Shop premium natural hair watercolor brushes for superior control. Our collection features Kolinsky sable brushes and soft squirrel hair watercolor brushes favored by professionals. Order your perfect brush today.
Selecting the Best Natural Hair Watercolor Brushes
Professional artists often prefer natural hair watercolor brushes because of their unique performance characteristics. Unlike synthetic alternatives, a natural bristle paint brush can hold a lot of water and pigment, resulting in longer, smoother strokes.
Sable Hair: Most of the brushes you see here are made from standard sable hair (often red sable or weasel). These are fantastic for daily painting. If you want a professional feel without the premium price tag of Kolinsky, these sable hair watercolor brushes are your best bet.
Kolinsky Sable: They are the ideal sable watercolor brushes for artists who need precision, control, and the versatility to switch from fine details to broader washes in a single stroke.Often considered the best material for watercolor brushes, they offer the perfect balance of snap (resilience) and softness. They are the ideal sable watercolor brushes for artists who need precision, control, and the versatility to switch from fine details to broader washes in a single stroke.
Squirrel Hair: If your style involves loose, expressive washes, a squirrel watercolor brush is the superior choice. Squirrel hair is incredibly soft with very little snap. It holds a massive volume of water, making it perfect for covering large areas of watercolor paper quickly.
Choosing Your Shape
Rounds: The most versatile shape. A high-quality sable hair watercolor brushes round can handle 90% of your painting needs.
Mops: Usually made from squirrel hair, these are essential for background washes and wetting the paper.
Riggers/Liners: Long, thin hairs used for painting branches, wires, and signatures.
Recommendation: Start with a size 8 or 10 sable watercolor brush (standard) for general work, and perhaps a ceramic palettefor mixing. Add a squirrel mop for washes later. If you are ready to treat yourself, upgrade to a Kolinsky sable hair brush for your main detail tool.
Whether you need the precision of Kolinsky sable or the flow of squirrel hair, our collection ensures you have the right tool for every technique.
FAQs
Q: Why are Natural Hair Watercolor Brushes Better Than Synthetic?
A: Natural hair has a structure that holds significantly more water and paint. This allows for longer, fluid strokes without frequent reloading, which is essential for smooth watercolor techniques.
Q: What is the Difference Between Sable and Kolinsky Brushes?
A: Kolinsky sable brushes come from a specific species in cold climates, offering the best snap and point. "Red Sable" is generally softer with less snap but is still a high-quality natural option.
Q: How Do I Care for My Natural Bristle Paint Brush?
A: Rinse thoroughly after use. Use a gentle brush soap and reshape the bristles with your fingers. Lay them flat to dry. Never leave them soaking in water, as this damages the handle and hair.
Q: Is a Squirrel Watercolor Brush Good for Beginners?
A: Squirrel brushes are excellent for learning wet-in-wet techniques because they hold so much water. However, they can be harder to control than sable because they lack "snap" or springiness.
Q: Do These Brushes Work with Acrylics?
A: We generally advise against it. Acrylic paint can be harsh and dry quickly, potentially damaging delicate sable hair watercolor brushes. It is best to keep these reserved for watercolor and gouache.
