Cart is empty Best Watercolour Brushes in 2023
Exploring the Watercolour Brush Market of 2023: With its exquisite beauty, watercolour painting is an art form that demands both creative finesse and professional-grade tools. As a result, it can be difficult for artists to identify which brush offers them optimal quality without compromising on features like durability or versatility. To help make this decision easier in 2023, our experts have selected some top brushes for your next go-to tool!
What are Watercolour Brushes?
A watercolour brush is a tool used for applying watercolour paint onto paper or other surfaces. Each of the various forms, sizes, and materials used to make watercolour brushes has its own special qualities that have an impact on how paint is applied. The most common types of watercolour brushes are made of natural hair, such as sable, squirrel, or goat hair, or synthetic fibres. The hairs or fibres of a watercolour brush determine its ability to hold water and pigment and its ability to release them smoothly and evenly onto the paper. The shape of the brush¬¬, such as round, flat, or filbert, determines the type of stroke it creates and the areas it can cover. Overall, the right watercolour brush is essential for achieving the desired effect in a watercolour painting.
Our Top Picks for the Best Watercolour Brushes
Winsor & Newton Artists' Watercolour Sable Round Brushes
Product Description
The Winsor & Newton Artists' Watercolour Sable Round Brushes are a versatile option that can be used for both detailed work and washes. These brushes are carefully hand-made using the finest Kolinsky sable hair and feature birchwood handles. The exceptional strength, spring, and snap of these brushes make them highly valued by watercolour artists, as they retain their shape and provide superior performance in a variety of painting techniques.
Benefits
- Hand-made from the finest Kolinsky sable hair and birchwood handles
- Offers strength, spring and snap so the brush retains shape
- Perfect for detailed work and washes
- Highly regarded by watercolour artists
Specifications
- Material: Sable hair & birchwood handles
- Size: #00 to #12
Winsor & Newton Series 7 Miniature Kolinsky Sable Brushes
Product Description
The Winsor & Newton Series 7 Miniature Kolinsky Sable Brushes cater to artists who value the impact of brush quality on their artwork. These brushes originated in 1866 after being commissioned by Her Majesty Queen Victoria to create the world's most exceptional watercolour brush. Made solely from the finest pure Kolinsky hair, they boast rust-proof nickel-plated ferrules and stylish black polished handles. While the miniature brushes belong to the same Series 7 Kolinsky Brushes family, they have a slender, sharp tip, a diminutive midsection, and an optimal bristle length that make them perfect for miniature painting and photographic retouching.
Benefits
- Made with the finest pure Kolinsky hairs
- Rust-proof nickel-plated ferrule and black polished handle
- Fine pointed tip, extra small belly and elevated bristle length
- Ideal for miniature painting and photographic retouching
- Understands that the quality of a brush reflects through the quality of its art
Specifications
- Material: Kolinsky Hair
- Size: #000 to 4
Winsor & Newton Artists' Watercolour Sable One Stroke Brushes
Product Description
Winsor & Newton Artists' Watercolour Sable One Stroke Brushes are short, flat brushes specifically crafted for watercolour painting. It offers strength, spring, and snap that allows it to retain its shape even after numerous uses. Made with the finest Kolinsky sable hair and birchwood handles, these brushes are hand-made with great care and precision to meet the needs of watercolour artists. As such, they are highly regarded by professional watercolourists due to their superior performance in creating edges, and shapes, and applying washes.
Benefits
- Hand-made from the finest Kolinsky sable hair and birchwood handles
- Offers strength, spring and snap so the brush retains shape
- Perfect for creating edges, and shapes and applying washes
- Highly regarded by watercolour artists
Specifications
- Material: Sable Hair
- Size: Available in 6 sizes
Winsor & Newton Cotman 111 Watercolour Round Brushes
Product Description
Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolour paint brushes are renowned for their superior quality and performance. Crafted with pure synthetic hair, these brushes have an excellent capacity for colour holding and point retention, making them ideal for both professional and amateur watercolourists. The 111 range in particular offers round brush tips with short handles, giving artists the ability to produce fine detail, washes, fills, and lines from thin to thick with ease. Highly popular amongst watercolour artists, these brushes are a great choice for anyone looking for reliable results.
Benefits
- Crafted with high-grade pure synthetic hair
- Perfectly balanced colour holding and point retention
- Ideal for professional and amateur watercolourists
- Round brush tip and short handle, giving artists great control over detail, washes fill and thin to thick lines
- Highly popular amongst watercolour artists
Specifications
- Material: Synthetic
- Size: #4/0 to #24
Jasarat Round Sable Brushes
Product Description
Jasart Round Sable Paint Brushes provide the perfect combination of accuracy, detail, and control for any oil or watercolour artist. Finding a balance between price point and quality can be difficult when looking for art supplies - but with these brushes, you don't have to choose! A great economical alternative to high-end Kolinsky sable paint brushes, they deliver reliable performance no matter what your level of experience is.
