The brush is an important material for oil painting. So, picking up the best brush for oil painting can be a tricky job. You have to keep in mind many factors, for instance, types, parts, shapes, and sizes. Therefore, the job could be overwhelming for beginners. But no worries, we are here for you.
We picked up the top 10 best brushes for oil-based paint for your convenience. We explored the market very carefully as we understand how delightfully quirky you can be about your oil paint brushes. So, for sure, we spent a lot of time finding a quality product. Hence, you can trust us. So, join the quest and pick up the suitable one.
Table of Contents
10 Best Oil Paint Brushes Reviews
1. da Vinci Watercolor 4225 Da Vinci Kolinsky Sable Sampler – best oil paint brushes for artists
It’s always better to buy a brush set which you can use for professional work. Because lower-priced brushes can’t give you the quality and service that you expected from them. So, do you need a quality brush set? If yes, let’s unfold the features of da Vinci.
Mainly, da Vinci works great with gouache, watercolor, acrylic, and oil paints. They are available in different varieties, for instance, bright, cat tongue, linear medium, filbert, rigger XL, Rigger medium, and round. After that, you can pick up your preferred size ranging from 0 to 24.
Amazingly enough, the handles of the Vinci brushes are handmade to thwart any unfavorable environmental impact.
Further, Longer bristles ensure faster tip action plus tight point snap. You will also be pleased to see that the extension handle is quite fat than any standard brush yet not bulky.
- They can hold a load of water.
- They provide ample snap.
- Portable hence suitable for travel.
- Size variety is sensational.
- These brushes point perfectly.
- Ideal for professionals.
- Hand-crafted in Germany
- They have a bad odor.
Verdict
These brushes are the ultimate solution for professionals. Da Vinci watercolor brushes are exactly what you need to go for detailed work. However, if you don’t have a good budget, you may like to check out the other reviews.
2. Adi’s Art Pro Paint Brushes Set – best oil paint brushes for beginners
Adi’s Art paint brushes are exclusively designed with firmly held bristles; hence, they can hold the paint exceptionally well. Besides that, they also provide smooth strokes.
The best thing about this brush is that it always retains its shape after cleaning. So, no worries, after cleaning, it will be like new.
Further, these brushes feature some fine quality material. They contain hand-picked synthetic bristles that are non-shedding.
Besides that, the handles of the brushes are made of authentic birch wood. Also, they feature aluminum oxide ferrules, which are rust-resistant.
You will get 3 filbert paintbrush, 2 flat paintbrush sizes, 2 angle brushes, 2 round paintbrush sizes, and 1 rigger brush in this set.
- It provides a vibrant finish due to toxin-free UV paint.
- These brushes do not lose shape.
- Functions with all types of paint, for instance, watercolor, acrylic, and oil paint.
- It has a gorgeous white color design.
- Do not have any odor or toxin.
- It comes with a 12 monthly satisfaction guarantee.
- Apply evenly as well as comfortable to hold.
- Great for face painting.
- These brushes are not very absorbent.
Verdict
I just love this set. Even though it’s for beginners, but if you do not have a generous budget, I think you really can give it a go. Besides that, a professional artist always likes to have a rich collection. So, these brushes must deserve a spot in their collection.
3.Red Sable Filbert Paint Brushes – best oil paint brushes for fine detail
Red Sable filbert paint brushes are available in different sizes. You will get the ranges large #12 #10 #8 #6 #4 #2.
Move on, the handles of this set are also made of durable birch wood handles. They are very comfortable to hold.
Further, these brushes are portable, therefore, easy to store. Brilliantly enough, these brushes contained an assortment of organic kolinsky hair; hence, they ensure amazing liquid capacity.
In addition to that, these brushes deliver brilliant strokes. They are compatible with oil paint, mixed media, watercolor, and acrylic.
- These brushes load as well as paint very well.
- They offer a smooth feel.
- The length is great.
- Great for students.
- They clean up effortlessly.
- The tip is in brilliant shape.
- The deal does not include a case.
- At times, the brushes can shed.
