Best Acrylic Paint Brushes for Canvas

Acrylic paint is usually preferred by artists and hobbyists for the versatility it offers. Perfect to use on any medium such as glass, ceramic, fabric, stone, metal or wood, acrylic paints work especially very well on canvas. However, to create stunning artwork on canvas using acrylic paints, you need good, high-quality paint brushes.

Soucolor Acrylic Paint Brushes Set Review

Best Acrylic Paint Brushes for Canvas

Made of nylon filament bristles, the Soucolor Acrylic Paint Brushes are superior-quality brushes. The bristles of the brushes are designed to hold the paint well and release it uniformly when you’re using it. The brushes are equipped with short wooden handles that are ergonomically shaped, offering a comfortable grip and better control over your strokes.

The brushes have sturdy nickel ferrules, which are double crimped, holding the bristles in place securely. The brushes are very easy to clean and air-dry very quickly. The brush set (2 sets) includes 2 filberts, 3 flat, 2 liners and 4 round brushes and it comes at a very affordable price.

Pros
  • Very good quality.
  • Easy to clean.
  • Hold the color very well.
  • Inexpensive.
  • Value for money buy.
Cons
  • May not be very good for professional use.
  • Not very long-lasting.

Buying Guide

Best Acrylic Paint Brushes for Canvas

When buying acrylic paint brushes for use on canvas, you may be quite confused. Here are a few factors that you should consider when shopping for your brushes.

Brush Shape

When purchasing acrylic paint brushes, you must decide what shape brushes you want. Typically, there are 8 different brush shapes—round, pointed round, flat, bright, filbert, angular flat, detail round and fan and each one of them serves a different purpose.

If you’re just getting started, then instead of buying all the brushes, you can simply consider getting a round, detail round and flat brush. Another option is to purchase a brush set that includes all the shapes.

Size

Paint brushes come in different diameters, widths and lengths and their size is denoted by a number. You must choose the brush size according to what you will be using it for.

Number 0-6: These small-size brushes are good for detailed work.

Number 6-14: These mid-sized brushes are universal brushes suitable for coloring areas, underpainting and detailing.

Number 14+: These brushes are good for washes and painting large areas.

Handle Size

Typically, brushes featuring long handles are best for easel painting, when you’re painting from a distance. Whereas, brushes with short handles are ideal for painting on flat surfaces, such as a table, especially when you’re using watercolors.

Type of Bristles

Paint brushes come with 2 types of bristles—natural and synthetic.

Natural Bristles: These are generally not recommended for use with acrylic paints as over time, the acrylic paint can damage the bristles. Natural bristle brushes are quite expensive and are better for oil painting.

Synthetic Bristles: Generally made from polyester, nylon or taklon, synthetic bristles are of 2 types—stiff and soft. Synthetic bristle brushes are a better choice for use with acrylic paints and are easier to clean. Moreover, synthetic bristles are better for beginners as they allow more controlled brushstrokes.

FAQs

Best Acrylic Paint Brushes for Canvas
Can I clean acrylic paint from the paintbrush?

Yes, you can remove acrylic paint from paint brushes by cleaning immediately using warm, soapy water and then you should rinse them with clean water.

Should I wet the brush before using it with acrylic paint?

It is always a good idea to wet your paintbrush first before dipping it into the acrylic paint. Adding a little bit of water to your wet paintbrush and mixing it allows the acrylic paint to flow more smoothly.

What is the life of acrylic paint brushes?

In general acrylic paint brushes can last for 1-2 years; however, how long they will last depends on the quality of the paintbrushes, your frequency of painting and how well you clean and take care of the brushes after using them.

Can I do acrylic painting with watercolor brushes?

Yes, most paint brushes available on the market are versatile and can be used for watercolors, as well as acrylic painting. However, most often, artists use natural hair bristle brushes for watercolors and synthetic bristle brushes for acrylic painting. Nevertheless, it is possible to use the same brush for both media.