Ready to create? View our high-quality watercolor brushes and professional watercolor brush set. Whether you're a beginner or a professional, our collection includes natural hair, synthetic, and Chinese calligraphy brushes to help you express your creativity.
Understanding the material is the first step in building your kit.
Natural Hair Brushes: Valued by many professional artists, natural hair brushes (like sable and squirrel) have an excellent ability to hold large amounts of water and pigment. They are perfect for precise work and smooth gradients because they produce lovely, flowing washes and fine points. Despite their cost, they are frequently regarded as the best brushes for watercolor painting because of their effectiveness.
Synthetic Hair Brushes: Made from nylon or other synthetic materials, these brushes are a fantastic choice for beginners. They are inexpensive, long-lasting, and simple to maintain. They may not be as water-resistant as natural brushes, but they have great spring and shape retention. For those who are new to watercolor painting, they are an excellent place to start.
Chinese Calligraphy Brushes: These versatile tools offer a unique feel. A calligraphy brush are excellent at producing dynamic strokes, expressive lines, and ink-like effects because they are traditionally made from natural animal hair. For artists who want to use traditional techniques and distinctive textures in their work, they are ideal.
Choose the Brush Shapes
While watercolor brushes specialty shapes abound, these core types cover most watercolor techniques:
Round: The versatile workhorse. Offers a fine point for details and a ample belly for washes.
Mop: Big and soft with high water capacity; ideal for laying down large, smooth washes.
Flat: Excellent for broad strokes, straight edges, and lifting paint.
Rigger (Liner): Features long, thin bristles designed for continuous fine lines, branches, and lettering.
Filbert (Oval): A hybrid shape (flat with a rounded tip), perfect for blending and creating soft edges.
Fan: Best for dry brush textures, grass effects, and smoothing.
Choosing the Perfect Size
Brush sizes are numbered: lower numbers for details, higher for coverage. Flat brushes are measured by width (e.g., 1/2").
Small (Sizes 0–4): Perfect for intricate work like thin lines, eyes, and fine textures.
Medium (Sizes 5–8): The versatile workhorses. A Size #8 Round is widely considered the "Goldilocks" brush—large enough to hold a wash yet sharp enough for details.
Large (Sizes 10+): Essential for broad washes, skies, and covering large backgrounds quickly due to their high water retention.
Tip: A well-rounded kit typically includes one of each category.
Watercolor Brushes for Every Artist
Brushes For Beginners: Start with a few basic synthetic round and flat brushes. Most of your needs can be met with a set of three brushes: a flat brush for washes, a medium round for general painting, and a small round for details. Our beginner watercolor brushes provide a perfect balance of quality and value.
Brushes For Professionals: Think about spending money on premium natural hair brushes. You can accomplish a wide range of complex techniques with a variety of brushes in different sizes, such as fine-tipped brushes for details and a large mop brush for washes. Look through our Ultimate Collection or Artist Signature Series to find the tools that meet your standards.
Q1: How Do I Properly Clean and Care for My Watercolor Brushes?
A: Always rinse your brushes in cool water immediately after use—never let pigment dry in the bristles. Avoid leaving them head-down in water, as this bends the tip. Properly cleaning your watercolor brushes to keep them performing like new.
Q2: How Often Should I Deep Clean My Watercolor Brushes?
A:You don't need to deep clean daily. A simple rinse works for most sessions. However, if you notice pigment buildup near the ferrule or stiff bristles, it’s time for a gentle soap wash.
Q3: How Do I Reshape Bent Watercolor Brush Bristles?
A: Don't panic! Dip the brush in gum arabic or warm water, gently reshape it with your fingers, and let it dry vertically (bristles down) or flat. This simple trick usually restores the snap.
Q4: When Should I Replace My Watercolor Brushes?
A: When the bristles no longer hold a sharp point, or if hairs start shedding onto your artwork despite proper care. If you don't want to throw it away, you can use it for dirty jobs such as applying masking fluid.
Q5: What are the Essential Types of Watercolor Brushes for Beginners?
A: Start simple. You don't need a full set yet. A medium Round brush (Size 6 or 8) and a Flat wash brush cover 90% of techniques. As you progress, you can expand your toolkit.
Q6: What Brush Shapes are Best for Detailed Work in Watercolor?
A: For fine details, a "Round" brush with a sharp point or a "Rigger" (Liner) is essential. The belly holds the paint while the tip delivers it. However, the anatomy of the brush matters—a good ferrule ensures that fine point stays stable while you paint intricate lines.
Q7: What Factors Contribute to the Price of a Watercolor Brush?
A: The primary factor is the hair. Rare natural hairs like Kolinsky Sable are harder to source than nylon. Additionally, the craftsmanship is assembled and glued—dictates longevity.
Let customers speak for us
from 2866 reviews
Fabulous col
Fabulous colors in this set. Great quality as always.
I really liked this brush. It was a little different than the watercolor brushes I normally use, but as I used it, i really liked the way it performed. I will definitely be reaching for it when I paint.