Verdict
Definitely, A high-quality product that adds value to your artwork. Great for beginners. Professionals can also give a shot if their budget is less forgiving.
4. Artify 2019 New 15 Pcs Paint Brush Set – best oil paint brushes for portraits
Artify brush set is perfect for Gouache, watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting. This applied a heavy glue where bristles and wood meet; hence, ferrules don’t get loose or come off easily.
Myriad hairbrushes have the complication of hair fall. Artify used a range of top-quality nylon materials; therefore, the probability of hair loss minimizes.
This set is available in various sizes. You can find different sizes, for instance, comb—fan, round, filbert, angular, flat, and liner.
Further, it also comes with a convenient carry case that can be used as a pop-up stand. Two sponges plus a palette knife are also included in the deal.
- It holds paint extremely well.
- The case stores everything conveniently.
- It comes in a variety of sizes.
- It does not lose hair while you are painting.
- The brushes are extremely sturdy.
- The brushes do not possess a sharp edge.
Verdict
This brush set seems great for travel. It’s also beginner-friendly. If you do proper maintenance, it can last for a considerable amount of time (several months) with constant use.
5. Artist Paint Brush Set
We will recommend the Artist paint brush set as a travel set at an affordable price in our recommendation list.
Move on to the size of the product.
The artist paint brush set is available in 15 different sizes. They are compatible with Gouache, oil, watercolor, and acrylic paint.
Interestingly enough, the artist’s paintbrush set is handmade. They used the highest quality material; hence, no loose hair will spoil your work.
I find the brush handle size is medium. The length of the brush is around nine and a half inches. You will find an easy-going experience to work with it. Anyway, the handle is made of wood.
After painting, the brushes return their original shape with proper care. You just have to wash them.
- It has a sleek design.
- Paint is extremely slickly and fluidly with these brushes.
- Comes with a carrying case.
- It provides a terrific elasticity.
- Absorbs an adequate amount of water; hence, it does not spread or stay while painting.
- The brushes are not really as firm as I expected. I will rather say they are moderately firm.
- I really do not find an acrylic is a good option with these brushes.
Verdict
These brushes are sturdy, the quality is great. And the price is definitely a bonus point for this product. Overall, this brush can really be a great help to you.
6. BOSOBO Paint Brushes Set – best affordable oil paint brushes
If you are a rough artist and do not want to go for an expensive brush, I guess this set could be a great option for you. They are cheap as hell.
They can be used for miniature detailing, face nail art, rock painting, watercolor, oil, and acrylic.
These brushes are also available in a variety of shapes. The handles are quite small. They are constructed of wood; hence, you get perfect control over minor details.
- The brush doesn’t shed hair.
- Easy to clean.
- These brushes are double-crimped.
- They hold up well.
- Great for beginners.
- These brushes are a bit soft. Hence, rough artists do not prefer that.
- The handles are small.
Verdict
These brushes are decent and can be a good choice for beginners. However, they won’t last for a long time.
7. Oil Acrylic Paint Brushes Set
First of all, let’s talk about the ergonomic handles of this set. The handles of the brushes are long; hence, they provide free movement for electrifying brushstrokes. Due to long distances, you also get a perspective on your artwork. After that, they are lightweight and balanced.
These brushes are handmade. They are crafted from the finest chunking hog hair bristle; hence, the paint distributes evenly.
It can also be a perfect travel-friendly set as the set comes with a protective organizer plus a dust bag.
- There is rarely any shedding.
- Easy to manage.
- It comes in a safe box.
- Price seems extremely affordable.
- These brushes do not hold up very well.
- At times, they do not retain shape after cleaning.
Verdict
This one is not really suitable for professional work. So, I will suggest it for beginners.
8. Mont Marte Art Paint Brushes Set – best quality oil painting brushes
This brushes set is available in 15 different sizes. They are handmade and made of the best material; therefore, no bristle can spoil your work.
These brushes are suitable for various applications, for instance, oil, gouaches, watercolor, and acrylic paintings.
The set comes with a handy case; hence, you can take this set anywhere easily.
- These brushes are resilient; hence, the paint flows easily.
- Bristles are pretty well-formed.
