what are the best brushes for acrylic for a beginning artist to start with?

Question

I plan on painting on bristol paper first than stretched canvas. Use the same brushes? What are the differences? And finally, how do I keep from getting a *thin* looking painting on canvas(can see white spots) is it a technique thing? Any advice?

Answer 1

brushes... go with the best you can afford, don't jip yourself and work with crappy brushes, go to any craft store and pick out the sizes yo like best, splurge a little, it's worth it, and yes the same brushes work for everything. Your canvas doesn't affect the type of brush, only the size.

"thinness"... use more paint. It's as simple as that.

Answer 2

The white spots come from using colors that are translucent, such as alizarin crimson. The best way to find opaque colors is to look at the samples on the color charts of the paints you are buying. If you are using a translucent color and want it to be a little more opaque, you can try adding a little white to it. This will alter the color however.

As far as brushes go, you need to use brushes with some "body" to them. Soft sable brushes or camel's hair only work if you are using the acrylic like a water color, but since you are talking about the paint not looking "thin" then I assume you are wanting to paint thick, like oils. Synthetics are good for that, as are boar bristle and neither are very expensive. You should get a pointed brush in a synthetic, and a couple of flats in a bristle and a synthetic.

Answer 3

lextigrexattaques and Gregg H actually have both really good answers.

So, the only thing I would add is that I actually use good quality bristle brushes and good quality acrylic paint. I like the bristle brush simply because it tends to work best for my style of painting which leans more towards impressionism. Ultimately, you will need to do a lot of your own experimenting with different brushes, mediums, and surfaces to find the ones that keep calling you back to them.

In addition, as far as the white spots on your canvas, you just need to start out with an under painting. All that means is to get good color coverage all over your canvas. Example: say you are doing a landscape with mountains in the background, a blue sky, and maybe a meadow and some trees in the foreground. Just lay on the base of those colors (sky, mountains, meadow & trees) which at this point would be your under painting. Start with what’s farthest away and then work towards the front. Once that is done and dry, you can proceed with the actual painting.

Below is a link to my favorite site for art supplies for those of us who are on a budget or just like a good deal.

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 4

Good synthetic brushes are fine for Acrylic paint. No need to invest in some fine sable brushes, this would just be a waste of money. Better to invest the money in good paint. Any good craft store should have someone on hand to answer your questions regarding good brushes. Make sure when you are done, to rinse them very well before putting them away. A mild detergent works just fine, then rinse with warm water.
Artists love acrylics, because there is no linseed oil smell (although some do love that smell) and you can create anything from a very thin watercolor like wash, to a very heavy impasto. Good luck with your work.

Answer 5

This is a good basic list to work from. . . works for both acrylic and oil. . . . Cadmium Yellow Light Yellow Ochre Cadmium Red Light Venetian Red Cadmium Orange Burnt Sienna Burnt Umber Alizarin Crimson Chromium Oxide Green Viridian Cerulean Blue Ultramarine Blue Ivory Black Titanium White

Answer 6

use a palate knife to place a full transparent colors on your paper or cancase then paint on top with a flat bristol brush