always happy to guide you