The last post I wrote on brushes was over ten years ago, so an update is probably in order:

My preferred brushes are hog bristle, especially at the beginning of a painting.  Of late, I’ve been using a lot of ’rounds’.

Jackson’s Art makes a great set of hog bristles.  I prefer to get the sets rather than buy them individually.

After that, I usually go with synthetics, though if you can afford them sable is the way to go.

Here’s a look at a great collection.

Text originally published in November of 2011:

  • Daler Rowney.  Odd used these.  He said they were horrible… yet in hand, they were.
  • Isabey Hog Bristle.  There were a staple brush for me in the 90’s.  Haven’t used them much recently, though I don’t really have a reason.
  • Isabey Chungking.  I think these are the new versions of the Isabey hog bristle.  Again, I remember using these often in the past.
  • Raphael Mongoose.  Good brushes, though time for new ones.  The ones you see are worn out!
  • Tintoretto Pelo di Bue.  Have not used them much, but they look good.
  • Tintoretto Synthetic “Mangusta.”  Excellent synthetic brushes, both filberts and rounds.
  • W&N Galeraia.  Not sure yet what I think of these…
  • W&N Monarch Synthetic.  Another good synthetic.
  • JF Pelo di Bue.  The work-horse brush.  I use these often!
  • JF Multi-Use Hog Bristle.  Another work-horse.  Another I use often.