- It comes in a sturdy carrying case that has a zipper.
- Extremely easy to clean.
- It does not hold enough water.
- The case is a bit smelly.
Verdict
This set is entirely a blessing for those artists who have a tight budget.
9. CONDA Paint Brushes Set
These brushes can be used to work with oil, gouache, watercolor, and acrylic. In my experience, I can say that they can cover a wide array of ventures.
The handles of the brushes are made of wood. They are extremely lightweight; hence, they very comfortable to hold. Besides this, it also provides easy control.
The length and weight are perfect. You will be beautifully surprised to know that the deal also offers a free canvas case. Hence, you can conveniently carry them anywhere.
- Handles are beautiful as well as handy.
- These brushes do not shed.
- Extremely easy and fun to clean.
- Extremely affordable price.
- They are smelly but dissipate soon.
- At times, they may hold the stain of heavy pigments.
Verdict
Well, this is a good set, but if you do not have a tight budget, I will suggest you go for another set. In that case, I will recommend this product to people who have a tight budget.
10. ATool Paint Brush Set – best oil paint brushes for procreate
Commonly, nylon brushes are cheap, and the brushes’ quality is less standard than other brushes. However, the scenario is different this time.
You will be beautifully surprised to know that these nylon brushes are made of nickel ferrules, anti-rust. Therefore, it prevents falling out.
Interestingly, these brushes are available in 10 different sizes, for instance, #3/0 #2 #4 #6 #10 312.
What’s more, the wooden handles are sturdy; hence, you can smoothly paint in detailed areas. It also ensures smooth strokes.
The maintenance process is easier than you could ever imagine. You just need some warm soapy water to retain its shape. You can also do airdry. That would definitely, extend the life of the brushes.
- Available in different sizes.
- Comfortable handles that suit your style.
- Suitable to work with any medium.
- It has a reasonable price.
- These brushes feel incredibly soft; hence, you have so much fun to work with.
- The handles are not really as long as I expected. So, I guess it would be better if they are longer.
Verdict
The price of this product is just amazing—a value for the money product.
Wrapping up
These are our top 10 best oil paint brushes. Most of the products that we reviewed are very much affordable. They really could be a worthy replacement for expensive brushes.
However, you may face some complications as the lower-priced brushes also have some drawbacks. In that case, I will suggest you go for a pricey one, of course, only if you have a generous budget. So, for the professionals, da Vinci Sable Brushes could be a worthy partner. In quality, it’s unrivaled. So, I pick it up as today’s best for consumer products.
Another brush set that caught my attention is Red Sable Filbert Paint Brushes. They could be great for beginners and professionals alike.
Anyway, the final call is yours. So, whatever decision you make, best luck with that. I hope your adventure will allow us to enjoy some best artworks; if you would like to share anything, comment below.
Choosing the Best Brush for Oil Based Paint – What you need to know
The brush is a crucial part of your art supplies. It’s like a faithful partner that will support you in every step of your painting. So, you need to pick up a good brush. A bad brush will make your experience awful. It may not return its previous shape after loading with paint. Also, it may not bend after loading with paint.
That’s not the same case with a good brush. It will always retain its shape even if it’s loaded with paint. You can rely on it to bounce back its real shape after its stroke.
Types of oil paintbrushes:
Traditionally, people use two types of oil paint brushes. They are Bristle and sable.
Bristle
Bristle hairs are from pigs. They are great in size. You can do a whole painting using a bristle brush. Anyway, they are not great for fine detail in small areas. But they can grab more paint. Bristle brushes are suitable to highlight your brushstrokes.
Sable
Sable hair is from weasel-like sable. They are sort of softer. They are also available in different fibers. Some of them are created of actual weasel hair, while others are made of synthetic, rabbit, or squirrel fibers.
Sable brushes are mainly used for fine details. Besides, they are also wonderful for smooth blending.
Anyway, there is a misconception that bristle brushes are great for oil. That’s not true. Sable brushes are equally great for oil painting. But there is a rule you must follow. Never go back and forth between watercolor and oil with the same brush. It can ruin your painting.
