Watercolor Brushes

Does what watercolor brushes you use actually matter?

Is one type better than the other? Is a round what you need, but what size? Or should you be using a flat brush?

What about bristle type? Should you be using sable or synthetic?

I’m here to tell you that your watercolor paint brushes actually do matter. Prior to my first watercolor class at a local art center I went with a supply list and just bought a bag of brushes. The brush set was relatively cheap.

As I attempted to paint with these brushes ALL the bristles fell out into my paint so I’m here to tell you that brush type does matter. You don’t have to spend a lot, but I thought I’d share the brushes I use the most and some of my favorites.

I also created a video to share the type of brush strokes you can create with each brush and I’ve put it at the end of this post! Let me know if this was helpful. It’s the first video I’ve done with voice over. 😉

Update – this post has been updated May 22nd 2024 to reflect some new brushes I’ve added to my favorites.

What Watercolor Brushes are Worth Investing In?

I have LOTS and LOTS of paint brushes but really you only need a handful.

I’m excited to share exactly what brushes I use the most.

Round Watercolor Brush

I mostly use round watercolor brushes. I feel comfortable with them – I can paint bigger areas using the bigger side of the brush but can also paint fine details using the point. While taking botanical illustration classes I enjoyed the size 4 and and 6 round brush Rosemary & Co Kolinksy Sable SER 33 that were sable but since then I’ve been using and loving Princeton’s Velvetouch Collection. I mostly use size 4 and 6 but also have an 8, a 10, and a 12 in this. I actually painted a lot of the brushes in the watercolor illustration with a size 10. They say use the biggest brush you feel comfortable with.

You can see the Velvetouch round brush in this image of my viola wreath:

I recently started using the da Vinci Watercolor Series 11 Maestro Paint Brush, Fuller English Round Kolinsky Red Sable, Size 3 and the size 4. These brushes are sable and will hold a lot of paint. They also have a nice point but you can use the belly of the brush to paint, too. They are more expensive than the the Velvetouch ranging in price between $28 – $34 per brush (These are not shown in the video brushes).

Flat Brushes

Flat brushes are great to have in your collection of brushes. They are wonderful for layering water if you want to do a wet on wet technique, but also great to create a wash of color on the paper. In the video I show an example of a flat wash and a gradiant wash. This is great for skies or backgrounds.

I have Cotman Aquarelle flat brushes, but I will say I don’t use this brush as much as the round brushes.

Squirrel Mop Brush

This is a favorite brush of mine. I’ve had it now for probably six years and I use it a lot. The brush is squirrel hair and holds a lot of water and paint so you can really paint lots with this brush. It’s quite versatile as it holds so much paint. You can do details, big brush strokes, and paint large areas. It is quite expensive which is why I only have one. I think the brush cost me $40.

I’ve used this brush for countless paintings including the flop eared bunny:

Lines and Detail Brushes

Over time I’ve added to my brushes and a script liner brush is great for creating wispy grasses or waves and a small detail brush is perfect for adding small details to flowers, eggs, or fur to an animal.

I have this liner and this detail brush from this series of Blick Brushes.

What is the difference between Sable and Synthetic brushes?

A huge difference is the price. The squirrel mop brush is made out of squirrel hair.

Sable brushes usually hold more paint and water and have a bigger belly to be able to hold the paint. Synthetic brushes can sometimes mix in sable or they can be all synthetic made from man-made fibers, they are often called Taklon or Syn-Sable. See Princeton Artist Brush Company for a more detailed comparison and more on types of brushes.

How to Care for Your Brushes

• Never leave them standing in water – it will ruin the brush
• Always wash them with warm soapy water and allow them to dry
• For brush soap I really like the Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver
• You might like keeping them in a brush organizer or bamboo holder.

Watercolor Brushes – A Video of my Favorites

I’ve created this little video in real time to share with you some of my favorite brushes!

Shop This Post

• Velvetouch Brushes
• Squirrel Mop Brush Size 2
• Flat Brushes
• Detail Brushes and liner brushes
• Davinci Maestro

*oftentimes, Blick has a brush sale – the more you buy the more you save!

More on Watercolor

• What Watercolor Paper is Right for You?
• Painting Watercolor Seascapes
• Painting a Watercolor Flower
• Must Have Watercolor Supplies
• My Favorite Creative Tools

Let’s Keep in Touch

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