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There’s a variety of different visual art forms that students can create with just a brush and paint. However, that variety is largely dependent on the types of brushes (and other art materials) that you’re able to provide. Obviously, there are many different types of brushes that can produce a variety of effects and choosing the right variety for your art classroom will lead to discovery, creativity and inspiration on the part of your students. When picking out brushes for your classroom, consider material, technique and shape.
Brushes made of badger, bristle, squirrel and sable all are traditionally used for specific types of painting, but they are usually more expensive than the commonly used synthentic. For students, the use of synthentic brushes will provide the most versatile uses and would be a great value, especially for beginners who may not know how to take care of the natural hair found in the more traditional types of brushes.
Getting a variety of sizes may be the most economical option for gathering an excellent amount of art supplies. Angular brushes are valuable for both the precise strokes they can make, as well as lines and curves when using thicker media. Bright brushes are often used for short, strokes, especially when creating large-scale textures. Another brush that is excellent for texture work is the fan brush. Flat brushes are among the most popular and is very versatile – it can be used for both fine lines and for broad strokes. Highliners and script/liners are used for detail work which includes lettering and delicate strokes. Having access to an oval wash brush is important for students who are learning the value of different brushes. Its soft edges make it perfect for layering and smoothing out paint to create soft textures. The square wash can also serve this purpose although it isn’t as good at blending different layers together.
