• Natural Hog Hair Paint Brushes
• Natural Bristle Oil Paint Brushes
• Best Natural Hair Watercolor Brushes

3 Pcs Chalk Paint Wax Brush Set Natural Bristle Round Paint Brushes Furniture Paint Brushes for Furniture, Home Decor, Waxing, Glazing Pottery (20mm 25mm 30mm) 4.2 out of. Natural Hair Watercolor Brushes Blick offers a large selection of natural hair watercolor paint brushes, for every type of waterbased media and every technique. Depending on the source, natural hair can be very durable and resilient, super soft or super fine, or have excellent water-holding, paint-holding, and point-holding abilities.

These firm natural bristle brushes are perfect for high-viscosity color application and applying non-fired colors and drybrush techniques for ceramics.
*Brushes not shown at actual size

Interlock Round - R1325

Sizes Available: 0, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10

Interlock Round - R1355

Sizes Available: 0, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10

Interlock Brite - R1425

Sizes Available: 0, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10

Interlock Bristle - R1455

Sizes Available: 0, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10

Short Handle Interlock Round - R1355S

Sizes Available: 0, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10

Short Handle Interlock Bristle - R1455S

Sizes Available: 0, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10

Pure White Short Round - R355

Sizes Available: 0, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10

Bright Stain - R425

Sizes Available: 0, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10

Short Bright Stain - R455

Sizes Available: 0, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10

Bristle - Our soft fan series is the ideal brush for ceramic glaze application and color washes. The stiff fan is designed for stippling patterns and thicker crystal glaze purposes.

Soft Fan - R835

Sizes Available: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12

Short Handle Round - R355S

Sizes Available: 0, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10

Short Handle Short Bright Stain - R455S

Sizes Available: 0, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10

Sable - Our soft natural sable brushes can be used with watercolor techniques and ceramic color application. Many are also ideal for design and stroke work.

Slanted Shader - R115

Sizes Available: 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30

Shader - R125

Sizes Available: 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30

Cat's Tongue - R135

Sizes Available: 1/4', 1/2', 3/4', 1'

Detail Round - R225

Sizes Available: 3/8', 1/2', 5/8', 3/4', 1'

Script Liner - R525

Sizes Available: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Round - R625

Natural Hog Hair Paint Brushes

Sizes Available: 1/4', 3/8', 1/2', 5/8', 3/4', 1'

Luster Brush - R1001

Sizes Available: 1/4', 3/8', 1/2', 5/8', 3/4', 1', 1 1/4', 1 1/2'

Short Handle Detail - R225SH

Sizes Available: 1/4', 3/8', 1/2', 5/8', 3/4', 1', 1 1/4'

Short Handle Shader - R125S

Sizes Available: 1/4', 3/8', 1/2', 5/8', 3/4', 1'

Short Handle Flat - R125SH

Sizes Available: 1/4', 3/8', 1/2', 5/8', 3/4', 1', 1 1/4', 1 1/2'

These natural hair glaze brushes can be used for a number of ceramic applications.

Flat Translucent - R685

Sizes Available: 1/4', 3/8', 1/2', 5/8'

Ox & Black Ox Hair

Stiff Regal Glaze - R750

Sizes Available: 1/2', 3/4', 1'

Deerfoot Stippler - R660

Sizes Available: 1/8', 1/4', 3/8'

Camel

Watercolor - L11B

Sizes Available: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12

Watercolor - L14B

Sizes Available: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12

Pure Camel Hair Mop - R900

Sizes Available: 1/2', 3/4', 1'

Sabeline

Sabeline Watercolor - L666

Natural Bristle Oil Paint Brushes

Sizes Available: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20

Brush Sets

RSET-Z

Glaze 775-3/4', Bright 425-5, 1001-1-1/4', Liner 625-6, Round 225-5/0, Spoolie RD-30, Small Tool RD1

RSET-ZS

Glaze 775-3/4,' Bright 425-5, 1001-1-1/4', Liner 625-6, Round 225-5/0, Spoolie RD-30, Small Tool RD1

RSET-VL-DEL

Short Rounds 1355-1, 3, 5, 8, Short Brights 1455-1, 3, 5, 8

RSET-VS-DEL

Short Rounds 1355S-1, 3, 5, 8, Short Brights 1455S-1, 3, 5, 8

Best Natural Hair Watercolor Brushes

RSET-VL

Short Rounds 355-1, 3, 5, 8, Short Brights 455-1, 3, 5, 8

RSET-VS

Short Rounds 355S-1, 3, 5, 8, Short Brights 455S-1, 3, 5, 8

RSET-X

Mops 900-1/2', 3/4', 1'

RSET-SUPREME

Mop 900-3/4', 999-mini, Filbert 135-2, Shader 125-2, 4, Round 225-0, Angular 155-1/4'

