The brush in watercolor painting is that essential tool that serves as the primary medium for artists to express their vision on paper. It is not merely a tool but an extension of the artist’s hand, so understanding the various types of brushes, the things they do, their anatomy, and the materials from which they are made can significantly enhance an artist’s ability and work.
The use of a specific brush in watercolor painting can significantly affect the artist’s work, changing both the fluidity of strokes and the accuracy of details.
Brushes are offered in different sizes, shapes, and materials, each helping create different strokes and effects. In this guide we’ll visit every aspect of a brush that might affect your work, we’ll learn how they work, how many types are there, and how to find the best watercolor brush for you and your art. Let’s get started!
Understanding Watercolor Brushes
To understand and choose the best brushes for watercolor, we must first learn about brushes, their anatomy, and their different types and shapes
The anatomy of a brush consists of three main parts, the head, the ferrule, and the body:
The Head
This is the part that contains the bristles, which will hold the pigment and water. They can be either made of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a blend of both. The head has three main parts that are key in watercolor painting: The Tip, The Belly, and The Heel.
- The Tip: Also called the Toe, this is the part that comes in contact with the paper first, it can be of various shapes, like flat, round, pointy, etc. The shape of the tip will determine the kind of trace you’ll make with your brush. The nature of the bristles (whether soft or stiff, fine or coarse) directly influences the brush’s ability to create smooth washes, sharp lines, or textured strokes.
- The Belly: The belly is the fattest part of the head, designed to hold most of the water and pigment, it determines how much paint the brush can carry and release over a stroke, having a direct effect on your technique and your workflow. A larger belly allows for longer strokes without the need to reload the brush frequently, which given the quick-drying nature of watercolors, is especially beneficial for wet-on-wet washes or large areas of color.
- The Heel: The heel is where the bristles insert into the ferrule, it acts as the transition point between the belly and the ferrule. The design of the heel influences how much water and pigment the brush can hold.
The Ferrule
The ferrule is the part of the brush that secures the bristles to the handle, maintaining the brush’s shape and ensuring the bristles remain together. It’s usually made of a metallic material and it must be rust-resistant to withstand repeated exposure to water. A well-made ferrule will prevent bristle-loss and wobbly traces from being securely connected to the handle by the crimp, ensuring precision and control over brushstrokes crucial for techniques that require making sharp lines or detail work.
The Crimp is where the ferrule is pinched or pressed to attach it to the handle. It provides additional stability to the brush, ensuring the ferrule and handle remain securely attached.
The Handle
The handle is the largest part of the brush, the part you hold while painting. It’s usually made of wood, but it can also be made of plastic or metal. This is the part where you find information about the brush, the size, the type, the brand, and the series.
The handle can be long, perfect for painting while standing up or from a distance, short, great for painting up-close or working on detail, or split up in two to be carried around in your palette, perfect for traveling or urban sketching.
Types of Watercolor Brushes
There are different types of brushes all around, and knowing them and what are they good for can be very beneficial for your art. For watercolor, the bushes you must know about are the following:
Round Brushes
Good For: Versatile and widely used, round brushes are ideal for both detailed work and broader strokes. They are perfect for sketching, outlining, detailed work, and controlled washes.
Not Good For: Large washes (unless using a very large round brush) or very flat, even color applications due to their pointed tip.
Flat Brushes
Good For: Producing wide strokes, flat washes, and sharp edges. They are excellent for filling in large areas, creating straight edges, and blocking in colors.
Not Good For: Detailed or fine work due to their size and shape.
Filbert Brushes
Good For: Combining the features of round and flat brushes, filberts have an oval shape that makes them suitable for blending, soft-edged strokes, and slightly varied lines.
Not Good For: Achieving very fine details or sharp, square edges.
Fan Brushes
Good For: Creating texture, such as foliage, grass, or hair. They can also be used for smoothing and blending.
Not Good For: Detail work, washes, or any application where uniformity is required due to their spread bristles.
Mop Brushes
Good For: Large washes and broad strokes. Mop brushes can hold a lot of water and pigment, making them ideal for wet-on-wet techniques and applying large areas of color.
