As one of the most versatile and easy-to-use paint, acrylic has been a favorite by artists, DIYers, and crafting enthusiasts. However, acrylic isn’t the most friendly paint for brushes. You are going to need the best acrylic paint brushes if you want to work with this medium.
Much like nail polish requires specific nail art brushes, the same goes for acrylic paint. After all, this type of paint is highly durable and flexible, it’s impossible that there aren’t any disadvantages to it.
Although technically, you can use any type of brush with acrylic paint, natural-hair brushes might not be able to last long. The brush, at the very least, will lose its shape, but will eventually meet its destruction over time. Check out some of the brushes below to suit different projects and skill levels:
Best Acrylic Paint Brushes for Professionals: Long Handle Brush Winsor & Newton
The Winsor & Newton brand has been in the art industry as early as the 1800s, launching the very first moist watercolor. Throughout the years, the company continues to provide classic yet contemporary art tools and pieces, which you can see for yourself in the Winsor & Newton Professional Acrylic Brush with Long Handle.
This brush set comes with 5 long acrylic brushes in different shapes. The superior quality synthetic brushes are ideal for acrylic paint, even heavy body acrylics. To maintain the shape of the brush, it has medium stiffness. The polyester fiber brush also gives you better control over color.
Ideal for Art Students: da Vinci Oil & Acrylic Series 5403
Hailing from Germany, the da Vinci brand is a prime manufacturer of all types of brushes, even cosmetics, nails, and dental brushes. You can expect the same level of quality on all the company’s products, including the da Vinci Oil & Acrylic Series 5403.
There are 10 college brushes in the 5403. These are highly ideal for use in school or by beginners as these brushes can handle all types of media. The strong synthetic fibers on the brush are easy to clean up plus the eco-friendly handles are non-slip. The da Vinci Oil & Acrylic Series 5403 comes in a tidy can, making it a good idea for a gift to new artists.
For Bigger Projects: Rembrandt Angle Sash Semi-Oval Brush
ArroWorthy has been providing high-quality, professional brushes since the 60s. The company has developed the NYLYN, which is a new type of filament for better application of paints. The Rembrandt Angle Sash Semi-Oval Brush uses this technology, it is a blend of NYLYN and polyester.
Whether you are painting a much larger canvas or an entire wall, this Rembrandt brush is perfect. The Rembrandt Angle Sash Semi-Oval Brush is 12 inches long, including the oakwood handle. It is easy to clean and boasts superior memory retention—this means the brush will remain firm and fine plus it is resistant to high temperatures.
Budget-Friendly Option: Loew-Cornell 245B Brush Set
Loew-Cornell boasts an extensive line of arts and crafts products, providing quality tools since 1963. If you are just starting out and want to try every little bit of tool during your art exploration, the Loew-Cornell 245B Brush Set is a great option. You will definitely get the most bang out of your buck with this set.
The Loew-Cornell 245B Brush Set contains 25 pieces of art tools, from brushes to sponges. For acrylic paint, there are nylon and bristle brushes in the set that you can use. Don’t worry about slippage, all of the brushes come with wooden handles.
For Miniatures: Rosmax Acrylic Paint Brushes Set Series
Are you working on small projects? Like teeny-tiny ones? Then check out the Rosmax Acrylic Paint Brushes Set Series. Designed specifically for acrylic paint, this set contains 15 brushes ranging from a size 0 to 4/0. You can paint on minuscule models or create detailed work on larger art.
Do your hands cramp up when you are working on small or tiny projects? This won’t be a worry with the Rosmax Acrylic Paint Brushes Set Series as the brushes have ergonomic, triangular handles. The synthetic hair on the brushes will not split or shed, thanks to the aluminum ferrule. The brushes come neatly in a bag, perfect for artists on the go.
For Better Grip: CONDA Paint Brushes Set of 24
If you have a hard time getting a grip on your paintbrushes, check out the CONDA Paint Brushes Set of 24. All of the brushes in this set have ergonomic wooden handles. The high-quality nylon bristles promise to stay intact in the aluminum ferrules—you won’t see any annoying stray hairs on your artwork with these brushes.
For long art projects, you can leave the CONDA Paint Brushes Set of 24 soaking in water up to 48 hours, the brushes will stay in shape All the brushes come neatly in a nylon roll-up organizer case that is water- and oil-proof.
Best Acrylic Paint Brushes for Beginners: Princeton Velvetouch 3950 Series
The Princeton Velvetouch 3950 Series is perfect for beginners who are looking for a brush that can match their skill set as they progress in the arts. Princeton Brush Company has been in the industry for over 2 decades, providing exceptional quality products at a fair price point.
The Princeton Velvetouch 3950 Series has the very basics to jumpstart your painting journey. The set contains 5 brushes: spotter, angle shader, filbert, and round in 2 sizes. All brushes have satin finishes to keep them from slipping through your fingers. These brushes deliver excellent coverage and boast a high color-holding capacity, thanks to their animal-friendly, synthetic blend.
