The watercolor brush can be used for many purposes, such as watercolor, acrylic color, or oil color. Choosing the right brush depends on many factors: how much you can pay, your level, your type of painting, or your surface.
You will have all the necessary brushes you need to create your artworks or painting projects while also don’t need to spend too much on your art supplies by investing the best set of watercolor brushes.
In general, like other paint tools, choosing a set of the watercolor brush is up to personal preference, but it also needs to follow appropriate criteria to ensure the quality. Therefore, in this article, I will share with you useful information about the top best watercolor brushes and how to choose the right product for yourself. Let’s join!
Choose The Best Watercolor Brushes For The Best Artwork!
After paper, paintbrushes are the second most essential tool in the artwork. A good set of watercolor brushes will have more advantages than you thought.
- You need to invest in the best watercolor brushes because they will last for a long time with a large number of paintings.
- Watercolor brushes are very unusual because of the softness. They can be used on almost materials from raw to hard, such as canvas, rock or walls, etc.
- Watercolors brushes come with many sizes for you to choose freely to meet your painting need.
- Bring standard and sharp brushstrokes to every detail in your artwork.
- Brushes can also save your watercolor because they only take suitable amount and can paint on a large surface.
- Having a good set of brushes means you are already half successful with your artwork!
- Can be a perfect gift in any accasion for your friends and family members.
Types Of Watercolor Brushes (The Shape)
Watercolor brushes come in a wide range of types, I’ve also been confused with these types and shapes. So I will help you to clarify by the following synthesis.
Round, Flat: are the two most popular brush types, and also the most important because they are so handy that they can be used on almost artwork and surface. Every painter must have round and flat brushes.
Flat, Mop, Fan, Filbert, Bright, Angle: are brushes that usually used to wash. The wash brushes should be large and can hold plenty of water and color. Therefore, these brushes are designed to suit a variety of wash styles.
Rigger, Spotter: are two types of brushes are used, especially in detail painting. Brushes for detail painting has a sharp point and high flexibility to accommodate small details. Sometimes, you can also use a small round brush to draw details.
If you are still confused about the types of watercolor brushes, you can watch this video to be clarified:
Watercolor Brush Vs. Watercolor Brush Pen
The names of these two art tools can make you confused. However, they are completely different.
Watercolor brush pens have water-soluble ink in the body to create color on the painting. With watercolor brush pens, you don’t need to use any other art types. All you really have to do is to open the lid, add some water if you need and paint or color your painting.
You don’t have to set up tons of tubes with watercolor brush pens or several clean brushes. All you really have to do is open their caps, dip them in some water if you like, and paint them away.
Watercolor brushes are just a tool to paint color on your picture. You need both a color type and brushes to create a painting. Therefore, drawing with watercolor brushes can be more expensive than with a pen. But using a set of brushes makes your painting more vivid and professional.
Which Is The Best Choice Of Watercolor Brushes?
It seems so tough to choose which is the best watercolor brush because each set has its own salient features. Transon and Dainayw are both brands with luxury designs, while Blue Squid often features convenient sets, and products of BOSOBO have an affordable price for everyone.
For your reference, I will bring you the top best products of watercolor brushes with their most outstanding features below. Let’s go!
