When choosing an oil brush, the hardness of the brush can be judged from the following aspects:
First, observe the material of the bristles
Hard bristle materials: such as pig bristles, usually have high hardness and good elasticity, making them suitable for applying thick paint, shaping textures, and creating bold brushstrokes. This type of brush performs well in thick painting techniques because they can maintain their shape under pressure and easily apply thick oil paints on the canvas.
Soft fur materials: such as mink fur, badger fur, etc., have relatively low hardness, are soft and fine, and are suitable for depicting fine details, applying smudging and overcoloring, as well as creating smooth transitions between colors.
Artificial wool materials: such as nylon, etc. Their hardness lies between that of natural hard wool and soft wool, and they feature durability and ease of cleaning. However, it should be noted that artificial wool brushes should not be soaked in water for a long time to avoid deformation of the bristles.
Second, the feeling of touching the bristles
Gently touch the bristles and feel their hardness and elasticity. The bristles of a hard-bristled brush are relatively coarse and hard, with obvious elasticity. The bristles of a soft-bristled brush are relatively soft and fine.
Third, refer to the brand and series descriptions
The hardness of oil painting brushes from different brands and series may vary. Some brands will clearly indicate the hardness grade or series name of the brushes, such as “Hard Bristle Series”, “Soft Bristle Series”, etc. You can refer to this information to choose the brush that suits your needs.
Fourth, try out the paintbrush experience
If conditions permit, you can try using brushes of different hardness levels to experience their performance in actual painting. Through actual painting, one can have a more intuitive understanding of the influence of the hardness of the brush on aspects such as brushstrokes and color expression.
Fifth, Precautions
When choosing an oil brush, in addition to hardness, factors such as the shape, size, brand and quality of the brush also need to be considered. These factors jointly affect the performance and user experience of the paintbrush.
Hardness and softness are not absolute. There may be differences in hardness among different brands and series of brushes. Therefore, when making a selection, a comprehensive consideration should be made in combination with one’s personal painting style and needs.
In summary, by observing the material of the bristles, touching the bristles to feel it, referring to the brand and series descriptions, and trying out the brush for experience, the hardness of the oil painting brush can be judged relatively accurately. When making a choice, it is recommended to comprehensively consider your own painting style and needs and select the brush that best suits you.