Professional Oil Paint Brushes on a Budget
If you're looking for professional quality paint brushes without spending a fortune, there are some great options available.
Synthetic brushes are a good choice for those on a budget, as they provide excellent durability and performance.
Natural bristle brushes may be more expensive, but they are great for oil based paints, varnishes, shellacs, and other finishes.
Natural bristles develop splits in the tip (flagging) giving you a smoother application of the paint and thus fewer brush strokes.
So, don't let expensive brushes keep you from starting your dream painting
How We Choose It
We pick our Top 3 options taking into consideration their reviews and cost/benefit and we display them for you as a "virtual podium" where GOLD is our favorite pick, SILVER is the second favorite, and BRONZE is our third option
It's hard to find the best oil paint brush set because there are so many options available. With so many different types of brushes, materials, and brands to choose from, it can be hard to know which set is right for you.
We did the hard work for you and read through thousands of reviews on Amazon to find the best oil paint brush set.
We have select 3 amazing professional oil brush sets under $40
D'Artisan Shoppe Professional Oil Paint Brushes 15 pcs
4 natural hog hair bristle brushes and 11 synthetic bristle brushes
D'Artisan Shoppe
GOLD: Our Favorite Pick
This ergonomically designed long handled paint brush set includes 15 paint brushes including 4 flat paint brushes, 1 fan brush, 3 round brushes, 4 filbert brushes, 1 angle brush, 1 rigger brush, and 1 wide brush so you can paint in every style you want.
No loose hairs or paint flaking off of these art brushes, so you enjoy being in the painting zone with these paint brushes instead of picking paint brush hairs or flakes out of your work.
This brush set can be used for oil paints, acrylic paints and even water color paints; these brushes are also very versatile as there a mix of 4 natural hog hair bristle brushes and 11 synthetic bristle brushes to create the brush strokes you need.
These professional high quality paint brushes are custom designed to last longer with better components, therefore you don't have to pick out debris from your paintings and your brushes don't fall apart.
You will spend less time washing these brushes, the paint brushes will not peel or shed, and that gives you more time to paint
BONUS - it comes with lightweight, compact carrying case to make going to your studio or art class easier.
Artify
SILVER: Second Favorite Pick
Artify brush bristles are stiff and good for Oil Painting. The fibers are constructed with a blend of hog hairs that workers tied together and aligned by hand so that the hairs won’t be left on the canvas while you are painting.
Benicci Store
BRONZE: Third Alternative
This a 12 paint brushes set for watercolor, acrylic, and even oil painting. The bristles hold a good amount of paint, and the easy-grip handles give you fine control.
PAINT BRUSH SET - SOFT YET DURABLE BRISTLES - Our painting set holds up well regardless of what you're painting on. Use these watercolor brushes on fabric, canvas, wood, or board--no staining or shedding.
Whether you're a hobbyist or a professional, this artist paint brush set will help you make gorgeous art! The many shapes and sizes give you plenty of options.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about how to paint art on a budget
What can I add to cheap acrylic paint?
Using cornstarch or flour as a thickener is a popular DIY trick for thickening acrylic paint available on the Internet. The method is the ideal option for those who are needing a fast solution for thickening the acrylic medium.
Is it cheaper to make your own acrylic paint?
By making your own paints, not only do you save money, but you also gain full control over the ingredients and quality of the paint. I recommend anyone that is seriously interested in acrylic painting to take their time and give this approach a chance.
Whats the difference between cheap and expensive acrylic paint?
Cheap VS. Expensive Acrylic Paint. Cheaper acrylic paints will have a higher concentration of acrylic polymer (which acts as a filler) and less pigment. Liquitex is the go-to brand for students and artists who need quality paints at an outstanding value.
What is the cheapest material to paint on?
Here are a few ideas to get your mind running:
- Brown paper bags from the grocery store (free)
- Cardboard (often free if you look behind office supply stores)
- Large sheets of inexpensive stiff drawing paper.
- Watercolor paper (can be cut easily into smaller pieces)
- Mat board (scraps you may have lying around)
What type of painting is easiest for beginners?
Acrylic
Acrylic is typically the easiest for beginners, while watercolor is the hardest. However, if you hate working with acrylic, don't force yourself to paint it just because it's easier.
What is a cheap alternative to canvas?
Cardboard is a cheaper substitute for canvas in painting and it is also a great way to recycle. Just like cotton or linen canvas, the cardboard should be treated with gesso, which is a primer that contains chalk or gypsum and glue.
What paper is best for acrylic paint?
Hot Press paper will be the smoothest, so that is the one I would recommend for painting with acrylics. The Rough Grain paper will have a rough, bumpy texture, and the Cold Press will be a little bumpy but not as much as the Rough Grain. Those little bumps could get in the way when painting with acrylics.
Can I make my own canvas?
With some simple DIY skills, you can make your own canvas painting boards. Making your own canvas boards is fun, quick and can save you money. It also gives you a superior product and the flexibility to create whatever size or shape you need for any given project.
Can you use any fabric for a canvas?
There are two major fibre types used to make canvas: cotton and linen (flax). Some speciality fibres such as hemp and jute are also used for canvas – we do jute, and although it is a different fibre it is usually considered an extra-rough linen because it is very similar
What is a good substitute for gesso?
In short, the best alternatives for gesso are either commercial acrylic primers or Clear Gesso. It is also possible to paint directly on the surface without any primer or, if a cheap alternative to gesso is needed, then gesso can be easily made at home with ingredients that can be bought almost anywhere