- Best Overall: Blue Squid Set of 12 pcs Watercolor Brushes
“High-quality artist brushes. Comfortable to hold. Wide handles. Easy to control and grip. A perfect range of sizes and shapes.” - Best Budget: BOSOBO Set of 10 pcs Watercolor Brushes
“Set of 10 sturdy brushes. Can be widely used for many purposes. Nylon hair resists shedding. Simple to clean in warm water.” - Best for Beginners: Marrywindix Set of 9pcs Watercolor Brushes
“Durable set of 9 brushes. Come in various sizes. Comfortable body for easy holding. Easy and smooth to draw. Not harm to children’s health.” - Best for Professionals: Transon Set of 17 pcs Watercolor Brushes
“Sturdy and compact packaging. Beautiful design. Multi-purpose knife. Versatile set of watercolor brushes. Practical for painting.” - Best for Students: Picorso Set 12 pcs Watercolor Brushes
“Perfect set for art class. Simple to keep brushes organized. Anti-shedding hair. Easy to control. Create fine lines. Long wooden handles.” - Best for Intermediate: Transon Set of 12 pcs Watercolor Brushes
“Wide-range set of paintbrushes. Come in 12 different sizes. Made of high-grade materials. Suitable for many different media.” - Best for Hand Lettering: DunGu Set of 12 pcs Watercolor Brushes
“Include 12 assorted paintbrushes. Come in a wide range of shapes. Best for watercolor and oil paint. A wonderful gift for family members.” - Best for Procreate: Princeton Set of 5 pcs Watercolor Brushes
“Convenient set of watercolor brushes. Mixed hair. Can work well with oil, acrylic, and watercolor paint. Nice and comfort handle.” - Best for Details: Golden Maple Set of 10 pcs Watercolor Brushes
“Wooden handles. Handy tube to protect brushes. The right tool for artwork. Ideal for detail painting. Feature standard length handles.” - Best for Gouache: Mont Marte Set of 15 pcs Watercolor Brushes
“Ideal set of paintbrushes. Versatile in different sizes. Come in an elegantly made zippered holder. Breakage-resistant and long handles.” - Best for Fine Lines: Marrywindix Set of 9pcs Watercolor Brushes
“Easy to tint during painting. Not easy for hair loss. Can be reused after washing. Dry quickly. Smooth, chic body. Durable handles on your hands.” - Best for Wood: OOKU Set 8 pcs Watercolor Brushes
“High-quality watercolor brushes. Bring a superior finish. Comfortable to use and carry. Lightweight product. Suitable for both beginners and professionals.” - Best for Oil Paint: Artbrush Tower Set of 7 pcs Watercolor Brushes
“Stylish wood color. Double crimped ferrules. Consistent hair length. Comfortable handles. Durable and long-lasting. Easy to control and paint.” - Best for Acrylic Paint: Grace Art Set of 12 pcs Watercolor Brushes
“Durable and lightweight set of 12 watercolor brushes. Long wooden handles. Feature nice effect when finishing. Basic round and flat shape.” - Best for Watercolor Paint: Dainayw Set of 4 pcs Watercolor Brushes
“Professional quality brushes. Perfect size and shape. Allow for full strokes. Ideal for creating beautiful artwork. Packed in an elegant black gift box.”
Top 15 Best Watercolor Brushes Comparison Chart 2022
To know the basic differences between those products, follow the list of best watercolor brushes comparison table of my selective synthesis.
Top Best Watercolor Brushes Reviews 2022
Size, shape, and hair are important standards to decide which is the best paintbrush for you. Take a look at this list of the best watercolor brushes reviews to find the perfect art tool!
1. Blue Squid Set of 12 pcs Watercolor Brushes
(Best Overall)
With these watercolor brushes of artist quality, you can create a lot of beautiful paintings in watercolor, acrylic, or oil paint. They are extremely comfortable to hold in hand with their durable handles providing optimum control and grip.
This set of brushes uses the highest quality with non-shedding nylon hair to ensure that they will bring the fine points for your painting. Besides, the ferrules are made of aluminum that absolutely prevents corrosion or contamination, making them the ideal set of a paintbrush for painting.
In addition, the set contains a wide range of shapes such as round, angular, filbert, fan, glaze, and flat with sharp tips that will bring fine points and are compatible with all types of drawing.
Key Features:
- Durable handles
- Non-shedding nylon hair
- Lifetime money-back guarantee
- Rust-resistant ferrules
- Perfect art brushes for painting
Pros
- Comfortable in hand
- Ideal for many types of art
- Come in a wide range of shape
- Can last for many years
Cons
- The ferrules start loose after using it for a long time
- The set is not suitable for large and rough surfaces
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Blue Squid |
| Number of brushes | 12 |
| Packaging | Cardboard box |
| Shape | Round, angular, filbert, fan, glaze, comb, and flat |
| Overall length | 7 – 7.0 inches |
| Hair material | Nylon |
2. BOSOBO Set of 10 pcs Watercolor Brushes
(Best Budget)
Each brush in the set from BOSOBO was built with three sturdy parts: anti-shedding hair, durable ferrules, and solid wooden handles. The synthetic nylon hairs are smooth and thick, will bring the perfect stroke to your painting. Besides, the hair is tightly sealed in an aluminum ferrule that will keep the form of brush hair.