Not Good For: Detailed or precise work because of their large size and high water load.
Detail Brushes
Good For: Extremely fine work, such as adding small details, fine lines, and tiny highlights.
Not Good For: Broad strokes or washes due to their very small size and limited water/paint holding capacity.
Rigger or Liner Brushes
Good For: Long, continuous lines, such as branches, wires, or hair. They have long, thin bristles that hold paint well and allow for extended smooth strokes.
Not Good For: Large areas or washes due to their narrow shape.
Angled Brushes
Good For: Creating sharp, precise lines, and curves. The angled shape allows for control over the width of the stroke with a simple twist of the brush.
Not Good For: Large, uniform washes or very detailed work due to the angled edge.
Synthetic vs Natural Hair Brushes
The bristles of a brush can be made of different materials which can affect how the brush performs. This is especially important in watercolor painting as some natural hair brushes hold much more water and perform very differently than synthetic brushes directly affecting some watercolor techniques.
Natural Brushes
High-quality natural hair watercolor brushes are made from the fur of Kolinsky sable, which is known for its ability to hold a sharp point and retain a significant amount of water and paint. This characteristic is particularly useful for making fine details and for those smooth washes, which are essential elements in watercolor painting. Kolinsky sable brushes offer superior spring and snap in contrast with other natural hair brushes, such as those made from squirrel or goat hair. Squirrel hair brushes, while excellent for holding water, tend to have a much softer snap making them great for large washes but less effective for detailed work. Goat hair brushes, are more resilient and offer good water retention but lack the fine point and control provided by Kolinsky sable.
Synthetic Brushes
Synthetic watercolor brushes have, in fact, been progressing tremendously over the past couple of decades. Initially, human-made hair brushes were seen as inexpensive but lower-quality substitutes to natural brushes, but due to the breakthroughs in manufacturing processes, they have increased in both quality and performance. Modern brushes of this type are manufactured using different kinds of synthetic fibers that are supposed to replicate the various features of natural hairs such as water absorption and holding paint as well as keeping a fine point edge.
One of the main advantages of synthetic brushes is their long-lasting nature. As opposed to natural hair, synthetic fibers are resistant to damage from strong chemicals; thus, they last longer even with regular use. This is one of the most useful features of synthetic brushes as artists using different mediums need brushes that can withstand hard use.
One more advantage is the ethical and ecological aspects. Artificial brushes present an animal-friendly alternative to natural hair brushes, which are a vital aspect to many artists who are aware of the plight of animals and the environment and would like to play their part in supporting them. This factor, in addition to the lower price of synthetic brushes, is compelling both novice and professional painters to use them.
Best Watercolor Brushes in 2024
- Best Overall Watercolor Brushes — Silver Brush Limited Black Velvet
- Best Premium Watercolor Brushes — Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable
- Best Value Watercolor Brush Set — Princeton Aqua Elite Brush Set
- Best Synthetic Budget Watercolor Brushes — Artegria Watercolor Brush Set
- Best Travel Watercolor Brush Set — Escoda Artist Watercolor Travel Brush Set
- Best Synthetic Brushes for Students — Winsor & Newton Cotman Brush Set
#1. Best Overall Watercolor Brushes — Silver Brush Limited Black Velvet
View Prices
About Silver Brush Limited Black Velvet
The SilverBrush Limited Black Velvet watercolor brushes are a popular choice among artists for their unique blend of natural squirrel hair and black synthetic filaments, and they are our choice as the best overall watercolor brush because they combine all the factors we consider crucial for watercolor painting: they hold a lot of water making them perfect for multiple techniques, they are soft enough for multiple-layer glazes but firm enough to work on many details and lift colors, their appearance is very sleek, comfortable to hold, and their price sits very comfortably in the affordable yet professional window, making them perfect for any watercolor artist who is looking for quality, trustable brushes that are not over-expensive and that mimic the feeling of natural-bristles the best.
What makes them great:
- Material: Synthetic and Squirrel Mix.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Shape and Sizes: Round Size 6, 12 and Square Wash Size 1.
- Our Score: 7/10
- Quality: Premium Quality.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Presentation: Set of 3.
