The pinceau de peintre brush is the instrument that allows an artist to pour his or her imagination onto a canvas and create mesmerizing art. It’s a magic wand that most artists can’t imagine being without. Leonardo da Vinci used round brushes of animal hair tied to wood, as did Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt, among others.

The handle of a brush is often made from wood, but it can be from molded plastic or any other material that can comfortably fit in the hand. Often the handle will be sealed or lacquered to reduce soiling and swelling. The bristles may be natural, or a synthetic mixture of polyester and nylon. If the bristles are natural, they can be hog or squirrel hair or even badger. They are usually long, and may be straight or tapered to a fine point.

Drawing on Canvas: Choosing the Perfect Surface for Your Artistic Vision

Flat brush bristles can be short, or they may be longer, depending on how much paint the brush is designed to hold. For example, a small-size flat with short, synthetic-bristle hairs will only carry a little paint, while a larger size will have longer bristles that are able to pick up more. The shape of a brush’s tip can also determine the type of marks it will make.

A round brush has a pointed tip, and long closely arranged bristles that are very fine for detail. A flat brush has a broad, flat tip and is typically used for spreading paint across a surface quickly and evenly. A filbert has a rounded, tapering tip and is ideal for creating fine lines that can vary in thickness.