This collection of art brushes is convenient to clean and organize in the box. The brush hair can be washed easily with warm water and reprocessed with your fingertips. After cleaning, the hair will also dry quickly for the nest time use.
With the affordable price, this set is an ideal art tool for students and beginners or anyone who want to try with art. If you have any concerns about your purchasing, you can easily contact the manufacturer, so you can order this item confidently.
Key Features:
- Ten different sizes
- Long and sturdy wooden handles
- Anti-rust nickel ferrules
- Reasonable price
Pros
- Features a variety of shapes
- Create thick strokes and fine details
- Easy to clean and reshape
- Come in soft and thick hair
- Bring smooth finish
Cons
- The packaging of nylon is not eco-friendly
- The hair in the #2 and #3 sometimes sheds
Product Specifications:
| Brand | BOSOBO |
| Number of brushes | 10 |
| Packaging | Nylon bag |
| Shape | Round, angular, filbert, flat and liner |
| Overall length | 6.9 – 7.7 inches |
| Hair material | Nylon |
For more images about this set of BOSOBO watercolor brushes, click this link here:
3. Marrywindix Set of 9pcs Watercolor Brushes
(Best for Beginners)
The collection of brushes contains nine high-grade brushes of a lot of sizes in round shape. With the paintbrushes of various sizes, you can use various different colors to make the painting more distinctive and colorful.
Besides, you can also combine different colors to draw freely.
These watercolor brushes in the collection are all made of high-quality nylon hair and a sturdy handle to ensure comfort. The package with a strong tube helps the brush always stand to avoid the damage.
All brushes all come in round shape – the most popular shape for a paintbrush, making it the ideal set for the beginners. The round pointed shape is convenient to clean and simple to draw, bring the convenience and great experience for beginners in painting.
Key Features:
- 9 flexible brushes
- Top-grade materials
- Smooth wooden body
- Round point tips
- Convenient to clean
Pros
- Dry quickly
- Suitable for students and beginners
- Widely application
- Safe for face or body painting
Cons
- The brushes in this set only come in round shape
- The set is more suitable for watercolor than acrylic paint
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Marrywindix |
| Number of brushes | 9 |
| Packaging | Tube |
| Shape | Round |
| Overall length | 6.5 – 7.5 inches |
| Hair material | Nylon |
4. Transon Set of 17 pcs Watercolor Brushes
(Best for Professionals)
This Transon brush kit features 15 various painting brushes, a mixing knife, and a sponge. All are ready for you to start your painting. Moreover, this set is kept carefully and packed in a beautiful brush organizer, making it simple to bring everywhere.
With numerous brush shapes, including flat, light, filbert, round, fan, etc., this set can cover many different painting purposes. The brushes are ideal for body painting and general painting with watercolor or oil.
This brush set is designed with premium synthetic bristle and durable handles to bring a smooth finish. With great quality and luxurious design, this set will easily conquer any professional artist.
Key Features:
- Perfect set of watercolor brushes
- One palette included
- One sponge included
- Easy-to-grip handles
- One knife included
- One sponge included
Pros
- Protected carefully in a brush organizer
- Ideal set for a gift
- Suitable for advanced artists
- Elegantly designed brushes
Cons
- The brushes are a bit stiff
- The set is expensive for low-budget people
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Transon |
| Number of brushes | 15 |
| Packaging | Brush organizer |
| Shape | Flat, bright, filbert, round, liner, comb, fan, angled. |
| Overall length | 7.7 – 8.9 inches |
| Hair material | Nylon |
5. Picorso Set 12 pcs Watercolor Brushes
(Best for Students)
This art kit includes one package of 12 brushes, a color palette, and a multi-purpose carrying case as a bonus. With a convenient case, you can store the set simple and make it the best art set for students to bring the classroom.
For the highest quality, the brush handles are made of natural wood, and the hair is made from nylon. When using the brushes, the handle will be durable in your hand, and the hair will not shed.
Plus, short handles with a smooth finish are also easy to grip for excellent controlling for fine details. After using, you can clean the brushes easily with warm water, no need any other detergent.