- Our Score: 7/10
- Price: $91.97
- Our Score: 7/10
Pros
- High paint capacity
- Durable blend
- Smooth application
Cons
- Pricey
- Limited sizes
- Specific care needed
View Prices
2. Best Premium Watercolor Brushes — Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable
View Prices
About Winsor & Newton Series 7
The Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable brushes have earned quite a reputation for their quality since they are hand-made in England with the best Kolinsky sable hair. These brushes are well known for their outstanding control, color flow, and their ability to snap back or come to a point during use. These brushes have very good control of the paint’s flow and also have a sharp point that snaps back into shape during use, enabling great control between the brush and the surface. On the downside, large sizes of these brushes, are very expensive because of their superior quality and the materials used, making them somewhat inaccessible to artists with a limited budget.
What makes them great:
- Material: Natural Fibers.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Shape and Sizes: Round Size 4.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Quality: High Quality.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Presentation: 1 Brush.
- Our Score: 7/10
- Price: $48.56
- Our Score: 7/10
Pros
- Exceptional quality
- Fine point retention
- Excellent paint flow
Cons
- Very expensive
- Fragile tips
- Care-intensive
View Prices
3. Best Value Watercolor Brush Set — Princeton Aqua Elite Brush Set
View Prices
About Princeton Aqua Elite
Princeton offers an array of synthetic brushes that can compete with the natural Kolinsky sable brushes but at a reasonable price. The brushes are known to snap and spring back to their original shape after use and can hold large amounts of water as well despite being synthetic.
These brushes are a great choice both for professional and hobbyist artists who are looking for quality, performance and efficiency of natural Kolinsky sable brush but at a cheaper price.
What makes them great:
- Material: Synthetic and Squirrel Mix.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Shape and Sizes: Round 2, 8; Angle Shader 1/2” and Wash 3/4”.
- Our Score: 7/10
- Quality: Normal Quality.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Presentation: Set of 4.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Price: $34.68
- Our Score: 9/10
Pros
- Affordable quality
- Durable synthetic
- Versatile shapes
Cons
- Less fine detail
- Varies by set
- Synthetic limitations
View Prices
4. Best Synthetic Budget Watercolor Brushes — Artegria Watercolor Brush Set
View Prices
About Artegria Watercolor Brushes
Artegria is a high-quality, diverse, and budget-friendly brand, they are made with soft synthetic squirrel hair, have short handles, and are available in a variety of shapes including round, flat, dagger, and oval.
Designer to be used with mediums like watercolors, gouache, ink, and fluid acrylic; these brushes are highly prized for their water-holding capacity, snapping back, and holding their point when used for fine detail in smaller areas. They are particularly good for painting loose flowers and landscapes and work wonderfully when painting portraits making them a great deal for a low price.
What makes them great:
- Material: Synthetic Hair.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Shape and Sizes: Round 0, 3, 6, 8, 10, 12; Dagger Striper 3/8”; Oval Wash 3/4”; Flats 6 and 3/4”.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Quality: Normal Quality.
- Our Score: 7/10
- Presentation: Set of 10.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Price: $25.00
- Our Score: 9/10
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Good variety
- Synthetic durability
Cons
- Inconsistent quality
- Limited longevity
- Less precision
View Prices
5. Best Travel Watercolor Brush Set — Escoda Artist Watercolor Travel Brush Set
View Prices
About Escoda Watercolor Brushes
Escoda is a well-known European brand that has been making watercolor brushes since 1933, this travel brush set is made with the finest synthetic brushes, which are capable of delivering the same performance as natural hair brushes.
Escoda is famous for the production of brushes that offer good water retention, a fine point, and lifetime durability. The travel sets, which are designed with portability and versatility in mind, are the perfect choice for watercolor artists who have to travel. The brushes come with a cap that is used to cover the bristles when they’re not in use and that also helps to extend the brush length, which is ideal for plein-air painting or urban sketching.
What makes them great:
- Material: Synthetic Hair.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Shape and Sizes: Round 4, Bright 12, Round Pointed16.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Quality: High Quality.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Presentation: Set of 3 with Canvas Pouch.
