For every artist, choosing the right brush can be the difference between a masterpiece and a missed opportunity. With so many options out there, Trekell makes it easier by offering handcrafted, professional-grade brushes in a wide range of shapes, fibers, and finishes, so you can focus on the art, not the guesswork. Whether you’re new to painting or fine-tuning your brush roll, this guide will help you navigate the essentials and discover Trekell brushes that match your style.

Brush Shapes: Understanding The Basics

Trekell offers each of these brush shapes across multiple lines, so you can match shape with feel, responsiveness, and medium. Here's what each shape is best at:

1. Round Brushes:
Versatile and adaptable, these are the go-to brushes for many artists. Their pointed tip and large belly allow for both fine lines and wide strokes.

2. Flat Brushes:
Characterized by a flat, squared tip, these brushes are perfect for bold strokes, filling large areas, and even varnishing.

3. Bright Brushes:
Resembling the flat brushes but with shorter bristles, bright brushes offer more control, making them perfect for thick, controlled strokes.

4. Filbert Brushes:
Marrying the features of round and flat brushes, filberts are ideal for blending and offer soft rounded edges, making them a favorite for figurative work.

5. Angle Brushes:
Their slanted or angled tip allows these brushes to excel in precise line work, filling tight corners, and crafting controlled curves.

6. Fan Brushes:
A must-have for blending, smoothing, and feathering. Artists also turn to fan brushes to create unique textural effects.

7. Liner Brushes:
Tailored for intricate detailing, these brushes are long and thin, enabling artists to paint fine lines with precision. Especially cherished for pen and ink illustrations or delicate paintwork.

8. Grainer Brushes:
Unique in design and function, grainers help artists achieve detailed textures like fur, hair, and more, by creating multiple lines simultaneously.

9. Rigger Brushes:
With their origin in maritime art for painting ship riggings, rigger brushes possess long, thin bristles. They are indispensable for crafting long, flowing lines and detailed scripts.

10. Dagger Brushes:
Characterized by a sleek, tapered edge, dagger brushes are versatile, allowing for both sweeping strokes and precise detailing, perfect for creating petal shapes and leaves.

11. Cat's Tongue Brushes:
Featuring a pointed tip and flat body, they're aptly named for their unique shape. Excellent for detailing and creating washes, they can be particularly effective in portraiture.

12. Wash Brushes:
These brushes are designed with a wide base, perfect for covering large areas quickly. They hold a substantial amount of paint, allowing artists to create broad strokes and seamless washes.

Fibers: What's Your Brush Made Of?

Trekell offers brushes in a variety of high-performance bristle types so you can match feel and function to your technique.

Natural Hair:

• Hog Bristle: Naturally stiff with flagged tips. Found in our Hog Bristle line, ideal for oil painting with texture and control.
  
  
  

Synthetic Fibers:

Taklon: Used in our Golden Taklon and Crimson Taklon lines. Smooth and responsive, great for acrylic, oil, and watercolor.

Nylon Blends: Found in our Legion and Spectrum lines, designed for durability and versatility.

Synthetic Sable, Hog, Mongoose, and Squirrel: Trekell offers synthetic alternatives that mimic the characteristics of natural hairs in lines like Sienna (red sable), Opal (hog), Legion (mongoose), and Onyx (squirrel).

Matching The Brush With The Medium:

• Oil Brushes: For the rich, buttery texture of oil paint, artists often reach for brushes with firm bristles that can move paint with intention. Trekell’s Hog Bristle and Opal lines offer excellent control and texture, while softer synthetics like the Sienna or Spectrum lines are perfect for smooth blending and fine detail, depending on your painting style.

• Acrylic Brushes: Acrylics dry fast and demand brushes that can keep up. Trekell’s Crimson Taklon and Legion lines are durable, responsive, and built to handle quick layers and bold moves. For smoother applications, the Spectrum and Golden Taklon brushes offer a more fluid, even finish.

• Watercolor Brushes: For delicate washes and fluid detail, Trekell’s Onyx brushes, designed to mimic squirrel hair, excel in softness and water retention. Artists also love the Golden Taklon and Protege lines for their sable-like snap and versatility in both controlled strokes and flowing gradients.

The Trekell Touch

Choosing a brush is choosing your tool of expression. At Trekell, we craft every brush with the artist in mind, so whether you're building your first set or refining your professional toolkit, you're choosing quality that supports your vision.

Looking for the perfect brush for your technique? Explore Trekell’s brush collections and discover the tools that feel like an extension of your hand.