Key Features:
- Set of 12 brushes
- Sturdy carry case
- Clean up easily with water
- Professional quality
- One paint palette included
Pros
- Protected carefully in a brush organizer
- Come with a bonus color palette
- Easy to store and bring school
- Ideal for using at home and at art class
- Long handles for easy holding
Cons
- The carry case is not easy to wash
- The handles are a bit small for adults
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Picorso |
| Number of brushes | 12 |
| Packaging | Carry case |
| Shape | Flat, filbert, angle, round, liner |
| Overall length | 6.5 – 7.68 inches |
| Hair material | Nylon |
6. Transon Set of 12 pcs Watercolor Brushes
(Best for Intermediate)
The set has 12 pieces of art brushes, includes a wide range of assorted brushes: flat, round, liner, or angle, giving you unlimited choices for your painting. Besides, the brushes come in dual-color nylon hair, bring an elegant look for the set.
The ergonomic handles with medium size are suitable for all users, from beginners to professionals, especially intermediates. The design of the brush is also a plus; with the cold black and high-quality aluminum ferrule, the brush has an impressive appearance.
After cleaning with warm water of soap, the hair can reshape gently and dry quickly for the next use. When you are invited to a birthday party and don’t know what to choose as a gift, think about this set.
Key Features:
- 12 hand-crafted brushes
- High-grade nylon hair
- Ergonomic and smooth handle
- Ideal size for any user
Pros
- Bring smooth paint finish
- Works with different media
- Feature high-grade aluminum ferrules
- Can carry a large number of paints
Cons
- The brushes are a bit tough on oil paint
- The handles are a little long
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Transon |
| Number of brushes | 12 |
| Packaging | Cardboard box |
| Shape | Flat, filbert, angle, round, liner |
| Overall length | 8.15 – 9 inches |
| Hair material | Nylon |
7. DunGu Set of 12 pcs Watercolor Brushes
(Best for Hand Lettering)
The packaging of DunGu watercolor brushes includes 12 different brushes and also comes with a palette for makes mixing color. Plus, the carry case is easy to carry and has a beautiful performance to be a gift idea for your friends and family members.
The tips are made skillful for many purposes, allow you to perform precisely detailed work and art painting to reach tight spots or small points, reasonable for hand lettering. All items in the set work well with oil, acrylic, or any type of painting.
These brushes in the collection are made of sturdy synthetic nylon bristles, gold ferrules, and solid wooden handles, so you don’t need to worry about paint flaking or hair-shedding. Enjoy long time use with this set!
Key Features:
- 12 assorted watercolor paintbrushes
- One palette included
- Long time use
- 60 days money-back guarantee
- One paint palette included
Pros
- Work well with oil paint, watercolor paint
- Suitable for both wide surface and fine details
- Easy to maintain
- Compact packaging for easy to carry
Cons
- The palette is a little thin
- The set has a higher price than others
Product Specifications:
| Brand | DunGu |
| Number of brushes | 12 |
| Packaging | Carry case |
| Shape | Flat, filbert, angle, round, liner, fan |
| Overall length | 7.5 – 8.6 inches |
| Hair material | Nylon |
8. Princeton Set of 5 pcs Watercolor Brushes
(Best for Procreate)
This Princeton set of 5 watercolor brushes contains three mixed media artist brushes featuring a blue sturdy handle with satin-finish and silver ferrule. These brushes can be suitable for acrylic, watercolor, or oil, offering the artist unlimited experimentation and production choices.
With the combination of synthetic and natural hair, the brushes bring the finest point for procreating. The common round shape is also ideal for the usual types of painting.
Key Features:
- Set of 5 durable brushes
- Combine of synthetic and natural hair
- Round brushes
- Artist-quality set
Pros
- Simple to wash with warm water
- Create fine detail
- Smooth hair resists shedding
- Compact box for easy to bring anywhere
Cons
- The set only has five brushes
- The brushes are not suitable for a wide surface
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Princeton |
| Number of brushes | 5 |
| Packaging | Cardboard box |
| Shape | Round |
| Overall length | 6.9 – 7.7 inches |
| Hair material | Synthetic and natural |
9. Golden Maple Set of 10 pcs Watercolor Brushes
(Best for Details)
The set features ten pieces of Golden Maple brushes in different shapes to ensure you have the correct brush for your artwork. This collection of extensive brushes provides the perfect detailing paintbrush for every step of all your painting projects.
The set is a great choice for some kind of detail, perfect for face painting, and works well in miniatures. The wooden handle is made in a triangular shape that is easy to grip, making you feel relaxed and safe when holding.