However, you can also find imitation hair that imitates the attributes of bristles and sables. They feature mongoose hair, horsehair, and nylon hair. They also come at a lower price than bristle and sable brushes. But you will not really find imitation hairbrushes as good as sables and bristles. That’s a fact.
Parts of an oil paintbrush:
There are three parts in every oil paintbrush: Ferrule, handle, and bristles.
Bristle
Usually, bristles are made of soft sable hair or stiff hog’s hair. They could be synthetic.
Ferrule
Ferrule holds the bristles. It also connects the bristles to the handle.
Handle
Handles are constructed of plastic or wood. They can be short or long. Traditionally, people use long handles. It allows you to stand back while you are painting. They also provide a light touch on the canvas.
Further, it also offers a lyrical effect on your precious painting. Also, the long handle balances the brush while you are painting. In short, it’s an extension of your arm rather than a tool.
Oil paintbrush shapes:
The most usual shape brushes come in rounds, bright, filberts, fan, varnish, and flats shapes.
Flats
The flat brush is long and comes in a rectangular shape. It can carry more paint than any other brush. It generates smooth edges plus sweeping strokes. Interestingly enough, it’s a versatile brush; hence, it can make a narrow stroke, a broad stroke, and a triangular stroke. This one also assists you in making thin lines. You can use it as a blending brush. Overall, it’s versatility makes your painting journey smoother.
Fan
It’s like a fan. Primarily, you can use it for blending plus subtle texture. If the paint is thin, you might have a good time with this shape. But you might have trouble with this brush if you are working with oil.
Round
The round brush is wonderful for painting details. However, do not use a round sable brush for oil painting. It might prove a nightmare for you.
Filberts
They are quite like flats brushes but with rounded sides. They are best for creating a sift edge. In fact, if we judge between flat and filbert brushes, in the case of blending, for me, filberts do a better job than flat brushes. They provide better coverage, bendability, and control.
Brights
A bright brush appears like a flat brush, but it has shorter hairs. It provides excellent control. You can create better texture with smaller bright bristle brushes. It’s good for painting things such as trees or fabric.
Varnish
The varnish brushes are soft and sable. Mainly, they are used for varnish plus retouch varnish.
Oil Paintbrush sizes:
Oil paint brushes can be in different sizes-small, medium, or large. Each size is suitable for a specific job. Large bristle brushes are very compatible with oil painting. They are excellent for washes.
Mid-size bristle brushes are best for details. But you will achieve the flawless detailed work with small, round, sable brushes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to clean oil paint brushes?
Some warm water with soap will do the trick. First of all, clean the brushes with warm soapy water. Then rinse it. However, in rough cases, you can use a solvent (paint thinner).
Can you use oil paint brushes for acrylic painting?
Yes, you can do that and vice versa.
Can you use vegetable oil to clean oil paint brushes?
Well, I never did that. But vegetable oil can be a way to clean oil paint brushes. But make sure that to pick a vegetable oil that won’t harm your painting. Use the oil that is low in viscosity.
Does oil paint ruin brushes?
Not if you do proper maintenance. I can share some tips that I do to keep my oil paint brushes clean. First, I rarely let the paint dry on the brush. Always remember you will find it easy to clean the brush while it’s wet. Second, I never leave brushes to soak for a longer period. Because too much soaking can cause bristles to bend and deform. I always clean the bristles meticulously. First of all, you can take the extra paint off with the paper. Then clean it flawlessly. Also, ensure that you clean the bristles properly, rub them if needed. After cleaning, you need to dry it. After that, you have to store it in a safe place. Some brush set comes with a case. So, you can make use of it. If your set didn’t offer you a case, you could use a jar to store the brushes. Never store your brushes bristle-down. Make sure that you do put pressure on the bristle while storing the brushes. Always store the brushes on their handles. These are my secret tips to keep my brushes protected. And these tips work like magic for me. You must try to follow these tips.
Can you clean oil paint brushes with baby oil?
Yes, you can. In fact, you can apply linseed oil, walnut oil, or mineral oil to clean oil paintbrushes. But I like the traditional way of cleaning better.
