(Excerpts from ART HARDWARE: The Definitive Guide to Artists’ Materials, by Steven Saitzyk © 1987)

The following recommendations are made without mention of quality, and are intended only as a guide.

WESTERN WATERCOLOR BRUSHES

Basic Assortment

One standard watercolor round, size 7 or larger. One watercolor flat, ³/s inch or larger.

One watercolor mop, twice the size of the standard round or larger.

General Purpose Assortment

Two standard watercolor rounds, one between sizes 5 and 7, and one between sizes 10 and 12.

Two watercolor flats, ¹/2 inch and 1 inch.

One squirrel round, between sizes 10 and 14.

One watercolor mop that is at least twice the size of the larger standard watercolor round brush.

For greater detail add:

One designers' round quill, English size between 4 and 8 (or between 2 and 2/0 in French sizing where 8 is the smallest and 6/0 the largest). One spotting brush, between sizes 4 and 8.

For a softer look add:

One oval wash brush, ³/4 inch.

One hake brush, between 2 and 3 inches.

One one-stroke lettering flat, between I and 1'/a inches.

OIL AND ACRYLIC BRUSHES

There are too many variables, such as the size of the intended painting and the painting style to be used, to give specific recommendations. As for general recommendations, bristle is best if a more textured or an impressionistic appearance is desired. Sable or sablelike brushes are best if a smoother or a more detailed appearance is sought.

ORIENTAL CALLIGRAPHY (SUMI) BRUSHES

There are countless styles in Oriental calligraphy, and brush selection would depend on which style one intends to follow. However, if you wish to begin without formal training and are interested in Japanese calligraphy, you may begin by selecting a round brush made with long sheep or goat hair. This brush is commonly recognized by a thin black stripe around the bamboo handle near where the hairs are inserted.

If a Chinese style of calligraphy is desired, select a Chinese weasel brush of a medium size.

ORIENTAL PAINTING (SUMI-E) BRUSHES

Oriental painting technique is derived from calligraphy and, like calligraphy, has many styles. Its nature is less esoteric for Westerners and specific recommendations are more easily made.

JAPANESE PAINTING BRUSHES

Basic Assortment

One basic painting brush like chorvu, or seirvu,in a medium or large size. One smaller and different-style basic painting brush such as gyokuran, or maruvama, in a small size.

One detail brush, such as menso, in a medium to large size. One hake brush about 2 inches wide.

For a general-purpose assortment add:

One coloring brush like saishiki in a small or medium size. One shading brush like kumadori in a small to medium size.

One extra-small detail brush like those made of cat hair in small to medium size.

CHINESE PAINTING BRUSHES

Basic Assortment

A set of three weasel brushes-small, medium, and large. If cost or availability is a problem, one large weasel brush will suffice. One hake brush around 2 inches.

For a more general assortment add:

One rabbit hair brush in large to extra-large size. If not available you may substitute a brush like gvokuran.

One extra-long-hair brush made of sheep. You may substitute a long-hair sheep calligraphy brush.

(Excerpts from ART HARDWARE: The Definitive Guide to Artists’ Materials, by Steven Saitzyk © 1987)

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Last modified: 02/17/08