Ox, badger, or squirrel hairs are used in soft brushes, but a brush labeled as camel hair is not from that animal but from unidentified sources. Both bristle and soft brushes come in several basic shapes and a variety of specialized shapes for particular uses. Flats are designed for covering solid areas and come in many sizes from a fraction of an inch to several inches wide. Brights are shorter than flats and were designed in the late nineteenth century for Impressionists, particularly, who preferred that brush for short repeated strokes. Filberts are flat but rounded on the tip and can be useful for solid or detail work.
Rounds can range from thick to thin, long or short, but always come to a point.
Blending brushes are fan-shaped and are used for softening areas or painting hair or grasses. Well kept brushes will have a longer life and are more pleasant to use. It is important to clean brushes immediately after each use. Never use hot water. It may expand the ferrule and loosen the hairs.