Yes, you can use watercolor brushes for acrylic painting, but only if they are made from synthetic hairs. If your watercolor brush is made from natural hairs, it's best to avoid using them with acrylics.
The suitability of using a watercolor brush for acrylics depends entirely on the material the brush hairs are made from.
Why Brush Material Matters
Acrylic paints and watercolor paints have different properties, and these properties interact differently with various brush materials.
- Acrylic Paint: Acrylics are heavier, thicker, and dry quickly. Once dry, they form a plastic layer that can be difficult to remove from brush fibers. Acrylic paint is generally harsher on a paintbrush than watercolors.
- Watercolor Paint: Watercolors are transparent pigments mixed with a binder that is soluble in water. They are much lighter and easier to clean from brushes.
According to the reference, if your watercolor brush is made from synthetic hairs, then you can use them with acrylics. Synthetic brushes are durable and resilient, making them better suited to handle the demands of acrylic paints, including the thicker consistency and the process of cleaning acrylics before they dry.
However, if your watercolor brush is made from natural hairs, then you shouldn't use them with acrylics. Natural hair brushes (like sable, squirrel, or goat hair) are typically softer and more absorbent, designed to hold a large amount of water for washes. Acrylic paint is harsher on a paintbrush than watercolors, and using it with natural hair brushes can damage the delicate fibers, causing them to lose their shape, flexibility, and snap over time.
Synthetic vs. Natural Brushes: A Quick Guide
Knowing whether your watercolor brush is synthetic or natural is key.
| Feature | Synthetic Brushes (Often suitable for acrylics) | Natural Hair Brushes (Not recommended for acrylics) |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Springy, smooth | Softer, sometimes a bit scaly feel |
| Appearance | Often uniformly colored, may have a sheen | Color can vary, less uniform |
| Water Hold | Holds less water than natural hair | Holds a lot of water (ideal for washes) |
| Durability | More durable and resilient | More delicate, prone to damage from harsh paints |
Most brush manufacturers label their brushes with the hair type (e.g., "synthetic," "sable," "squirrel"). If unsure, synthetic brushes are a safer bet for dual use.
Using Synthetic Watercolor Brushes with Acrylics
If you plan to use your synthetic watercolor brushes with acrylics, keep these tips in mind:
- Clean Immediately: Acrylics dry quickly! Clean your brush thoroughly with water and brush soap immediately after painting. Never let acrylic paint dry on the brush hairs.
- Shape While Drying: After cleaning, gently reshape the brush head with your fingers before letting it dry flat or brush-head up.
- Expect Some Wear: Even synthetic brushes may experience more wear and tear when used with acrylics compared to watercolors, due to the nature of the paint and the cleaning required.
Using natural hair watercolor brushes with acrylics is likely to shorten their lifespan and impair their performance for watercolor painting, as the acrylics can damage the fine hairs.
In summary: Check the material of your watercolor brush. If it's synthetic, you can likely use it for acrylics. If it's natural hair, it's best to use separate brushes designed for acrylics to preserve your watercolor tools.
