Round, flat, filbert, liner, fan, angled — what does each artist brush do?
Round brushes draw lines and fill small areas. Flat brushes lay in blocks of colour and cut hard edges. Filberts blend and soften. Liners draw fine continuous lines. Fans feather texture. Angled brushes cut in to edges and corners.
Round
A round brush comes to a point when loaded and spreads when pressed. That range makes it the most versatile shape: line work, small fills, and detail all from one brush. Sizes are quoted by the diameter of the ferrule.
Flat and bright
A flat has square edges and a straight end; a bright is the same shape with shorter hair, which makes it stiffer. Both lay down flat blocks of colour and cut a clean edge. They are the standard for oil and acrylic underpainting.
Filbert
A filbert is flat with an oval end. It blends edges and lays soft strokes without a hard line, which makes it the usual choice for skin tones and foliage.
Liner, fan and angled
Liners are long and thin for continuous fine lines. Fans spread colour into streaks for grass, hair and texture. Angled brushes reach into corners and cut in along an edge. Most ranges combine these with rounds and flats rather than selling them alone.
Common questions
What is the difference between a flat and a bright?
Both are square-ended. A bright has shorter hair relative to its width, so it is stiffer and springs back faster.
Which brush is best for beginners?
A round in a mid size plus a flat in a mid size covers most exercises. Filberts and liners are usually added later.