Cheap Brush Review: SNAP! Brushes by Princeton

Today I am reviewing the SNAP! Burshes by Prinston. I chose a 3 brush set (#9650set1) that contains a 3/4" angle wash/shader, #8 filbert and #10 round because these brushed would be most useful for my beginner watercolor students and they are the sizes and style of brush I like to use most for my watercolors. The retail price for the brush set was $7.99 USD and I bought them at my local ACmoore store in Bangor Maine.
Overall the brushes were great, they held plenty of water and paint and had good spring and resiliency. The brushes have wooden handles so you have to make sure you do not leave them sitting in the water bucket overnight, a bad habit I have. These do not have scraper ends.
First I tried the 3/4" wash/angle shader. It worked great for wet-in-wet wash and side-loading.
Then the #10 round, it has a fine point for detail work yet if you press more you can get a fat line, it is good for solid washes. This brush holds a nice about of paint.
The #8 filbert is a nice addition for making flower petals and craggy branches.
I would recommend these brushes without hesitation to any budget conscious watercolor artist.
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[@mindofwatercolor]

Good informative review, thanks! Synthetics have come a long way and Princeton does an especially good job with them. I love the Princeton Neptune line for a slightly higher quality brush without having to spring for Kolinsky sable.

[@lindafordham2964]

Once again you have taught me so much in just a few short minutes. THANK YOU!

[@michellemullen388]

Linda Fordham i

[@claritzairosario68]

Thank you, thank you so much for this review! Because I bought that set, and I don't try it yet, and I was worried, because of the cheap price, and I thought that this brushes maybe don't worked properly, but I can see, they do a very good performance! I bought that set for gouche, and it's nice that they works for watercolors too❤❤❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad I could help!

[@davidkreitzer6712]

Princeton describes the Golden Taklon brushes you are using here are for acrylic. The Snap line with the white bristles are recommended for watercolor. The Taklon are stiffer, but hey whatever works.

[@TheTinkerersWife]

Good to know stuff! I recently purchased Royal Majestic brushes %50 off at a local craft store...love them. With granddaughters who are into art now it's good to know of some less expensive examples. Loved the branch work too. Easy peasy and pretty too. That would make a quick card.

[@MyMeriArt]

Excellent review of the brushes. I enjoyed watching you demonstrate the water bead technique for broad flat areas of colors. Thumb's up from meri!!

[@Linda-qq5mg]

It was a good review! I love the idea of using the filbert for flower buds! Thanks.

[@lisamr40]

Thanks, Lindsay! They do always have sales on open stock brushes! That's when I buy! I do need some new brushes, will definitely check these out!

[@bejayroles5820]

Thanks for showing us how to test if our brushes are good, Lindsay. I've just bought a beginners set of R&L brushes. They consist of rounds - 1,3,5,7,9 and shaders - 2,4,6,8,10. I think these will get me going, the set of ten cost less than five pounds. If I find that I'm actually able to produce something recognisable I can then think of getting a more expensive set :).

[@btw1911]

The brushes and this video were great. They ARE a good find, so are you. I just subscribed and glad I found you. I enjoy all the videos you've made over these past few weeks. I am a beginner. Never water colored b4.

[@laurapuchalski7402]

Nice review. I just got the other Princeton snap set, with the 6,4 and 3/4 flat. I’ve gotta try them out. I use plastic palette knives for scraping tools, they are cheap at any art store.

[@greekveteran2715]

The Princeton Snap set you got,I was ready to order it,but they sell it for 20 here.Please,Should I get the same snap set you got,or look for a better brush with the price being that much?

[@NicoleLan622]

I used a pinking shears scissor to cut zig zig points into a credit card and use it like a rake !

[@paintingsfromskye9930]

Hey Lindsay :-) i really like the way you paint with water color. your tips are always helpful. i would love to see you paint a galactic scene! (due to popularity and coz its challanging) keep on being you 3

[@stephaniebuzzella1]

The guard is great for keeping in your travel bag to keep them from getting smashed

[@bootsmama1027]

I bought a couple of these brushes at a local art store that is picky about what brands they carry. They sold these brushes for $2.99 for the cheapest ones at 50% off, so I was surprised to see that you talked about them as cheap brushes. Also, Dick Blick carries them individually, and they weren't priced cheap there. I'd love to find them somewhere for the price you got them.

