Are you wondering how to choose the perfect paintbrush for use with oil-based paints? Not all paintbrushes are created equal and not every brush is suitable for every type of paint. It is always a good move to invest in the best quality brushes that you can afford if you want to have a real masterpiece on your hands.
Distinct kinds of paintbrushes are available in a wide variety of shapes. The two crucial factors that you should never neglect while shopping for paintbrushes are shape and spring resiliency. A good brush will have a certain amount of spring to respond well while you make a stroke. A higher-quality brush will retain its shape and its hairs wouldn’t spread much after use.
What are the best paint brushes for oil-based paint? Hog bristle and sable are noticeably different brushes but both are great for oil-based paint. Hog’s hair bristles are stiffer and more suitable for emphasizing each large stroke, while sable brushes are softer and work best for smooth blending and capturing finer details.
Sable brushes are soft and made from weasel, rabbit, or squirrel hair. Some are even made from synthetic fibers. These are suitable for smoother blending and for capturing finer details. You can also choose from fan, round, flat, bright, and filbert while painting with oil-based paints.
However, synthetic bristles are no without their own merit, as they tend to last longer and shed less. They are also a vegan-friendly option.
Choosing the right brush makes a lot of difference in the final outcome of any painting project. We carried out thorough research on the paintbrushes suitable for use with oil-based paint and have reviewed the 5 best brushes that you can choose for your next paint job.
Best Paintbrushes for Oil-Based Paint
Brushes and rollers for oil-based paint require a lot more thought than just size and cost. It’s important to consider such important criteria as durability, non-shedding bristles, and how long the brush will last. We’ve kept this and more in mind when searching for the best paintbrushes below.
Rank | Product | Key Features |
1. | Bosobo Paint Brushes Set | 20 pieces, synthetic bristles, non-shedding |
2. | Conda Paint Brushes Set | 24 pieces, nylon, long-lasting, easy to clean |
3. | Mont Marte Premium Paint Brush Set | 15 pieces, hog bristle and taklon |
4. | Crafts 4 All Professional Paint Brushes | 12 pieces, nylon bristles, wood handles |
5. | Eboot Store Detail Paint Brushes Set | 5 pieces, small-tipped for precise detailing |
1. Bosobo Paint Brushes Set
This pack of art brushes is comprised of a 2 pack of 10 different professional paintbrushes featuring a variety of shapes. This means you’ll receive 20 pieces in total.
These make it convenient to mix colors and are perfect for amateurs, seasoned artists, students, and children alike.
Bosobo paintbrushes would make perfect presents for friends who love painting. This all-purpose brush set comes with a nice combination of tips for the purpose of adding varied strokes and small details.
These are quite versatile and permit you to do fine detailing with precision. This set works well with gouache, enamel, acrylic, watercolor, and oil paints.
If you are into face or body painting, then you will find this set extremely beneficial. This paint set is an example of superior craftsmanship. These artist quality brushes have been designed with synthetic, durable bristles. The ferrules are rustproof and the handles have been carved from sturdy wood.
As the set has been handcrafted and double crimped, you will experience no loose bristles or flaking paint. These brushes are intended for long time use.
If you were looking for something easy to maintain to add to your collection, then these fine-tip paint brushes will exceed your expectations. These are convenient to clean with warm soapy water as well as easy to reshape with your fingertips.
Pros
- Consists of brushes of a variety of sizes and shapes
- Designed to meet the requirements of professional artists and amateurs
- Nickle ferrules wouldn’t split or rust
- Ferrules double-crimped to last longer
- Brushes don’t shed their hair
- Bristles return to their shape after each stroke
- Short wooden handles promise a smooth finish
- Easier to clean
- Bristles remain soft and flexible after each cleaning
- Suitable for enamel, gouache, watercolor, acrylic, oil painting, gesso painting, and more
- Can also be used for body art painting, face painting, and in nail arts
Cons
- Synthetic bristles may not produce the same effect as hog’s hair or sable bristles, but they are vegan-friendly and less likely to shed as well as easier to maintain
- Have to be cleaned in water quickly soon after use else they will stiffen up
2. Conda Paint Brushes Set
If you want to invest in a brush set that you can reuse again and again, then this paintbrush set would certainly live up to your expectations.
These long-lasting brushes are easy to clean and have the exceptional ability to get the job done quickly while leaving a superior finish.
This set has been made for use with acrylics, watercolors, oil paints, and other hobbies and craftwork. You can also use this set while making wall art, doing touch up work, decorations, and collages. This artist’s paintbrush covers a wide range of features.
The bristles are nylon and the handle has been carved from wood. These brushes have been designed for offering control and comfort. These are also easy to hold and are lightweight. The handle promises superior control, thereby promising exceptional results.
You can carry this quality paint set wherever you go. A canvas case comes free with these brushes to protect them when not in use. The package includes 24 pieces of brushes ranging from miniature to chip brush.