- Our Score: 7/10
- Price: $85.48
- Our Score: 8/10
Pros
- Compact design
- High-quality construction
- Excellent snap
Cons
- Pricey for travel
- Limited selection
- Protective maintenance
View Prices
6. Best Synthetic Brushes for Students — Winsor & Newton Cotman Brush Set
View Prices
About Winsor & Newton Cotman Brush Set
The Winsor & Newton Cotman Brush Set is a line of synthetic brushes created for watercolor artists who are just beginning and provides a range of brushes that are most used in watercolor painting while mimicking natural hair’s performance. These brushes are favored for their blend of differing thickness fibers, which provide both strength, spring, and excellent color carrying capacity.
Cotman brushes are budget-minded priced, making them a set of affordable brushes without compromising quality, as they have good flow control and durability. They are perfect for both beginners and experienced artists who are looking for reliable tools for watercolor painting.
What makes them great:
- Material: Synthetic Hair.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Shape and Sizes: Round 1, 6; Rigger 2; Filbert 1/4″; One Stroke 3/8″; Angled 1/8″ and Fan 2.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Quality: Normal Quality.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Presentation: Set of 7.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Price: $39.50
- Our Score: 9/10
Pros
- Student-friendly price
- Durable synthetic
- Good performance
Cons
- Not for professionals
- Limited fine detail
- Faster wear
View Prices
How to Choose the Right Watercolor Brushes
Understanding Your Painting Style and Needs
When we say you don’t have to get every brush, we mean it. And in the watercolor world, where quality brushes are more on the expensive side, knowing which brushes you need is very important. If you work with wet on wet a lot you’re going to need brushes for washes like a flat, a wash, or a mop, but if you enjoy creating highly detailed work then going for round, detail and fine tip rigger brushes will be best. Consider your level and experience as well, don’t try to get the most expensive sable kolinsky brush as a beginner and if you have enough experience and are still using synthetic brushes, consider upgrading your toolkit to blends or natural hair brushes.
Brush Material
Natural Bristles are known for their water-holding capacity and smooth application. Ideal for artists who value traditional methods and materials, however, they can be more expensive and require more care.
Synthetic Bristles offer a more affordable alternative to natural bristles, they are durable, easier to clean, and increasingly popular among artists of all levels.
Blends are popular too, presenting a not-so-expensive yet high-quality alternative for artists who work with lots of washes and need the precision and control of natural hair but the durability and affordability of synthetic brushes.
Shape and Size
The shape and size of a brush will determine the types of strokes you can make with them, getting the right shapes and sizes will affect the type of work you can do. Some sets will come with a “perfect combination” of shapes and sizes which might seem limited but are actually very useful combined together. Some sets might come in all shapes and sizes, and while those are very tempting to get they tend to be very low quality and will end up overwhelming you, plus you’ll find yourself recurring to the same four or five brushes every time. We recommend you get a small medium to high-quality set and build your collection from there.
Quality and Brand
There are natural hair brushes of all qualities, some off-brand advertise to have the best quality brushes for the cheapest prices (that are not so cheap since natural hair brushes are all expensive) when the reality is that, it happens with paper and paint too, and you won’t know until you buy them. That’s why it’s very important to research the brand first since the brand is one of the few indicators that will tell us how high quality a brush truly is. Some brands are renowned for their quality and durability. Look for reviews and recommendations from other artists to find brands that are highly regarded in the art community.
Investing in a few high-quality brushes can be more beneficial than owning many low-quality ones since quality brushes last longer, maintain their shape, and provide a better painting experience.
Price and Budget
Brushes can vary significantly in price if we compare brands and fabrication materials, so determine which are the best for your level, techniques, how much you’re willing to spend, and how many brushes you’re going to get. While high-quality brushes are an investment for your art and future, if you’re just getting into watercolors you might end up with a set that you won’t even get to use be it for fear of “ruining it” or for not feeling “good enough” so invest in quality, but don’t overspend.
If you’ve decided to go for the natural hair or blend option, make sure to get a “care and maintenance” set too so that your brushes and investment last for a long long time.
Leave a Reply