If you’re just starting out, there is no need to spend a ton of money on paint brushes, in fact I suggest you don’t. Start affordable and work your way up from there. Here are a few options:

1 inch Flat or 3/4 inch Flat Brush

You need a big brush! This is what we use to lay on the background. Using anything smaller makes it extremely time consuming.

For Some reason it’s really hard to find just a single 1 inch Flat Brush that’s not super spendy, and for some reason the 1-inch Flat is rarely included in the starter sets on Amazon. The Golden Taklon brushes are pretty much the best, and although I haven’t used this brush specifically, I’m impressed with the reviews and the price. The other two brushes are not as important, but still nice to have!

Last I checked these were like $13 on Amazon.

This one you can buy separately, but it’s a 3/4 inch, not a 1 inch, which honestly is not that big of a difference. You’ll still get good coverage, and it’s only $4.64 on Amazon right now!

Other Flats, Filberts, and Detail Brushes

This is basically all the other brushes we use. Our favorites are the 1/4 inch Flat brush, the Filbert, and the detail brushes.

BOSOBO Starter Brush Set

This is exactly what we use at our paint parties. Of course we buy in bulk because we need so many. I would suggest either starting with just 1 pack, or even 2 packs. These brushes are soft but sturdy. They don’t shed bristles quite as bad as some of the other ones as will. The only thing I really dislike about these is that the coating on the handle flakes off after continued usage. I think as long as you clean your brushes immediately after use, and let them dry, they won’t flake as bad. Overall, they are a pretty good buy, and you get pretty much every brush you need.

Last I checked they were $4.99 for a single pack of 10 brushes on Amazon.

Brush Value Sets

Artlicious 25 Brush Set

I have gotten lucky with some brush value sets in the past, and unlucky with some as well. They are multi-purpose brushes, so you get a little bit of everything, including nylon brushes, bristle brushes, and camel hair brushes. You also get the 1 inch or 3/4 inch Flat, which is the main reason I started to buy these in the beginning. However, sometimes the brushes just don’t hold up. I have not used this value set specifically, I’ve used some from Michael’s though, and this seems pretty comparable, and cheaper actually. Keep in mind, we use our brushes regularly, and most of our painters are beginners, so our brushes take a beating, lol. So it’s not surprising that some of these cheaper sets start to shed bristles, get flaky handles, or loose their heads. What I’m saying is, they are still a good price and most likely worth the purchase. This particular value set is currently $7.99 at Amazon.

Intermediate Paint Brushes

Royal Langnickle Soft Grip Golden Taklon Brush Set

For those of you that have been painting for awhile and would like to step it up, you still don’t have to spend a crap-ton more money!

Honestly, these brushes would probably be my favorite. I love them! They are soft, but not too soft. They’re durable, have clean lines, and a super soft cushy handle to hold onto. What’s not to like!

This is the beginner set. I has five short handle brushes, including a 3/4 inch Flat), a Size 5/0 Liner, a Size 4 Round, an Angular (3/4” width), and a Size 8 Shader. That’s seriously all you really need.

You can get this particular set at Blick for $12.57!

Professional Brush Sets

Kingart Golden Taklon Brush Set

I actually want this set. I don’t have it, but I have heard amazing things about it, and I want it. Let it be known that, I do not use expensive brushes, even when I paint for myself, or professionally. I’m a budgeter, guess that’s not a word…… oh well it is now. Point is, if you have money to burn, and you want a really nice set, these ain’t bad.

They usually run around $70 bucks on Amazon.

For more information on brush types and sizes check out our Brush Shapes post.