Discovering New Brushes: The Filbert
Have you ever heard of the Filbert brush?
This month, I want to share my experience with a Filbert brush. At the beginning of my watercolor journey, I mostly used round brushes because they were familiar and easy to handle. But over time, I discovered that exploring different types of brushes can make a huge difference in your work.
What is a Filbert Brush?
The Filbert brush is a type of paintbrush characterized by its flat, oval-shaped bristles with a slightly rounded tip. This distinctive shape sets it apart from traditional flat or round brushes, making it a popular choice among artists for various painting techniques.
I bought mine here in Abu Dhabi at Creative Minds. It’s a Da Vinci size 20, and I absolutely love it! Using this brush has made painting flowers, leaves, and natural shapes so much simpler and more enjoyable.
I’ll also share some of my practice exercises to show you how to take advantage of it.
I encourage you to experiment with different brushes. Try a Filbert, a Wash, or even a Mop brush for backgrounds. You’ll be surprised how much easier—and fun—some techniques can become when you step out of your comfort zone.
Don’t be afraid to try new tools. Sometimes changing your brush is all it takes to make your painting process smoother and more expressive!
Quick Practice Tips for Your Filbert Brush
To get comfortable with your new Filbert brush, try these simple exercises:
1. Basic Strokes
Hold the brush lightly and practice making curved strokes.
Experiment with the flat and rounded sides of the brush to see how the shape changes 
.
2. Painting Leaves
Start with a simple oval shape, press lightly to create a thin tip, then release pressure for a wider base.
3. Creating Flowers
Use the side of the Filbert to paint petals with soft edges.
Rotate the brush slightly as you paint each petal to create natural variation.
4. Mix & Match
Combine your Filbert with your usual round brushes for details, stems, or fine lines.
Notice how the combination of shapes adds depth and variation to your work.
✨ Tip: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Practice on scrap paper and experiment with pressure, angles, and color mixes. You’ll be amazed at how versatile this brush can be.
Let me know in the comments if you have or want to try this brush. Any other tips?