Best Watercolor Brushes- My Synthetic/Vegan Brush Collection

Hey everyone! Today's video was much requested, I'm sharing my collection of synthetic brushes with explanations about each brand and my preferences. Scroll down for my favorites and links :)
Enjoy!
Shown in video-
Escoda Perla-
bit.ly/2KYRT6P
Joseph Z set-
bit.ly/3cOa9JW
Escoda Prado-
bit.ly/2VFxVC7
Alvaro set-
bit.ly/2Y5FzZg
Escoda Versatil-
bit.ly/3aFz3dn
Escoda Ultimo-
bit.ly/2Wx9RP5
Miss Led brush sets-
bit.ly/2xR6koF
Jackson's Raven-
bit.ly/2J1ZmPi
Princeton Neptune-
bit.ly/2y29WUO
ProArte Swordliner-
bit.ly/3eTSPF8
Da Vince Casaneo-
bit.ly/2VDQx5C
Princeton Elite
Fan brush #4
Jackson's sky stippler-
bit.ly/34IzweI
Current favorites-
Ultimo mop #14
Raven 0, 3/0, 10/0
Pro Arte Swordliner small
More brushes I use/used often-
Princeton Neptune round #8
Princeton Neptube 1/4 dagger
Escoda Versatil rigger #10
Escoda Perla #10 & #14 round
******************************
My website-
www.iritlandgraf.com/
Amazon picks (updated regularly)-
amzn.to/2FRI3O8
Buy my art (prints, pillow cases, tote bags and more!)-
www.redbubble.com/people/AuroraLandgraf?asc=u
My blog: aurorasland.blogspot.co.at/
Online Courses:
iritlandgraf.teachable.com/
Sign Up for my Newsletter (I never spam!):
aurorasland.blogspot.co.at/p/sign-up-for-my-newletter.html
Instagram:
aurora_landgraf
*****************************
My video & photo gear-
video-
Canon G7X- amzn.to/2pKAhNX
photo-
Fujifilm X-T10 body- amzn.to/2pyuNcN
Fujinon XF35mmF1.4 R - amzn.to/2qgtdei
*****************************
For business inquiries email me - [e-mail]
There are a couple of ways to support me besides taking one of my classes-
*Using these affiliate links when you make a purchase-
Amazon. com- amzn.to/2sn8Vhf
Jackson's Art Supplies (UK based)-
bit.ly/2Dq0yv0
Scrapbook.com- shrsl.com/iopy
I get a small commission when you use these links to make a purchase. Thank you!

[@RenataaMartinho]

Finally watched this video! I bought some Escoda and Jackson's brushes after your recommendations and I couldn't have loved them more! The Jackson's 10/0 brush does have a very thin handle, but I put one of those spongy things on children pens/mechanical pencils that I had lying around. It's way more comfortable.

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad you like them! and what a great hack!! Thanks!

[@nazarius6547]

I love escoda perla, they are perfect for gouache paintings 💖

[@iritlandgraf]

Good tip! Thanks for sharing !

[@deejcarter2003]

Nice, you covered a lot of brushes. I think that’s be the hardest thing in watercolors supply wise, finding the bush you like. Thanks, I just ordered the Ultimo mop in 12 and Prado in 10. I own the travel Prado in 6 and love it in smaller journals but needed a bigger one for using in A5 and up. I’ve accumulated a lot of brushes over the years. I think we need a watercolor brush swap FB group.😍

[@iritlandgraf]

Absolutely! Then again, I think I'm strangely attached to some of mine... Not sure I could part with them!! Even the unused one. Ridiculous, but true.

[@susansacco7583]

Thanks Irit! It was so much fun seeing your brushes. I love the daVinci Casaneo quill #2 and #4. They have the best point and super soft. Also have the Escoda rigger for one of Angela classes. The Casaneo looks a lot like your Jackson’s brushes. It’s so nice finding brushes that we love. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@ilustralilian_]

Susan Sacco ohhh I have the 0, I’m waiting for the store that I buy them restock, so I can buy the 2. Best brush! Love it.

[@susansacco7583]

Lilan Oliveira- I’m excited for you! The #2 is my most used and loved! Enjoy Lilan!

[@iritlandgraf]

@@susansacco7583 me to mysefl- you don't need another quill, you don't need another wonderful quill 😂

[@susansacco7583]

Irit Landgraf- 😂 I hear ya honey

[@PaintinHiding]

i finally got myself the raven brush you mentioned in this video! LOVE it!! thank you for the recommendation! i got the 3/0 because they didnt have the 10/0. i’ll definitely be getting the 10/0 when it becomes available again. also got myself jacksons’s icon quill brush and loving that too. these vegan brushes make me so happyyyy! thanks again as always for your recommendations Irit! :D

[@iritlandgraf]

So glad you're pleased with your purchases! Glad I could help!

