There are numerous watercolor brushes available in the market each in a variety of shapes, sizes and hair types. Because of this, choosing a watercolor brush can be daunting. There are many factors that come into play, not the least of which is simply personal preference.
Additionally hair/fiber type on watercolor brushes is one of the main things that you should consider. This is because the fiber/hairs vary in terms of performance resilience and even cost a good quality watercolor brush is one that can retain the watercolors in its belly and applies/distributes the medium smoothly onto the work area all the while being capable of springing back to its original shape after use.
Sable hair/ fiber is one of the best fibers for watercolor brushes. Other things to consider when purchasing the brush include; the brushes versatility and handle length.
Below are some of the excellent options as far as watercolor brushes go:
1. Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brushes and Sets
If there is anything like the world’s finest watercolor brush, then Winsor & Newton’s Series 7 Kolinsky is it. It is made from the finest hair from the tail of the kolinsky itself in England by the most experienced brush makers.
Winsor & Newton’s Series 7 is conditioned to be rustproof with a seamless high-quality sable. This breathtaking set comes with a polished black handle brush. No other brush in the world beats this brand made according to the standards set by Queen Victoria in 1866. It doesn’t only come by the queen’s favorite size the No.7, but in various shapes and sizes. Despite that, however, it should be noted that the miniature brushes are crafted to the same superior standards.
Pros
- It comes to a crisp point that snaps back into shape during use.
- It allows superior control between the brush and surface.
- It allows color to flow evenly and consistently.
- It is of high quality preferred by artists.
- It comes in different sizes and shapes.
- It is rustproof.
- Has polished handles.
Cons
- Manufacturer’s restrictions not to be shipped outside North America.
- Customer complaints of the perfect tip wearing off.
- They are a costly investment.
2. Da Vinci Russian Blue Squirrel Brushes
This piece is made of blue squirrel hair which are held together in a plastic quill. What makes it excellent for mop and wash techniques is its capacity to hold water.
Significantly longer and larger than any brands available in the market today, the Rounds are perfectly suited for painting. Perhaps you like painting flowers and blooms on the surfaces, this Russian Blue Squirrel is a perfect choice for you.
The sustainable wood handles are carefully fitted and made to last you a lifetime. The quill wraps the hair perfectly in place with a tight copper wire securing them. If you are an artist with a superb taste for finer things, you wouldn’t want to miss out on this high-quality brush that delivers full strokes across the surface.
Pros
- They are larger and available in every series.
- It has a high capacity to hold both water and paint.
- It has a sustainable wood handle.
- It has a securely wrapped quill to hold the hair in place.
- It has certified green manufacturing.
- It has a unique point that allows for full strokes.
- It is hand-shaped.
Cons
- It is larger than normal sized brushes.
- The securing casing wires stick out making it uncomfortable to clean.
- It takes time to dry back into shape because of its huge reservoir.
3. Da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Sable Round
Intro
Da Vinci brushes are generally some of the most revered brushes in the watercolorist community. The brush features seamless, brass-plated ferrules and the hair is made from the fur of the male winter Siberian Kolinsky Red Sable. The Da Vinci Maestro line of brushes are available in different sizes and have that much desired water-carrying performance and spring back.
Pros
- Sharp needle-like point and long tapered hair make it ideal for illustrators, cartoonists, and animators because it offers the tightest snap.
- Aside from water coloring a lot of techniques such as gouache, illustration, animation, and rendering can be realized using this brush
- You are guaranteed of an excellent quality brush
Cons
- They are expensive, and the cost goes even higher as the brush size increases. Nevertheless, if you do have the budget to splurge a little on a brush, then you should choose the Maestro line of brushes.
4. Blick Master Kolinsky Sable Brushes and Set
When searching for an ideal watercolor brush, you would want to consider control and fluid capacity. Master Kolinsky promises and allows this and more. The hand-shaped fibers of the brush are beautifully attached to an Italian hardwood handle. This sheer perfection is made even more perfect with its five coats of lacquer.
Created with an artist satisfaction in mind, Master Kolinsky Sable Brush guarantees a lifetime companionship. This is for as long as you care for and properly use it. It also comes with both short and long handles and can be returned to the Blick Studios for a replacement if not satisfied with this workmanship.