These miniature watercolor brushes are protected in a durable tube, which is useful enough to keep the brushes in shape all the time.
Key Features:
- Ten miniature brushes
- Easy-grip triangular shape handles
- Protective sturdy tube
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
Pros
- Perfect for detailed work
- Comfortable and secure when holding
- Work great on many surfaces
- Easy to keep shape after using
Cons
- The brushes don’t work well on rough materials such as stone or ceramic
- The set has a high price
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Golden Maple |
| Number of brushes | 10 |
| Packaging | Tube |
| Shape | Round |
| Overall length | 6.5 – 7.8 inches |
| Hair material | Nylon |
10. Mont Marte Set of 15 pcs Watercolor Brushes
(Best for Gouache)
This set of Mont Marte comes with 15 brushes in various sizes from 3/0 to 12. They are great for all levels of artists, from beginners to professional artists. The long handles of paintbrushes will be perfect for you if you are looking for a well-made set of brushes for gouache.
The product is a perfect addition to your art tool collection. The paintbrushes are handmade with Taklon hair and high-grade ferrules to ensure that your work is not ruined by any bristles lost. The handle is made of wood and will not be bent or broken even for long time use.
The package is a beautiful zippered cover that could potentially be a great gift to family and friends for special occasions. The purchasing is also great with the convenient case to bring outdoor but still hold the paintbrushes organized and safe.
Key Features:
- 15 different sizes of watercolor brushes
- Professional quality
- Long-handle brushes
- Thick and smooth hair
Pros
- Ideal for every level
- Suitable for various types of painting
- Easy for carrying outside
- Wonderful gift on any occasion
Cons
- The hair sometimes is bent easily, so you should keep the brushes organized on the case
- The zipper is a little tough to close
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Mont Marte |
| Number of brushes | 15 |
| Packaging | Zippered holder |
| Shape | Flat, filbert, angle, round, liner, fan |
| Overall length | 7.3 – 9.0 inches |
| Hair material | Taklon |
11. Marrywindix Set of 9pcs Watercolor Brushes
(Best for Fine Lines)
The collection of brushes contains nine brushes of various sizes from 0 to 16, with round tips. Paintbrushes of various sizes for easy to use various colors to make the painting distinctive and colorful. Plus, you can combine different colors to draw all the ideas flashed in your mind.
To make beautiful works of art, artists must use the best paintbrushes. Marrywindix watercolor brushes are the ideal choice to create fine lines with smooth tips and an odorless body of chic wood. You will feel relaxed when touching and holding these brushes because they will not harm your hands.
These brushes are not only easy to draw but also convenient to clean. If you want to wash the brushes, just clean them with water, and dry them in a cool place.
Key Features:
- Nine flat point paintbrushes
- Shinny and uniform color hair
- Durable and washable
- Smooth body
- Super long handles
Pros
- Various size for mixing various color
- Comfortable touching and holding
- Easy to dry
- Safe for body painting
- Ideal for creating fine lines
Cons
- The set only comes with flat shape brushes
- The hair is a little too soft and long
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Marrywindix |
| Number of brushes | 9 |
| Packaging | Tube |
| Shape | Flat |
| Overall length | 10.98 – 13 inches |
| Hair material | Nylon |
12. OOKU Set 8 pcs Watercolor Brushes
(Best for Wood)
OOKU set of watercolor brushes comes with eight brushes and a bonus repair card. The set has many brushes, in different sizes, including small and large, round and flat, for the best effect on the painting.
The brush hair is fitted with high-quality aluminum ferrules and wood handles to ensure anti-shedding when working on wood. These brushes are long-lasting and are meant to be robust and easy to clean. With the outstanding finish, the set is ideal for getting the job done quickly.
The wooden handle is lightweight and easy to carry. With excellent performance, the brush handle allows for the highest quality control, ideal for comfort to use for acrylics, or watercolor, body, and face painting.
