Cheap Tools on Sale

Fine-tip control makes this set worth having around for anyone who paints models, miniatures, or does detail work that standard brushes can't handle precisely, and five sizes give you options without committing to a full brush collection. Buy Now at Amazon

Stocking up on brushes makes sense for painters working across mediums, since this set covers a range of shapes and sizes in one pack, and at $9.66 you're paying about a dollar less than the $10.99 list price. Buy Now at Amazon

Catalyst brushes use a silicone-infused handle shape that's designed for mixed-media work, scraping and shaping paint as well as applying it, which suits painters who like to work with texture beyond just bristle strokes. It's $1.68 off the list price at Amazon. Buy Now at Amazon

A coarse poly bristle brush like this one is what gives freshly poured concrete that non-slip, textured finish, so it's worth having on hand for driveways, walkways, or patios. The 24-inch width covers more ground per pass, cutting down on the number of strokes you need across a large slab. Buy Now at Home Depot

Painters who work in watercolor or detail acrylic work will appreciate the fine point this round brush holds, making it a solid pick for linework and small-scale blending. It's a good addition if you're filling out a brush set rather than looking for one all-purpose tool. Buy Now at Amazon

Synthetic shader brushes like this one hold up well with acrylics, making this a reasonable pickup for hobby painters who go through brushes often, and it's currently $3 off the $9 list price. Buy Now at Amazon

Update: The price has changed to $20.19 since this was originally published.

Worth a look for watercolor or acrylic painters who do a lot of foliage, texture, or blending work, since the deerfoot shape is built specifically for stippling effects that a standard round or flat brush can't replicate easily. Buy Now at Amazon

Your pick if you paint fine details or sharp edges, since the angled synthetic bristles hold a crisp line better than a round or flat brush at this size. Shop Now at Amazon