Pros
- It comes with a lifetime guarantee.
- It comes with either silvertone or goldtone ferrule.
- It comes with both long and short handles.
- It can be returned for replacement when dissatisfied.
- The brush fibers are highly secured.
- It allows greater control.
- It has a fantastic fluid capacity.
Cons
- Customer complaints of uneven bristles that cannot come to a point.
- Complaints of splitting tips while there is still water in the belly.
5. Raphael Kolinsky Red Sable Brushes
This is a top of the range sable brush. By Raphael of France, this brush is made of Siberian and Manchurian sable. In other words, it is made from Kolinsky’s hair. Word has it that kolinsky has very strong and dense hair which makes it ideal for water retention.
This is a professional brush that has a seamless nickel-plated brass ferrule. Its orange tip is of high specification and you could never go wrong with its vigor, springiness, and elasticity. It has a fantastic short polished handle and its perfect bristles for precision makes it even better.
Pros
- The strong dense hair makes it perfect for water retention.
- It has a fantastic spring and snaps.
- Highly recommended for professional designers and retouchers.
- It has a fine point and a full body.
- It has vigor and elasticity.
- It has perfect bristles for precision and fine details
Cons
- Its pricing is so high.
- The customer complains of bad packaging that could spoil the brush.
- Some sites don’t have a protective cover over the bridles.
- They are very small and delicate. They can be easily bent and splayed.
6. Da Vinci Black Goat Quill Mop
It is more similar to Squirrel hair watercolor brushes. It, however, comes at a fraction of their price. Da Vinci Black Goat Quill Mop is a multipurpose brush that can serve various jobs. It can wash, varnish, imitate, and prime all at the same time. This German brush offers greater value when it is in its larger version.
This generously hand-shaped brush is ideal for oil gilding. It can also be used for gold or metal leaf work. It has certified green manufacturing, and its other best feature is a sustainable wood handle.
Pros
- Certified green manufacturing.
- It has sustainable wooden handles.
- It is ideal for oil gilding and gold and metal leaf work.
- It is generously sized.
- Its pricing is highly favorable.
- Highly absorbent for water and color.
- It makes an excellent mop for wash techniques.
- It is very soft.
Cons
- Its hair falls out a lot.
- Smaller sizes do not have a shape.
7. Isabey Kolinsky Retouch Brush
This product is just great for all your retouching and spotting needs. If you love perfection to detail and precision in your art, this is your brush. Its sharp point will see to that. Besides, you can never go wrong with its shorter hairs. It gives you both maximum control and tends to form a resilient tip.
This craftsmanship also comes with a seamless nickel-plated ferrule. It has a sleek black polished handle that is easy to grip. Its fine tip holds a point and in case of any defects, they can replace your brush with a new one.
Pros
- It gives perfect details and precision.
- It has a sharp precise point.
- Its shorter hairs give you maximum control.
- It has a resilient tip.
- It has a seamless nickel-plated ferrule.
- It has an easy to grip handle.
- It can be returned for replacement.
Cons
- It is on the expensive side.
- Sometimes it comes with two tips making it difficult to use.
8. Inspired Art Paint Brush Set
Intro
These handmade brushes comprise of 15 Filbert brushes, round brushes, flat brushes, rigger brushes and fan brushes of different sizes. The hair bristles are made from a combination of durable sable, hog and goat hair which gives watercolorists excellent performance and control. The ergonomic handles of the brush make the brush feel effortless when it is being used and are incredibly comfortable to hold.
Pros
- The brushes have a lifetime money back guarantee.
- The brushes are versatile and can be used for multiple painting techniques such as gouache, acrylics, and oil painting.
- The bristles hold their shape and spring back.
- The package has an excellent range of brushes.
- The set includes a pop-up stand and storage case that is convenient and makes the brushes easily portable
Cons
- The brushes must be treated with caution as the ferrules sometimes tend to come off from the brush.