Key Features:
- Eight watercolor brushes
- Hand-picked synthetic bristles
- Durable wood handles
- 100% risk-free purchase
- One repair card included
Pros
- Come with one repair card
- Easy to hold and control
- A perfect addition to painting supplies
- Lightweight brushes for simple to carry
Cons
- The length of the handle is too long for children
- The physical size is a bit too big
Product Specifications:
| Brand | OOKU |
| Number of brushes | 8 |
| Packaging | Wool wrap organizer |
| Shape | Flat, round |
| Overall length | ~ 9.5 inches |
| Hair material | Nylon |
13. Artbrush Tower Set of 7 pcs Watercolor Brushes
(Best for Oil Paint)
If you are looking for a perfect set of brushes for painting on canvas, on paper, etc. with oil, you won’t want to ignore this set from Artbrush Tower. With this set of 7 pieces, you will have a lot of fun with oil paint.
With the comfortable, sturdy, medium handles, the set will give your hand the finest power for painting. All these brushes are all in round shape and come in size from 000 to 4, making it easy to move on any surface.
The set has an affordable price and are sold worldwide; you can easily buy this item and enjoy the great feeling it brings.
Key Features:
- Seven pieces of watercolor brushes
- Premium quality
- Short wood handle
- Anti-shedding nylon hair
Pros
- Perfect for oil paint
- Ideal gift for art lovers
- Precision point for detail painting
- Can last longer
Cons
- The set is not suitable for large surfaces
- The brushes are only in the round shape
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Artbrush Tower |
| Number of brushes | 7 |
| Packaging | Box |
| Shape | Round |
| Overall length | 7.9 inches |
| Hair material | Nylon |
14. Grace Art Set of 12 pcs Watercolor Brushes
(Best for Acrylic Paint)
To acrylic paint, you need to choose the right set of brushes with the synthetic hair and wood handles for bringing the best result on the painting. The set of 12 watercolor brushes from Grace Art is a great suggestion I can give you.
With 12 different sizes in two shapes of flat and round, you won’t have to worry about the lack of brush when drawing.
The wooden handles are sturdy and strong enough to hold. With the medium size, you will feel comfortable when holding them, even for a long time. Although the set is not packaged beautifully, it is very affordable. Anyone can own this set for their need, and so do you.
Key Features:
- 12 round and flat assorted brushes
- Silver ferrule
- Sturdy wood handles
- Great price
Pros
- Perfect for watercolor paint
- Suitable for all ages
- Can take an amount of paint
- Come in 6 sizes for each shape
Cons
- The packaging is not eye-catching
- The wooden handle will be absorbent easily
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Grace Art |
| Number of brushes | 12 |
| Packaging | Nylon bag |
| Shape | Round, flat |
| Overall length | 8.0 – 8.3 inches |
| Hair material | Synthetic |
Watch this video, and you will receive a review about this set of Grace Art watercolor brushes:
15. Dainayw Set of 4 pcs Watercolor Brushes
(Best for Watercolor Paint)
If I can choose the set with the most eye-catching design in this list, I will definitely choose this set from Dainayw. With the elegant black gift box, this set is an ideal choice to be a perfect gift for friends, artists, and anyone who loves painting.
This brush hair is made of squirrel and horsehair, making it one of the best-grade items in art tools. With the high-end hair, the brushes can retain and release large quantities of color with perfect control; they also keep watercolor perfectly for the best watercolor paint.
Although it only comes with four pieces at a rather high price, this set is still a choice of many buyers. The product has a perfect size, and the brush point makes complete strokes across the canvas, perfect for making beautiful paintings.
Key Features:
- High-grade paintbrush
- Squirrel hair and horsehair
- Elegant box for a perfect gift
- Satisfaction guarantee
Pros
- Can hold amounts of color
- Easy to control
- Ideal for watercolor and acrylic paint
- Reasonable length of the handle
Cons
- The product is expensive
- This set only has four brushes
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Dainayw |
| Number of brushes | 4 |
| Packaging | Box |
| Shape | Round |
| Overall length | 7.87 inches |
| Hair material | Squirrel and horse |
How To Choose The Best Watercolor Brushes?
Choosing the best brushes depends on many factors. For the best result, I will consider all the important factors below.
You can also watch this video for more information for your consultation about how to choose a good watercolor brush set:
The Type (The Shape)
When choosing brushes, think about the brush shape that you want first. As I mentioned in this article, there are some main types of brushes on the market, such as a round brush, flat brush, fan brush, etc.
If you are a newbie and don’t know where to start, then round and flat shapes are the best choice. As you gain more experience and want to develop more on your paintings, other choices like a fan or angle brushes will be useful assistants for you.