RSET-W

Fans 825- 2, 4, 6, 8

RSET-OS

Glaze 725-3/4', Rounds 225-5/0, 0, Shaders 125-2, 6, Script 525-2, 625-6

RSET-TS

9314-Small, 660-1/4', Angular 115-1/4', Shader 125-4, Script 525-5/0, Filbert 135-2, 999-Mini

Doll Collection™

LDC-OIL

10 Blender-2, 40 Accent-10/0, 50 Lash & Blow-10/0, 60 Long Lashes-10/0, 70 Lip-2, 80 Blush-Mini

LDC-WATER

15 Blender-2, 45 Accent-10/0, 55 Lash & Blow-10/0, 65 Long Lashes-10/0, 75 Lip-2, 80 Blush-Mini

As you likely know, paint brushes come in what seems like an unlimited variety of shapes and sizes, bristle types and price. Knowing the difference between natural and synthetic bristle paint brushes will help you figure out what to choose for your next DIY project.

Natural

As the name suggests, natural bristle paint brushes are made from natural animal hair such as hog, sable and badger.

When to Use Natural Bristle Brushes

Natural bristle brushes are great when you are using:

• Oil-based paint
• Varnish
• Shellac
• Shellac-based primer
• Alkyd enamels
• Stain
• Polyurethane
• Chalk-based paint
• Milk paint
• Clay-based paint

The Good

These type of bristles actually split naturally which makes them designed to pick up, hold and distribute natural paints and can speed up painting. The soft flexibility of natural bristle brushes help to apply a thin, even layer of paint reducing streaks and distributes paint evenly. When using these brushes with natural paints (chalk/milk/clay-based) there is less chance of streaking than with synthetic brushes.

The Bad

If you are looking for precision painting, natural brushes can be difficult to use.

Natural bristle brushes also shed the first few times you use them. If you have bought a quality natural brush, the bristles should stop shedding after the second or third use.

Synthetic

Synthetic bristles are made from materials like nylon, polyester or a mix of both.

When to Use Synthetic Bristle Brushes

Synthetic bristle brushes are great when you are using:

• Water-based latex paints
• Water-based primers
• Gloss Paint
• Acrylic paint
• Water-based wood finishes

The Good

Nylon brushes are durable, excellent paint pickup, and smooth finish.

Polyester brushes maintain their shape and control which is great for detail work.

Nylon/Polyester blend brushes combine all the positive qualities and is the most popular choice.

The smooth texture and springiness of the bristles make for an even finish aand great for woodwork and furniture in water based satin,eggshell and gloss finishes.

Modern synthetic brushes are excellent and have the advantage of being cheaper than natural hair.

The Bad

Nylon brushes soften in hot weather or after a lot of use with latex paint. Brushes can lose the ability to create a smooth, precise finish.

Polyester brushes have a lower paint pick up which means you will need to reload your brush more often.

Paint with fast-drying ingredients (majority on the market right now) will stick to polyester making them harder to clean. If you look after these brushes, they’ll last for years.

What happens if you use the “wrong” bristled brush with the recommended paint?

If you try to apply latex paint with a natural-bristle brush, the bristles will absorb the water from the paint and become extremely limp, making it difficult to spread the paint smoothly.

If you try to apply chalk/clay-based paint etc. with a synthetic brush, you will likely have a lot of brushmarks and have a lot of extra work getting a smooth finish.

Not sure what size of brush to use either?

The size of the brush to use will really depend on the type of project you are tackling. Here is a short guide to help you get started. Don’t forget to read the packaging on each brush. Many manufacturers list the recommended use for their brushes.

4″ – 6″ This size would be great for painting large flat areas. I have one this size but have yet to use it!

2″ – 3″ The size I use the most! Great size for painting all types of smaller flat surfaces.

1″ – 1.5″ Perfect for more detailed smaller projects. Great for trim work on doors & walls too.

0.5” I have a ton of these small brushes for all my “crafty” projects.

Shapes

The shape of the brush can affect how easily you will be able to paint your project. A brush with a squared-off end works well for flat surfaces because it will hold plenty of paint and spread evenly. Angled brushes are for precise work on trim and corners because they allow for more control and a straighter line.

Do your really get what you pay for with a paintbrush?

As a general rule, you do get what you pay for with paintbrushes. Although I have a lot of inexpensive brushes in my workshop, I have found that I keep going back to the more expensive brush. I am currently using a Cling-On brush, which I paid $30 CND, and LOVE it because of the smooth finish I achieve.

Quality brands to check out:

• Cling-On! – synthetic bristle brushes
• Zibra – synthetic bristle brushes
• Purdy – offers both synthetic and natural bristle brushes
• Wooster – offers both synthetic and natural brushes
• Staalmeester – synthetic / natural bristle blend

Don’t forget about Prep Work!

Even the perfect paint brush isn’t a guarantee for a smooth, flawless finish. If you haven’t prep your surface properly, you will be disappointed with the final product. Do you need a refresher on what steps to take for proper prep work? Check out the blog post I wrote 7 Steps To Prep Furniture .