The right choice of paintbrush is essential for artists wanting to create the finest results in their artwork. An artist's paintbrush is comprised of four parts: bristles, ferrule, crimp and handle. The bristles are the hair on the brush, and may be natural, synthetic or a combination of the two. 

The ferrule is the metal joining the bristles to the handle, and the crimp is the part of the ferrule where it is secured to the handle. The handle is the area of the paintbrush the artist holds, and is usually made of wood or acrylic. The size and shape of the bristles determine the effect and style each type of paintbrush can achieve. A wide, flat brush is designed for painting large areas, whereas a small, tapered brush is ideal for fine, detailed work.
Designed specifically for artists working with Acrylic Colour, the Pro Arte Acrylix 202 Round Brush features synthetic bristles, offering good spring and great pointing adaptability. The short, lacquered handle ensures optimum control for precision detail.
What is a round brush?
A round brush has a circular ferrule, the shape of which may be viewed by looking straight down the brush. A round brush usually has long bristles, which come to a pointed tip.
When should a round brush be used?
A round brush is ideal for filling in small areas, controlled washes and detailed work. Using a round brush, the artist is able to create lines of varying thicknesses, depending on the amount of pressure exerted.  This is due to the brush’s thin tip becoming wider the more the brush is pressed down.
Which are best, hog or synthetic brushes?
Hog and synthetic brushes have different qualities which should be taken into account, alongside the desired effect the artist wishes to create. Synthetic brushes are particularly suitable for paint that has been diluted, with either water or solvent, as the hairs remain strong and durable. Synthetic hairs give a much softer, less textured effect, enabling the artist to create fine detail if required.
Hog bristles have long been used in the manufacture of paintbrushes, as they are extremely resilient and flexible. Each individual bristle has a broad, sturdy base and a tapered tip, which splits into several fine filaments, giving an excellent capacity for holding paint. The stiffness of hog bristles provides good flow and texture, ease of blending, and ensures even application.
Why use a Pro Arte Acrylix 202 Round Brush?
Available in 15 sizes from 000 to 16, there is a Pro Arte Acrylix 202 Round Brush to meet all artists’ requirements. Developed for use with Acrylic Colour, this brush is also ideal for working with Oil Colour.
What do the size numbers mean?
The size of a brush is indicated by a number printed on the handle, and refers to the width of the ferrule. A higher number means a wider brush. It should be noted that consistency between brush manufacturers, when calculating brush size, can vary. Therefore, a size 10 brush in one brand may not be the same as a size 10 in another brand. In some instances, there may also be size variations between a manufacturer’s different ranges.
How should I care for my Pro Arte Acrylix 202 Round Brush?
It is important to clean brushes thoroughly to prevent bristles losing their interlocking quality, and standing apart. Particular attention should be paid to the edge of the ferrule, where dried paint can become embedded, and result in bristle breakage.
The methods for cleaning brushes differ, depending on the type of paint used. The following videos show how to clean brushes according to the paint used:
Cleaning Acrylic Paint Brushes
Cleaning Oil Paint Brushes
To help preserve the condition of the bristles, a specialist brush cleaner may also be used.
When storing brushes for any length of time, care should be taken to ensure they are clean and absolutely dry, to prevent mildew developing. Keeping brushes in a box, with a tight-fitting lid, guards against both mildew and moth damage