One Stroke Technique: Plaid One Stroke Brush Set
The one stroke painting is a technique wherein you only use one brush to achieve blending, highlighting, and shading. Think of painting a snake in one stroke, dainty flower petals, airy feathers, colorful butterflies, and more. You can achieve this technique with the Plaid One Stroke Brush Set. You’ll get 10 brushes in this set (script liners, flat, and scruffy brushes).
Plaid is a well-known brand in the DIY community. It offers a wide range of products for crafting enthusiasts. Staying true to their target market, the Plaid One Stroke Brush Set comes with a usage chart. You’ll know exactly which brush will work for your creation.
Best Brushes for Blending Acrylic Paint Royal & Langnickel Menta 78
Royal & Langnickel has been manufacturing art supplies since the 1950s and the company is not stopping when it comes to producing the very best brushes. The Menta Series 78 features synthetic sable filaments, which are perfect for blending acrylic paint. It will retain its shape over time and it won’t break as fast as natural sable.
The cruelty-free and 100% vegan Menta Series 78 is quite stunning too. The handle is bright teal, this will not chip, swell, or crack in water. It also comes with a gold-plated ferrule. With this set, you’ll get fan, angular, stroker, and shader brushes.
For Furniture DIY: FolkArt Soft Grip Detail Brush Set
Updating your furniture will take forever if you use regular-sized brushes. The FolkArt Soft Grip Detail Brush Set is the ideal choice for DIY painting projects around the house. This set features Golden Taklon bristles for the smooth application of acrylic paint. FolkArt is more known for its paint products but it’s only natural that the brand carries applicator of said paint products.
The brushes in the set come in 3 sizes: 1/2, 3/4, and 1 inch. For your comfort, all of the brushes come with soft and non-slip grips. The FolkArt Soft Grip Detail Brush Set is large enough for DIY painting projects. But at the same time, it can still offer you control and precision for smaller details.
Why Use Acrylic Paint?
Acrylic paint, especially water-based ones, is actually fairly new in the art industry (especially if you compare it to oil paint or even crayons). The very first water-based acrylic paint was only available commercially during the mid 20th century, which is a far cry from 15th-century oil and enamel paint.
However, through the years, acrylic paint proves to be superior in the art world, here are a few advantages:
Less Toxic
Water-based acrylic paint is fairly safe to use in and around the house. It won’t cause danger to children and pets, you can even do art activities with kids using this paint.
Affordable
Making art does not have to be expensive, acrylic paint is one of the most affordable media that you can use. More importantly, it will look good after if you learn how to apply it correctly, maybe even as good as an oil painting?
Versatile
You can use acrylic paint on just about any project that you can think of. Projects don’t necessarily have to be closed off on a canvas or a sketchbook. You can use acrylic paint on wood, clay, cardboard, plaster, and even rocks.
Quick Drying Time
You don’t have to wait long to show off your projects with acrylic paint. Drying time is fairly quick, so you can easily layer up if needed. This can also lessen the chances of getting into wet paint “accidents.”
Room for Error
Beginners prefer acrylic paint as it is more forgiving than other types of paint. If you make a mistake, you can use water to thin the acrylic out since it is water-soluble. Of course, you only have a short window to make your erasure because once it dries, it’s permanent. But then again, better than starting from scratch or making coverups.
Best Way to Clean Acrylic Paint Brushes
It’s too good to be true if the acrylic paint doesn’t have a disadvantage. it actually does, it’s pretty harsh on paintbrushes. But not to worry, you can maintain the quality of your brushes and use them for a long time if you clean them properly.
However, if you have tried out everything here and the brush is still a mess, it might be time to simply say goodbye and get a new one.
Read the Instructions
How to clean the acrylic paint off of your brush will depend on your actual brush. Always, always check the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to cleaning up so you don’t damage the bristles and ferrules as well as the handles.
Remove Paint Immediately
Once you are sure you are done painting, you have to wipe off the excess paint on the brush. Once that acrylic paint dries on your brush, your brush might never be the same again.
Use Soap
Mild soap is the way to go if there aren’t any instructions for cleaning up your paintbrush. Combine water and mild soap until sudsy and then put your brush in. Wash off the soap with clean water afterward.
Dunk It
For stubborn paint on your brush, soaking it overnight might just do the trick. This will loosen up anything stuck on the bristles of the brush and the next day, you should be able to wipe it off. If not, use mild soap and water.
Get a Brush Cleaner
There are of course professional brush cleaner solutions available in the market. You need to handle brush cleaner solutions with care. Again, follow the instructions on it so your brush will be as good as new again.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to acrylic paint, synthetic brushes are the way to go. However, when it comes to the best acrylic paint brushes brand that is still up for debate. There will always be one painter who prefers one brand over the other. All you need to know is the best acrylic paintbrush should be the one that is able to meet your needs and of course, fit your project.
Did you find our tips on the best acrylic paint brushes useful? Then be sure to check out our other articles, such as the best canvases for acrylic paint, or the best acrylic paint pens! Thanks for reading!