[@vintagepeony]

Hello Irit, great video again. I know you’ve talked about brushes before but as a complete watercolour novice I really enjoy all your videos (💕no matter the length!) however I can’t comment on some of the items as it’s so new to me. I have purchased several of the brushes you mentioned as well as some gorgeous watercolours from DS on your recommendations (and now have my own ‘rainbow’ palette 🎨 and I’m so pleased with everything so far! Keep going, keep well and thank you for all your lovely vids. Many hugs, Valérie 🌈💕

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you Valérie! I know, there's so much stuff, as a newcomer into the world of watercolors it can be so intimidating... I really try and help sort through the sheer volume of stuff one can purchase, having bought most myself ARGH... I'd hate for people to spend money on stuff that they really don't need, already have or is just not worth the money. Enjoy your rainbow palette! Happy happy joy joy :)

[@ohbli_oh]

If you haven’t yet try winsor and Newton new professional synthetic kolinsky with the grey handles. They’re mind blowing. They even look like real hair when dry. Not the best at holding tips but the closest to my old sable brush I got before going vegan to anything else I’ve tried.

[@iritlandgraf]

Awesome, thank you!

[@hlk01]

Ah, brushes. My weakness. 😊 I just about every size in the ravens and really like them. I was disappointed in my 10/0 which I got just a few weeks ago. It doesn't have much of a point. I started out with the Jacksons Icon brushes which come in a handy set of 3 for a really good price. I also have the same two pro arte nylon sword brushes, though I'm not sure why I have both sizes. I did inherit some watercolor supplies from my late mil, so maybe that explains it. They are wonderful to sketch with and give lovely expressive lines. My only Escoda is a size 8 travel versatil. Confession time, I do have a few real hair brushes. My pointed long winsor and newton size 7 sable is a dream. I'm trying not to buy any more, honest 🙄 Anyhoo, thanks for taking us through your collection, I enjoyed it.

[@iritlandgraf]

Haha I have many weaknesses 😂 thanks for sharing Christine!

[@divine1657]

Get escoda perla 8 and versatil 4, they're perfect!

[@iritlandgraf]

I have the perla, it is nice! These days I'm mostly using softer brushes tho

[@nursen2106]

that long hair brush about min 15 - is a speciality brush - I would say useful in landscapes or abstracts, where granulation technique is wanted. I think, that is about, how it works (plus I think something in miniatures or something like that)

[@iritlandgraf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@simu666]

Hi Irit, thanks for the intruduction to some vegan brushes. the Jackson's sky stippler brush you show and the one I can find through the link in the description are either not the same or they are not vegan. The linked one is described with: Hair Type: Badger. If yours is vegan, let me know where I can find one of these. cheers Simon

[@iritlandgraf]

here it is - bit.ly/34IzweI

[@simu666]

@@iritlandgraf great, thanks a lot!

[@amberb803]

Brilliant video! I've been looking for brushes, doing lots of research, think I'll take your advice

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad it was helpful Amber❤️

[@Drumaier]

Great video! we have in common the raven 10/0, the medium pro arte sword dagger (though now i see that the small is what i hoped the medium would be aprox but ok nothing to cry about) , the jackson's squirrel 10,and the Perla 14. The llast three didn't arrived yet (i ordered just some days before the world went downhill) but i hope they will soon. Thanks and take care

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad you enjoyed! Take care!

[@sasayaki]

I just got a Jackson studio synthetic size 6 and love it. Best point I've had in a brush as a newbie. It's helping me with staying inside the line when I need to. I hope to get a slightly bigger one soon. And if it splays out I didn't break the bank. I'm poor lol I see people saying natural hair is more earth friendly and vice versa. I say try to balance things in your life as much as you can. Life's not just art supplies. There's fuel and other goods that people use every day where people can make a difference. If everyone tries it would balance out. I've seen the same people argue this on art videos and it's a bit of an eye roller for me. Unless you make everything you have from scratch you're consuming some petroleum so 😛 People get hot when anything vaguely vegan is mentioned (no I'm not a vegan but I live and let live). You do you! Your videos are informative. I want to try the dagger brush sometime soon. I have not seen the Pro arte swords in a video so it gave me a real life look at them.

