How do you choose the right brush for you and once you have a nice set of brushes, how do you look after them? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to choose and clean your acrylic brushes.

Types of acrylic brushes

Here are the main brush types you'll encounter, what they look like, and when to use them:

Flat brush

Daler-Rowney System3 flat

Shape: Square tip, long or short bristles

Best for: Bold strokes, filling in large areas, washes, or sharp edges

Size to start with: 1” and a smaller one like 1/4”

Beginners tip: Turn it sideways for thin lines!

Round brush

Daler-Rowney System3 round

Shape: Pointy tip, round body

Best for: Detail work, outlines, sketching, and controlled lines

Size to start with: #2 and #6

Beginners tip: Press lightly for thin lines, harder for thick!

Filbert brush

Daler-Rowney System3 filbert

Shape: Flat but with rounded edges like a cat’s tongue

Best for: Soft edges, blending, petals, and leaves

Size to start with: Medium (#8 or #10)

Beginners tip: Great for more organic, natural shapes

Fan brush

Daler-Rowney System3 fan brush

Shape: Bristles fanned out like a spread hand

Best for: Textures like grass, fur, trees, clouds

Size to start with: One medium fan brush

Beginners tip: Use a light sweeping motion for cool effects.

Angle brush (angular flat)

Daler-Rowney System3 angle shader

Shape: Slanted edge

Best for: Tight corners, edges, curved strokes

Size to start with: Medium

Beginners tip: Great for lettering and tricky corners

Detail (liner) brush

Daler-Rowney System3 liner

Shape: Long, thin bristles

Best for: Fine lines, lettering, tiny details, highlights

Size to start with: #0 or #1

Beginners tip: Add a drop of water to acrylic for smoother lines

4 quick tips before you start painting

1. Test your brush on scrap paper to feel how it moves
2. Use bigger brushes for large areas, small brushes for small ones
3. Don’t overload your brush, dip only 1/3 of the way in paint
4. Experiment! The best way to learn is to just try stuff

Brush care 101

Acrylics dry fast, and once they dry on your brush, it’s hard to save it. Here's how to care for them:

• Rinse often – swish your brush in water every few minutes while painting.
• Clean with mild soap after each session (gentle dish soap or brush cleaner) – see our guide below
• Dry upright or flat, don’t store them brush-side down in water
• Never leave acrylic paint to dry on your brush, that’s how brushes die

How to clean your acrylic paintbrushes 

This guide walks you through everything you need to know to clean your acrylic brushes properly.

Whether you’ve bought a fancy set or a budget beginner bundle, good brush care gives you long-term tools, not single-use throwaways. Tempting as it is to leave the cleaning for later, every acrylic painter knows: Acrylic paint dries fast. And once it sets, it becomes a plastic like film that’s nearly impossible to remove. But with a few simple habits, you can keep your brushes in top condition, lasting you years instead of weeks.

Why cleaning acrylic brushes is so important

Acrylic paint is water-based when wet but becomes waterproof when dry. If it dries on your brush:

• Bristles become too stiff to use
• Paint builds up at the ferrule (the metal bit), causing splaying
• The brush loses its shape and performance
• You’ll be buying replacements sooner than you’d like!

Prepare for easy cleanup

• Use one water jar for washing and one for clean water
• Keep paper towels or a rag nearby for blotting
• Avoid leaving brushes standing in water, it bends the bristles
• Pro tip: Wet your brush before you dip into paint, to prevent pigment from drying too deep in the bristles.
• Rinse regularly - swirl your brush in water when switching colours or taking breaks
• Wipe excess paint - dab on a paper towel before rinsing, it reduces water contamination
• Don’t let paint dry - keep brushes moist if you’re pausing or switching tools.

6 top tips on cleaning your acrylic brushes

1. Rinse thoroughly in lukewarm water (not hot, it can damage synthetic bristles)
2. Gently work in a small amount of hand soap, brush cleaner, or baby shampoo. Swirl the brush in your palm or on a silicone cleaning mat
3. Work from bristle to ferrule - focus on pushing paint out from deep in the bristles, not just the tip. Avoid pushing against the bristles too hard; be gentle!
4. Rinse until the water runs clear
5. Use your fingers to reshape the tip or edge
6. Dry flat or upside down in a brush holder to avoid moisture collecting in the ferrule

If you're new to acrylics, don't stop here! Explore our other beginner-friendly guides to learn all you need to progress and develop your acrylic skills.

Acrylic brush care do's and don'ts

• DO: Clean brushes immediately after use
• DO: Store brushes upright or flat (never bristle-down)
• DO: Use separate brushes for heavy mediums or glue
• DON’T: Let paint dry on the bristles
• DON’T: Leave brushes sitting in water for long periods
• DON’T: Use harsh chemicals like white spirit or acetone, they’ll destroy acrylic brushes

What if the paint has dried on the brush?

• Try soaking it in warm water with brush soap or fabric softener for a few hours
• Use a brush comb or fingernail to loosen the paint
• If it's still stiff, cut your losses. Keep it as a texture brush or for messy techniques!

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