9. Virtuoso 15-piece Fine Paint Brush set
Intro
Ergonomically designed for comfort thanks to the short and thick handles, the Virtuoso fine paint brushes were created for watercolorists who want to create exceptional, detailed work. Unlike the regular brushes, the bristles of the Virtuoso brushes are super-fine and precise making it easy to produce the fine lines and intricate details we see on art pieces. These brushes can also be used for techniques such as shading, blending and creating soft strokes. Virtuoso brushes have been made using an innovative anti-shedding bristle technology that secures the bristles to the double crimped metal ferrules. The brushes also work with other mediums such as acrylic, enamel and oil paint.
Pros
- They are affordable.
- The brushes have precision bristle points and are ideal for capturing exquisite, intricate details on art pieces.
- The ferrules are double crimped which makes them very sturdy.
- Considering that the brush bristles are synthetic, the quality of the Virtuoso brushes is high.
Cons
- The brushes are limited in their capacity to make thick brush strokes.
- The bristles are uneven and will occasionally fray
10. D’Artisan Shoppe Maestro Series XV 15-Piece Art Paint Brush Set
Intro
Consisting of 4 flat paint brushes; 1 fan brush; 3 round brushes; 4 filbert brushes; 1 angle brush; 1 rigger brush; and one wide brush the D’artisan Shoppe Maestro brushes offer you creative freedom like no other brush. This is because it can be used with different mediums and is ideal for all types of painting artwork. The bristles consist of a mixture of animal hair and synthetic, but it is almost impossible to notice as they mimic the appearance of soft natural sable and Chungking hog hair. Made by hand, the brushes are designed to give you excellent service as they are durable, easy to clean and the bristles are anti shedding.
Pros
- The brushes by D’Artisan are versatile and can be used for fine, detailed artwork, face painting, and ceramics.
- The hardwood birch handles are super lightweight and offer excellent grip and comfort.
- It is easy to identify the brushes as they have the number and brush shape written on the handles.
- The anodized aluminum ferrules are seamless and extremely durable.
Cons
- They D’Artisan Shoppe Maestro brushes are pricey.
- The brushes are delicate due to their construction material.
11. MEEDEN Professional Sable Hair Detail Paint 7 Brush Set
Intro
Meeden brushes are professional grade brushes made from pure sable hair and are ideal for fine, detailed painting. Consisting of 7 detailing brushes, the brushes feature seamless nickel ferrule and superfine bristles that hold their shape while you work. The handles of the brush are short and triangular and offer artist excellent anti-slip grip and control.
Pros
- Given that the brushes are professional grade brushes, they are reasonably priced and deliver value for your money.
- The performance of the brushes is unmatched as they absorb and distribute paint quite generously.
- They can be used with other mediums and not just watercolors
Cons
- The bristles are not ideal for all artwork techniques as they are quite delicate.
What to Look for When Buying a Watercolor Brush
Choosing the best watercolor brush depends on a number of things. There is a budget to consider, your experience, and above all, the subject matter of your art. You do not want to throw your money on a piece you will not get to use.
For starters, it is good to consider the size of the art you intend to paint. Round brushes are a good choice for more detailed art. If you are up for a heavy-duty painting, perhaps you might want to consider a spotter. It has a lot of similarities to the round brush. The only difference is it has shorter hair which gives you more control and precision.
The versatility of the brush is also of utmost importance. You want your strokes to be broader. Round brushes would be a good pick, but flat brushes aren’t that bad either. This brings us to a very important point. Wash work.
These brushes are similar to flat brushes. It should contain a lot of hair and softer than the mop brushes. Wash work brushes are generally ideal for large washes.
It is always a good idea to consider the handle length of your brush. Watercolor brushes come mostly in both long and short handles. If you are a beginner, you might want to opt for shorter handles. However, longer handles are best suited for professional artists. It gives them more control and the power to determine the strokes.
Final thoughts
When purchasing watercolor brushes, it is essential to remember that a hefty price tag is not always indicative of the brush’s superiority or quality. Many art pieces have been achieved by “cheap” brushes that most artists would be quick to look down upon. The most important thing when choosing a watercolor brush is the watercolor technique you want to implement as well as how natural does the brush feel in your hand. Ideally, you would want the brush to feel as though it was part of your hand and not an additional appendage. This way it glides and flows on your canvas/surface more smoothly.