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad your enjoying your brush! I'm vegan for the animals first. I can't imagine keeping wild animals in captivity, or breeding them for the single purpose of using them for their body, disturbing their habitat, dealing with their waste and then what remains once we've taken all we have use for is so great for the environment. But for me even if synthetic brushes are more harmful to the environment, it doesn't justify needlessly torturing and killing innocent beings. Live and let live is an interesting phrasing, as supporting animal abuse (as in consuming their flesh and secretions or using their bodies for other purposes) is exactly the opposite of live and let live... You're of course right that we can't be perfect and by our mere existence we cause harm, but we can always try and do better. The truth is that making art is also wasteful. If we all switched to digital art it would reduce a lot of waste and production of problematic chemicals in paints... So I can just sit and be all high and mighty... I try and do my best and reduce my participation in animal abuse as much as possible. Vegan for life ❤️

[@iritlandgraf]

Also, what have we just learned about the dangers of being in close proximity to wild animals... Not great for avoiding pandemics 🤔

[@sasayaki]

@@iritlandgraf I agree with you! By live and let live I meant in terms of getting defensive about someone that doesn't want to use a synthetic brush. I saw another reply you answered where you said "agree to disagree." That's probably what I meant. I'm sorry 😂 Brain fog. I've been looking at discussions of brushes and there's usually someone that gets prickly about it and it's been bothering me lately. I shouldn't read wetcanvas threads so much any more. I have seen some awkward stuff there 😁

[@iritlandgraf]

I know what you mean, I wish I didn't care about what strangers say online but sometimes things still get under my skin. At least here it's my little corner of the internet and I have zero tolarence to rudeness of offensive comments, I delete without hesitation :)

[@darlene3996]

Which one do you like the best for detail work/fine lines?

[@iritlandgraf]

Pro arte sword small

[@marilynross947]

Disappointed that you didn’t demonstrate using the brushes for the different techniques you use in your beautiful paintings.

[@iritlandgraf]

I have dosens and dosens of painting videos, you can see the brushes in action 😀

[@rebeccapage4411]

Thanks so much for this video! I've made the opposite choice: after a great deal of careful research I believe petroleum based, non-biodegradable synthetic brushes do far more harm to the environment, and therefore animals, than natural fur. That said, synthetic brushes are super important for some techniques I wish to use. Since both types of brushes come at a high cost to animals, I want to buy as few as possible and take good care of them. Reviews like yours let me know which brushes have the qualities I want so I can reduce both the money and impact of my choices.

[@iritlandgraf]

You're welcome! We can agree to disagree, I don't think torturing animals is ethical and so accept that producing synthetic alternatives has an impact on the inviroment. Of course you are right that harming the enviroment effects us all, humans and non human animals, and so we should aspire to make products from enviromentally friendly materials, using envi. friendly methods. I do absolutely agree we should buy less and take good care of what we have (same can and should be said about a lot of the things we buy, like clothes... A whole other discussion), that's one of the reasons I really try (with partial success) to buy less and not try everything out there. Product reviews are very popular and get a lot of views, but I don't want to buy stuff I just can't use (there's only so many brushes and so much paint I can use...) just to review them... But those are my own issues ;)

[@rebeccapage4411]

@@iritlandgraf I would argue that influencers who can accurately describe & demonstrate product are earth heroes. Buying or receiving exorbitant amounts of product is how you serve your community. Your review surplus prevents hundreds or thousands of unnecessary purchases globally. Whether you keep, sell, or donate after use is your personal, private decision.

[@iritlandgraf]

@@rebeccapage4411 you are right. I guess because I have a small channel and buy most of my supplies myself I find it wasteful to try many things that are similar to what I already have.

[@YourMajesty143]

With all due respect, if you had truly done careful research, you'd know that non-biodegradable synthetics are currently resolved by advanced recycling solutions -- but even better is that everyday we learn of a new naturally evolved bacterium or enzyme that eats plastics. For instance, Ideonella sakaiensis (super-enzyme), Pseudomonas (bacteria), Pestalotiopsis Microspora (fungi), Aspergillus Tubingensis (fungi), as well as specific species of Cockroaches, Wax Worm, Maggots, and other microbes. In any case, the likelihood that an artist (who are well known to be messy hoarders) are going to dispose of an expensive quality synthetic brush to a landfill is very, very rare. They're more likely to hold unto it & just never use it, or donate it. An animal-hair brush is not only directly harmful to the environment & animals from the beginning, the hairs are also treated/tanned in such a way that is harmful to the environment & prevents it from biodegrading as easily (due to the manufacturer wishing to prolong the longevity of their brushes for their artist consumers). But even if they hadn't done that, an animal-hair brush won't biodegrade in a landfill, bc most trash is compacted in plastic garbage bags & stacked high where they're not exposed to the natural composting & degradation process of the ground below. I'm not saying that synthetics are good, but I'm not naive enough to believe that "natural" products are any better -- especially when they involve cruelty & environmental harm in their production.

[@heianwoman]

You are never too long or boring. Really. Page T

[@iritlandgraf]

Haha thanks Page!!

[@ilustralilian_]

The price is right for Europe. I would like to have access to them. I can’t even have access to Princeton! Aff! 🙄😓 Well, at least we have the Da Vinci’s.

[@iritlandgraf]

Lilian, as far as I know, Jackson's offers free worldwide shipping on brush only orders over 20£ 😀