A guide to oil paint brushes

Which brushes work best with oil colour?

The thicker the paint, the stiffer the brush needs to be. Oils are naturally heavy and viscous, so a resilient brush is essential to manipulate the colour with precision. If you thin your paint, a softer tuft is needed (such as soft hair or filament), while colours that have been thinned to a fluid consistency call for brushes with flow control, such as sable or synthetic hairs.

Choosing the right brush hair

For oils, natural hog hair brushes are a traditional and reliable choice. Naturally stiff, with bristles that split into two or three tips (known as flags), they hold more paint and deliver it evenly.

Not all hog brushes are created equal:

• Best hog: stiffest, with plenty of flags, carries more colour, extremely resilient, maintains shape and working edge.
• Better hog: slightly softer, wears more quickly.
• Good hog: softer still, loses shape over time.
• Poor quality hog: weak, splayed, and difficult to control.

Winsor & Newton Artists’ Hog Brushes are made from the finest quality hog, designed to keep their shape and edge for longer.

If you prefer an alternative to natural hair, or want a more affordable option, synthetic brushes are worth considering. Thanks to innovation and expertise, our synthetic ranges perform at a professional level. Stiff synthetics are excellent for both oils and acrylics, offering great control and durability. Winsor & Newton’s Professional Oil Synthetic Hog brushes combine professional performance with lasting quality.

How to clean oil paint brushes

After painting, wipe away as much colour as possible with a rag. Rinse your brush in Winsor & Newton Artists’ White Spirit or Brush Cleaner, then create a soapy lather with warm (never hot) water until it runs clear. Avoid detergents and paint strippers, which damage bristles and destroy brush shape.

Cleaning oil paint brushes doesn’t have to be difficult. Our Brush Cleaner speeds up the process, reduces waste, and is a safer, biodegradable alternative to harsher solvents. Some artists prefer their own methods, from wiping with rags and cooking oil to pushing brushes into a bar of soap in circular motions. Whichever you choose, always dispose of oily rags responsibly in a lidded metal bin to prevent the risk of spontaneous combustion.

If you’re too tired to clean up straight away, wrap brushes in a damp cloth sealed in a plastic bag, or leave them standing in water. Since oil and water don’t mix, this will temporarily prevent the paint from setting until you can clean them properly.

Reshaping, drying, and storing brushes

Once clean, remove excess water, dry ferrules and handles, and reshape the brush head. Leave brushes to dry with bristles facing upwards. A little staining on the bristles is normal and won’t affect performance.

When storing hog brushes for longer periods, always ensure they are completely dry to prevent mildew. A closed box with a tight-fitting lid will protect them further, keeping moths away and preserving their shape.

With the right brush care, your tools will serve you for years, keeping every stroke controlled and every colour alive on the canvas.