Depending on the size canvas & what I am painting brush size changes of course, but I find myself more comfortable with smaller brushes & that’s exactly why I get too much detail! One of these days I’ll figure it out but may use a small brush to do less detail…LOL…I’m not sure why I don’t care for larger brushes, maybe I haven’t enough practive controlling them… :wink2:

A #8 filbert is about as large as I care for.

Cathleen~

[FONT=Times New Roman]~Be COURAGEOUS, It's one of the few places left still uncrowded~

[FONT=Times New Roman]~Life is not measured by it's length BUT by it's depth~

I use large and small, depending on what I’m working on. I’d advise any newcomer to oils to use large though. I painted with one of the best Landscape Artists in Southern Africa for a few years. He used the largest round brush ever. It tapered to a fine point with which he managed to paint the most amazing detail. I was always amazed watching him. I’ve tried to do the same myself, but always end up reaching for a smaller brush.

~ Lorraine ~

My brush size is mainly in proportion to the size of the canvas among other things. I do find the smaller the brush the “tighter” my painting.
Judy

Greetings and Blessings All
I use both big and small. I like to experiment with the brush to see what type of stroke. I sometimes let the brush stroke dictate instead of drawing with the brush. Depending on the area, the subject, if there is detail, I vary my brushes. I try not to be confined to any one brush, even thou I have my favourites.
Blessings to all
and a special hello to Miss Cathleen (artbabe) “I’m back” I hope
Miss Vicky

I read a book by a student of Bouguereau. He said to use the largest brush that is small enough to do the job. A photo of Bouguereau showed him with a lot of brushes that looked like about 1/2″ wide and smaller.

I think the idea of using huge brushes, huge canvases, and loose painting is more of a modern art thing, and I utterly reject anything coming from them.

I read a book by a student of Bouguereau. He said to use the largest brush that is small enough to do the job. A photo of Bouguereau showed him with a lot of brushes that looked like about 1/2″ wide and smaller.

I think the idea of using huge brushes, huge canvases, and loose painting is more of a modern art thing, and I utterly reject anything coming from them.

You need to visit more art galleries, see more pre-20thC paintings in real life, and look at the brushwork!

Dave

Aw, come on people, it’s not the size, it’s how you use it!

I personally only have one brush, since I’m still working out of my cheesy oil gift set that I got for Christmas, which came with one brush. It’s about 1/3″, stained, a little crispy, and on death’s doorstep. I’m thinking of replacing it with something exactly like it. I, like my neurotic Jack Russell, am very reluctant to try something new.