There is a huge selection of brushes available, and when you go into an art shop it can be confusing to make a sensible choice. The range of sizes can be a nightmare, think of it this way: there is no point spending £20.00 plus for a brush just for it to sit in a tin 364 days a year.

Personally I can’t afford Kolinsky Sable and tend to use a golden synthetic made for me by a UK brush manufacturer, available to buy here online soon. I have tended to find that although I have spent money on lots of different brushes I always end up using the same set as follows.

I recommend (and use) 3 brushes to start working with, a ¾” or 1” flat one stroke wash, a pointed (round) No6 and a standard No1 rigger. As time goes on you can add other sizes shapes for specific tasks. I just base my choice on what the artists I admire use, if you can afford sable or squirrel then by all means feel free I always feel sorry for the animal though.

One day soon I'll treat myself to one of Bryan Thatcher's large 1" and 2" wash brushes.