Pros
- Set of 24 includes brushes of all-purpose, mop, bright, large angle, flat tip, fan, rigger, filbert, and medium angle brushes
- Easy to clean
- Have been designed to be long-lasting
- Exceptional ability to get the task done quickly
- Offers superior finish
- Wooden handle brushes are easy to hold and lightweight
- Offer comfort for long and tedious jobs
- Come with a free canvas case to protect brushes and prevent fall down
- Synthetic nylon filament blend designed to hold more paint
- Filaments are durable and long-lasting
- Can withstand multiple washes
- Suitable for both beginners and professionals
Cons
- Nylon bristles may not produce the same effect as hog’s hair or sable bristles, but they are vegan-friendly and less likely to shed as well as easier to maintain
- Brushes stain lightly after use
3. Mont Marte Premium Paint Brush Set
This premium paint set would make a perfect present for the artists in your life. It consists of 15 different brushes of premium quality.
The brush wallet comes with a magnetic lock that secures the brushes, making the set easier to carry around. This set is suitable for tempera, oil, gouache, acrylic, and watercolor painting.
The brushes feature an innovative and durable mix of hog bristles and taklon. You can keep the brushes organized in the wallet set. This kit features a range of sizes and styles that are perfect for use with a variety of paint mediums.
When not in use, the handy wallet will protect your brushes and keep them in good condition. Whether you are an art student or a seasoned artist, you will love using this paintbrush set.
Pros
- The paintbrush set comes with a brush wallet with a magnetic lock
- Consists of 15 premium quality brushes
- Suitable for oil, tempera, watercolor, acrylic, and gouache painting
- Bristles made from hog hair and taklon
- Suitable for use with a variety of paint mediums
- Suitable for both professional artists and for beginners
- Easy to use and comfortable to hold
- Works well with each stroke
- No loss of bristles
Cons
- These have a slight chemical odor that may not appeal to everyone
4. Crafts 4 All Professional Paint Brushes
This full set consists of brushes of all shapes and sizes. You will find brushes with a small, medium, or large thickness. You will also get flat, round, angular, filbert, and round sharp tip brushes that can complement any palette.
Made from flexible and soft hair, these paintbrushes feature double crimped aluminum ferrules, which keeps the bristles from loosening and the handle from wiggling.
The durable wooden handle carved for comfort and stability creates a secure grip and offers precise control to the artist.
These paint brushes are ideal for face painting, body painting, ceramics, miniatures, acrylic paints, oil paints, and watercolor paints. These are suitable for kids, beginners, and seasoned artists. It comes with 12 brushes and is quite versatile and easy to clean. Just run the brushes under warm water to clean and reshape them with your fingers.
Pros
- Several sizes, shapes, and thicknesses
- Suitable for detailing and for large coats
- Designed for versatility
- Made from flexible soft hair
- Feature double-crimped aluminum ferrules
- Works well with all paint types
- Can be used for other craftwork such as face and body painting
- Ideal for any skill level
- Easy to clean and feels comfortable to work with
- Promise optimum control to the artists
Cons
- Water leaves stains on the body over time
- Nylon bristles may not produce the same effect as hog’s hair or sable bristles, but they are vegan-friendly and less likely to shed as well as easier to maintain
5. Eboot Store Detail Paint Brushes Set
This detail brush set consists of assorted sizes to meet the needs of the artist. The paintbrush tips are soft and flexible.
These are sturdy but not suitable for blending, as they are small-tipped brushes made for detailing and lining. There is also no issue of strands leaking out in this paintbrush set.
These come encased in protective tubes that come handy while shaping them after cleaning. The easy-grip handles make you feel comfortable while working with these brushes. The handle has been designed from wood in an easy-grip triangular shape.
These sturdy miniature brushes have wide applications and are suitable for detailing and face painting. These work best with watercolors, acrylic, and oil paint mediums.
Key Features
- Sturdy fine-tipped miniature brushes suitable for fine detailing
- Assorted sizes included in the set for meeting different needs
- Not easy to split or bend
- Comes with a well-polished wooden handle
- Comfortable to hold
Pros
- The ergonomic triangular handle ensures complete control
- Soft and anti0shedding bristles
- Trimmed and shaped neatly
- A durable metal joint ensures that the handle doesn’t wiggle even after long use
- Easy to clean and reshape
Cons
- Not suitable for blending
- Nylon bristles may not produce the same effect as hog’s hair or sable bristles, but they are vegan-friendly and less likely to shed as well as easier to maintain
Related Questions
Can These Be Used for Touchups and Working on Edges of Wood Paneling?
These brushes are really useful and come in handy in case you want to use these for touchups. However, you’ll need to make sure they are suitable for the kind of paint medium that you would be using.
Are These Brushes Real or Synthetic?
Some brushes have synthetic bristles whereas a few have real hog’s hair. You can check the manufacturer’s label to learn what the bristles are made up of.
Up Next: The Best Varnish For Oil Painting