The Ultimate Guide to the Best Watercolor Brushes

Searching for the perfect watercolor brushes can be quite a daunting task. With countless brands, types, and opinions available, determining the best brush for your needs can lead to confusion. The choices are abundant, and one can easily become overwhelmed by the selection.

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If you have been tuning in to my blog or YouTube channel, you know how much I adore Princeton brushes, particularly the Heritage series for my watercolor artwork. While these brushes are certainly my top recommendation, personal preference and budget can influence your choice. Therefore, I've curated a comprehensive guide to watercolor brushes, detailing my favorite selections and their intended uses. This way, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your artistic style and needs. Plus, you might find some of these brands more accessible in your local area!

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The Importance of Choosing the Right Watercolor Brush

Selecting the appropriate watercolor brush is akin to choosing the right tool for a specific task; it drastically affects your painting endeavor! Picture attempting to depict a delicate flower petal using a stiff, flat brush—infuriating, right? The correct brush not only enhances your experience but also allows you to create stunning, fluid strokes and intricate details that elevate your art.

Whether you're painting sweeping landscapes or detailed botanical illustrations, having an array of quality brushes at your disposal ensures that you're ready to tackle any artistic challenge. A well-made brush exhibits good snap and retains the ideal amount of water and pigment, allowing you greater control over your creations. Don't skimp on brushes; I promise to share affordable yet excellent options for you below. And if you are just beginning your watercolor journey, be sure to grab my FREE complete guide for beginners!

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Watercolor Paper and The Ultimate Guide to Watercolor Paints

Glossary

I will be diving into my favorite brands—along with their respective pros and cons—shortly, but first, here's a glossary of essential terms to help you decipher labels on professional artists' tools!

Snap

This term refers to how effectively a brush snaps back to its original shape after being bent. I favor synthetic hair brushes crafted to mimic Kolinsky Sable hair, which is both flexible and snap-friendly.

Spring

Spring describes how well a brush maintains its shape while applying various watercolor techniques. If the bristles spring back quickly, it indicates a strong spring!

Capacity/Load

This measures how much water a brush can retain, which varies by size and shape. Some brands and series excel in holding more water than others.

Before we delve into hair types, I encourage anyone keen to learn more about art terminology and refine their skills—whether as a hobbyist or a professional—to join The Art Within. Recently updated (as of August), this resource covers everything I wish I had learned in art school, from essential skills to developing your unique style!

Hair Types in Watercolor Brushes

Next, let's explore the various hair types you might want to consider for your watercolor brushes. Although I prefer synthetic options, I will outline the advantages and disadvantages of each type below.

Synthetic vs. Natural Hair

When it comes to synthetic and natural hair brushes, each has its own merits and downsides. I personally favor synthetic brushes due to their affordability and the fact that they are a cruelty-free option. Both types pose environmental concerns, so it’s critical to know how to maintain your brush for its longevity!

Related: How to Clean Your Watercolor Brushes

Sable

This is the highly sought-after hair type in watercolor brushes, with Kolinsky Sable being the most coveted. If you prefer natural hair brushes, this is what you'll want to seek. Sable hair excels in round-shaped brushes due to its excellent snap. The Princeton Heritage series uses synthetic sable hair, offering a fraction of the cost compared to natural sable options.

Squirrel

Squirrel hair is softer and less springy than sable but is desirable for mop brushes and ensuring large, even coverage! You can opt for natural squirrel hair brushes, but I stick with synthetic options.

Hog

Hog hair brushes are my least favorite—they are stiff and coarse. I prefer using them for flat brushes, as I appreciate bounce and spring in my watercolor painting.

Goat

Commonly used in traditional Japanese calligraphy, goat hair watercolor brushes typically do not form a crisp point.

Ox

Lastly, ox hair is another stiff type of hair I'd reserve for flat brushes, but it works well for creating dry brush textures!

Different Brush Shapes

I will provide some insights on selecting the ideal watercolor brushes shortly, but let's first explore the various shapes of brushes you may want to consider for your collection.

Round

Round brushes are my favorite due to their versatility. Their fine tip allows for detailed strokes, while the belly provides wider strokes. Personally, I believe that every watercolor artist should have at least two sizes of round brushes—specifically a size 6 and a size 16. The Princeton Heritage rounds are essential in my toolkit!

Flat

Flat brushes are primarily used for washes, stripes, and linear strokes. For this brush style, I particularly enjoy the Princeton Aqua Elite series flat brushes, like the Mottler!

Dagger

Picture a flat brush with a slanted edge—the dagger brush has a sharp corner that can be used for precise detailing.

Mop

Mop brushes feature a fuller body, excellent for soaking up water while maintaining a pointed tip. Personally, I prefer round brushes over mop brushes as the latter can be tricky to control.

Detail

Detail brushes, such as riggers and spotters, are essential for intricate work. Rigger brushes boast longer hair, allowing for extended loads, while spotters are designed for smaller details. If you plan to invest in any brushes, ensure you choose a high-quality detail brush.

Selecting the Right Brush

If you're starting from scratch and wish to stay budget-friendly, I recommend acquiring one small brush (like a detail brush or round size 2), one medium round brush (my favorite is size 6), one large round (size 16), one filbert brush (size 12), and a large wash/flat brush (like the Mottler from Aqua Elite). This selection will offer you variety for painting anything from flowers to landscapes and portraits, whether you're aiming for a loose or realistic style.