Benefits
- An economical alternative to expensive Kolinsky Paint Sable brushes
- Perfect for oil and watercolour artists seeking precision and control
- Excellent accuracy, detail and control
- Maximum performance and durability
- Holds a large amount of colour while maintaining shape and sharpness through each brush stroke
Specifications
- Material: Animal Hair
- Size: #20/0 to #10
Types of Watercolour Brushes
There are many different kinds of watercolour brushes available, and each one has certain qualities that have an impact on how the paint is applied. Here are some of the most common types of watercolour brushes:
- Round Brushes: Round Brushes are the most creative tool in a painter's arsenal. From subtle detail work to vibrant washes, these tools provide an array of artistic possibilities thanks to their pointed tips and full bellies. Unlock your inner artist with round brushes - let them bring out all facets of creativity!
- Flat Brushes: These brushes have a flat, square tip, and they are ideal for covering large areas with washes, laying down a flat colour, or creating broad strokes.
- Filbert Brushes: These brushes have an oval or rounded tip that tapers to a point. They are ideal for blending, creating soft edges, and painting curved shapes.
- Fan Brushes: These brushes have a flat, fan-shaped tip, and they are ideal for creating textures, blending, and softening edges.
- Mop Brushes: These brushes have a full, round head and a long handle. They are ideal for creating soft washes, blending, and applying paint in a loose style.
- Rigger Brushes: These brushes have a long, thin tip, and they are ideal for creating fine lines, details, and calligraphy.
- Dagger Brushes: These brushes have a flat, angled tip that comes to a sharp point. They are ideal for creating precise lines, shapes, and details
Overall, the kind of watercolour brush you use ultimately depends on the style you wish to use, the size and form of the area you are painting, and your own preferences.
What Size Brushes are Best for Watercolour Painting?
The appropriate brush size for watercolour painting depends on the task at hand, but in general, smaller brushes, such as those in sizes 0, 1, and 2, are best for fine details, while larger brushes, such as those in sizes 10, 12, and 14, are better for washes and covering greater areas. It's recommended to have a range of brush sizes available to suit different needs.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Watercolour Paint Brushes
There are a number of important elements to take into account when selecting watercolour paint brushes, including the brush size and shape, the type of bristles, the brush handle, and the intended purpose. Take into account the type of paint you'll be performing, the surface you'll be painting on, and the effects you hope to accomplish. Also consider the quality, durability, and responsiveness of the brush. Other factors to consider include the brush's price point, ease of use and maintenance, and overall comfort and feel in your hand. You can select a watercolour brush that will enable you to get the artistic outcomes you're going for by taking into account all of these aspects.
Get Started with Watercolour Painting
Looking to get started with watercolour painting? We have some ideas for you in our Mastering Watercolour in 3 Easy Steps guide, as well as some Popular Watercolour Techniques that every artist needs to know. Also check out our roundup of the Best Watercolour Paints in 2023 that you'll need for your next masterpiece.
FAQs – Watercolour Brushes
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about watercolour brushes:
What is the best type of brush for watercolour painting?
The best brush for a watercolour painting depends on the task at hand, but in general, smaller brushes, like those with a diameter of 0, 1, and 2, are best for fine details, while larger brushes, like those with a diameter of 10, 12, and 14, are better for washes and covering greater areas. It's recommended to have a range of brush sizes available to suit different needs.
What is the difference between natural hair and synthetic brushes?
Natural hair brushes are classic, made with animal hairs like sable. Their capacity to hold more pigment and water makes them the preferred choice for painting in watercolour - an art form known for its unique lightness of touch. Synthetic brush sets offer cost-savings while still providing excellent durability compared to their natural counterparts.
What is the best shape for a watercolour brush?
The best shape for a watercolour brush depends on the specific task. Round brushes are the most versatile and are great for general use, while flat brushes are good for washing and covering larger areas. Filbert brushes have a flat shape with rounded edges, making them ideal for blending and creating soft edges.
How do I take care of my watercolour brushes?
To keep your watercolour brushes looking and performing at their best, it's important to give them the right care after each use. Cleanse any paint residue with a mild soap or brush cleaner, then reshape the bristles while still wet before storing horizontally or upright - this will avoid misshaping due to gravity over time. Following these steps ensures that you can continue creating beautiful art for years to come!
What is the difference between a cheap and an expensive watercolour brush?
To keep your watercolour brushes looking and performing at their best, it's important to give them the right care after each use. Cleanse any paint residue with a mild soap or brush cleaner, then reshape the bristles while still wet before storing horizontally or upright - this will avoid misshaping due to gravity over time. Following these steps ensures that you can continue creating beautiful art for years to come!
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right watercolour brush is an essential part of creating beautiful and professional-looking watercolour paintings. In 2023, many high-quality brushes will be available, designed to meet the needs of different artists and painting styles. Whether you prefer natural or synthetic bristles, round or flat brushes, or small or large-sized brushes, there is a brush to suit your needs. The Winsor & Newton Series 7, da Vinci Watercolour Series 10 Maestro, Escoda Versatil Series, Silver Brush Black Velvet, and Princeton Artist Brush Neptune are all excellent options that provide artists with reliable and versatile tools for their artwork. By investing in a high-quality watercolour brush, artists can enjoy improved control and precision, resulting in stunning watercolour paintings.