[@JustMeInfv]

You can get the set of three brushes that Lindsay is using, Princeton Snap! Golden Taklon Brushes Set 1, for 7.99 at Dick Blick for 7.99. She got them for $4.50 at the craft store using a 50% off coupon. Hope that helps. :)

[@kathysammartano4432]

Thanks for this! We don't have AC Moore here, but I'll keep my eye out for them.

[@kathysammartano4432]

They are the same price at dickblick.com

[@chauchettagreen5498]

There is nothing like holding a great brush or an exceptional pencil In ones hand.... Thanks for sharing. Chauchetta Green

[@asplashofcyan1437]

I am so happy that these brushes won't lose there hair, I hate it when that happens especially when your working in acrylics and it is embodied in paint! I'm so buying these right away!! Also, for watercolors, I have noticed you have been using the koi watercolors, would you recommend them? I already have a Winsor and Newton Cotman set (there student brand, it's the compact one)but are they better? Is being very opaque good? Thank you so much for this video!

[@rebekahstarlight9482]

I've owned a koi watercolor set and a Windsor and Newton Cotman set and I liked the Cotman set exponentially better. The koi set is just chalky in my option

[@Lulumommy1000]

Hi, Lindsay. Can I use Plaid Folk Art brushes for watercolor painting? I have a bunch of brand new brushes. Thanks, you rock!

[@Kashazdesigns]

Thanks for this it has really helped me...I'm only new at painting so I found this very helpful. Hugs Shaz

[@bootsmama1027]

Have you tried the Princeton Neptune brushes. They are advertised as synthetic squirrel brushes that hold as much water and pigment as real hair brushes.

[@jeanieferretti4203]

I hate when a brush looses there bristles. Thank you I may have to find some.

[@DianaTrout]

That looks like a great choice for beginners! Thanks. They aren't losing their bristles?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Diana Trout nope, not one! I am really happy with them:)

[@Lulumommy1000]

Hi, Lindsay. What do you think about using Plaid Folk Art brushes that are meant for acrylic paint for watercolor painting? They are brand new. Thanks, you rock!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Lulumommy1000 they will be lovely:) Most of the brushes I used for watercolor say watercolor/acrylic on the label:)

[@Skinnychelle48]

I love these brushes!

[@CastleMc]

Seven years later these brushes are $7-8 EACH at my local art store

[@CastleMc]

Just back from the store and they are more like $8++.. Amazon sells sets of the higher quality Princeton brushes (Aqua Elite, Neptune, etc) for less per brush!

[@lyndasari2335]

Alhamdulillah,i am anderstanding after wathing your videos.Thanks

[@LindaLap]

Thank you! Always helpful!

[@paisleypeacock]

*Thank you!*

[@butterpecanrican_]

Random question, why don't you ever use the scraper end of brushes instead of the cut up credit card? I mean I'm sure the card gets a better scrape, but video-wise, the scraping sound from the brush isn't nearly as painful on my teeth as the credit card one is. I always dread when you pull out the card lol.

[@charsbabushka]

Thank you for another great video.

[@kathrynjackson3007]

Great review, thanks!

[@zoietroxell9967]

Can you do a tutorial on oil paints ?

[@greekveteran2715]

They sell the same set for 20$ here.. Thats a robbery..

[@PatsTreasuresNCrafts]

Thanks for the review :) ~ Pat

[@pinkrose1990]

Thanks!

[@pinkrose1990]

thanks!

[@eliseshaw3341]

Double thumbs up:)

[@natashakejriwal2286]

Do the bristles fall out? Im debating wether or not I should get these.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

+Natasha Kejriwal no, they ate great for the price!

[@natashakejriwal2286]

Thank you for responding once again! I've been totally obsessed with your videos! 😋

[@bejayroles5820]

Thanks for showing us how to test if our brushes are good, Lindsay. I've just bought a beginners set of R&L brushes. They consist of rounds - 1,3,5,7,9 and shaders - 2,4,6,8,10. I think these will get me going, the set of ten cost less than five pounds. If I find that I'm actually able to produce something recognisable I can then think of getting a more expensive set :).

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Bejay Roles I love Royal & Langnickle brushes, they are wonderful brushes for the price. I use the Aqualons and Majestic from R&L:)