When it comes to knowing which brush to select for specific techniques in your painting, consider the tips mentioned above and pose yourself these questions:

• What is the primary goal for this stroke?
• Smooth coverage?
• Small details?
• Dry texture?
• Complex strokes without frequent water dips?

My Top Recommendations for Watercolor Brushes

I’ll outline the pros and cons of the top watercolor brush brands below. However, if you're eager to start shopping, my favorites are listed in my Amazon store.

Princeton Heritage

Pros:

• Durability and spring.

  This series has the best spring I have discovered, which is the primary reason for my fondness. I enjoy painting with a bounce.

  *Bend and snap!

• Holds substantial water.

  Like the Aqua Elite series, this range also retains a lot of water, but not quite as much.

• Value for money.

  Compared to natural sable brushes, this synthetic series performs similarly but comes at a significantly lower cost.

Cons:

• Fine points.

  The tips of these brushes are effective, but not as sharp as needle points, so expect less precision for intricate details.

Here’s a closer look at this series:

Princeton Aqua Elite

Pros:

• Durability.

  This series is designed for spreading and dragging across any paper texture, and it withstands wear well.

• Exceptional water capacity.

  Known for holding vast amounts of water, this brush is excellent for landscapes or wet-on-wet techniques.

• Affordable pricing.

  This series offers impressive quality at a great price!

• Extensive variety.

  A wide range of sizes and shapes are available in this series, from mottlers and daggers to various round brushes.

Cons:

• Soft bristles.

  The luxurious softness of this series can be a learning curve as it retains so much water.

Here's a closer examination of Winsor & Newton Cotman brushes:

Winsor and Newton Cotman Short Handle

Pros:

• Snappy texture.

  The hair is pleasant and firm, retaining its shape effectively.

• Good points.

  Excellent for detail work, these brushes provide a fine tip.

Cons:

• Short handle.

  Preference may dictate this, but shorter handles can be a discomfort for big strokes.

• Poor water retention.

  This series lacks a round brush that effectively retains water, which can require more frequent dips.

Find all of the sizes and shapes available in the Cotman brush range here.

Da Vinci Maestro

Pros:

• Good water capacity.

  Similar to the Aqua Elite series, this brush excels in holding water!

• Sharp points.

  Offers exceptionally fine points, ideal for detailed work.

• Snappy.

  Very durable with stiff hair that returns well to its original shape.

Cons:

• Missing detail brush.

  This brand does not include detail brushes, but the round options compensate with their sharp points.

• Short handle.

  As previously mentioned, shorter handles can be inconvenient for sweeping strokes.

• High price.

  Being natural hair and high quality comes at a premium; therefore, expect higher starting prices than synthetic brushes.

Maintaining Your Watercolor Brushes

Once you have selected the best watercolor brushes for your needs, it’s vital you understand how to care for them properly. Watch the video below for some of my absolute favorite tips on brush care, including things you should never do if you want your brushes to remain in excellent condition.

Frequently Asked Questions About Watercolor Brushes

What distinguishes synthetic from natural hair brushes?

Synthetic brushes tend to be less expensive and do not involve animal cruelty, which is a significant advantage! They also usually dance with better snap and are simpler to maintain than natural hair brushes, which can hold more water and paint but come with a higher price tag and more care requirements.

Why is 'snap' significant in a brush?

Brush snap demonstrates how well a brush returns to its original shape after being bent. Having good snap permits you greater control and precision in your strokes, which is crucial for more detailed watercolor work.

Can I utilize the same brushes for different watercolor techniques?

Absolutely! However, keep in mind that some brushes are more versatile than others. Round brushes, in particular, can accommodate both fine details and broader strokes, making them essential all-around tools.

How do I care for my watercolor brushes?

Caring for your brushes is easy! Always rinse them thoroughly post-use, reshape the bristles, and allow them to dry flat or facing downwards without being pressed or bent against other objects. Be mindful not to leave brushes submerged in water for prolonged periods, as this can compromise the handle and bristles. If you want to learn more, I have a dedicated YouTube video addressing this topic!

Are high-priced brushes genuinely worth the investment?

It varies! While high-quality brushes can enhance your experience, particularly for detailed work, you don’t need to spend excessively. Numerous excellent and budget-friendly choices exist, such as the Princeton Heritage series, which I highly recommend.

Where can I get these brushes?

You can find these brushes at most art supply retailers or online. I've included several links in this post for your shopping convenience, and you can explore all the products I adore over on Amazon.

Where can I expand my knowledge of watercolor painting?

I’m glad you asked! Visit this link to discover my best-selling books on watercolor painting, or enroll in my Everyday Watercolor Companion Course for more insights into utilizing watercolor effectively. I hope you love it just as much as I do!

Artist Paint Brushes

Your paintbrush is your magical wand, enabling you to blend colors across your canvas. Artist paintbrushes become cherished tools through repetitive use! As you paint, you'll gradually get acquainted with how they handle paint and what they can achieve for you. Before long, you'll feel an intuitive connection with your brushes.

Entering the paintbrush aisle in an art supply store can be overwhelming, especially for beginners experimenting with acrylics. The multitude of options may be dizzying!

Not to worry—the Art is Fun Paintbrush Guide is here to assist! This guide will equip you with everything you need to know regarding selecting the right paintbrushes to meet your requirements.

Paintbrushes for acrylics arrive in a plethora of shapes and sizes. The shapes and sizes of your choices will invariably depend on your desired scale and level of detail in your work. Take a look:

If you’re interested in learning more about Large Paint Roller, reach out to us today for an expert consultation!