The Size
There are a lot of options when you choose brush sizes. Sufficient brush sizes are usually between 0000 and 50. It just depends on what you want to paint. However, you will certainly want to base on the fundamentals:
- 000, 00, #0: Mini size, in accordance with detailed painting.
- #1 – #4: Small size and suitable for painting small pieces and portraits.
- #5 – #10: Medium size, works great on an artwork, adapts well to all surfaces.
- #11 – #18: Large size, great for big artwork.
- #20 up: Super large size, ideal for painting large walls
The size of the brush also depends on the type of brush and the manufacturer. Normally, if you buy brushes from reputable brands, these brands will have brush size parameters, making it easier for you to choose a reasonable size.
The Hair Material
After deciding the type and the size of the brushes that you want to use, then you need to see what type of hair you want. The hair is a very important factor affecting the performance and cost of the brushes.
Natural hair
Of all the natural brush hairs, undoubtedly, the most expensive one is Sable. Otherwise, there are also many other natural hairs, such as Squirrel, Goat, and Horse; These bristles are suitable to make wash brushes. Ox hair is suitable for making a flat brush.
Artificial hair
Artificial hair will be cheaper than natural hair. They are also durable and low-maintenance. But artificial hair is usually not as good as natural hair, creating irregular color and keeping the fine point as well as natural hair. Some common types of artificial hairs are Nylon, Synthetic, and Taklon.
The Handle
A good brush will not only create fine points for your painting but also bring a comfortable feeling in hand. Long ergonomic handles guarantee comfort and balance when you are painting. Some other handles with the shorter design are made for fine detail painting.
The Set
For the convenience of buyers, manufacturers have a variety of sets suitable for a wide variety of paintings. These sets are packaged from 4 to 20 pieces in many different sizes and shapes. If you are a beginner, then the sets with 6-12 pieces will be right for you, before you decide to invest in a more professional set.
The Brand
If you do not want to buy fake or poor-quality brushes, buying from famous brands is always the criteria that you need to keep in mind. I have a few suggestions for you here.
Blue Squid is a well-known brand for high-grade quality products at affordable prices. The brushes are also designed for all types of art, such as watercolor, oil, or acrylic paint. You will easily find a set that you like from this brand.
BOSOBO: If you’re new to painting and want to try with brushes, BOSOBO is the brand you should think about. The products are usually very reasonable prices, suitable for students with art classes at school.
Transon: And if you are a professional artist, and want to find yourself a high-quality brush with elegant design, Transon is a suitable suggestion that I bring for you. The set from Transon has a higher price than other brands on the market, but the brushes are of the right quality for the money you spend.
Dainayw often comes with brush sets with luxurious design, suitable as gifts on special occasions. However, these items are also expensive, so they are much more suitable for professionals.
Clean Your Brushes Regularly!
After each use, the hair will stick a lot of colors, and very difficult to wash off when it dried. Therefore, if you don’t want your brushes to be damaged after a period of use, get in the habit of washing them regularly.
The easiest way to clean your brushes is possible with a gentle soap. Verify that your soap is of a mild kind so as not to damage the hair and maintain the shape of the brush tip.
If you don’t have milk soap, you can clean your brushes with warm water. Remember, just warm water because cold water will not be enough to remove excess color, and hot water will cause the brush hair to shed.
You also need to wipe the ferrules and regularly handles to make sure they always stay clean when you hold them. A perfect brush is not only good in quality but also needs good care.
For more useful tips for cleaning and caring for your watercolor brushes, watch this video here:
FAQs
It is difficult to answer all your questions, so I have some frequently asked questions below for your updated information. Read it carefully because it will help you a lot!
My Top Pick
The best brushes have to retain water and color and can return to the original shape after each brushstroke. Besides, the brushes should keep the fine point, durable ferrule, and resist puffiness or fluffing.
For my top pick product, I choose Blue Squid Set of 12 pcs Watercolor Brushes. You’re just beginning your art passion, or you want to create a professional level painting, this set of brushes from Blue Squid will inspire your imagination with the high quality. At a reasonable price, this set is also ideal for students.
Hopefully, you can find the right direction for the ideal set of watercolor brushes after reading my top list reviews and buying guides. Leave your queries below if you need my help. Follow the website to see me again, and thank you for reading!