Comparing Synthetic Watercolour Brushes

[@waymire01]

The vast majority of sable brushes (including kolinsky) are actually made from weasel. Most are harvested in Asia. They are not killed just for their fur, and the fur is not solely used for brushes, only the outer guard and tail hair is... the rest is used elsewhere. The entire animal is used for meat, both human consumption in local populations and for industry use such as the crabbing industry for bait.. they are also a prized source of oil (generically labelled as mink oil). They are considered harmful varmints, do massive destruction to birds (including poultry farms) and other small animal populations, and are invasive in several countries where people are paid to trap them. They are one of the species that kills more than they need if opportunity arises and can wipe out an entire flock in a single night, in the wild they would store the meat for later but in a farm situation it's just a huge loss. So yes, animals are killed and fur is utilized.. but it's not nearly as nefarious as some make it out to be. I encourage anyone concerned to utilize synthetics if they desire, but there is a lot of misinformation out there.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Thanks for this. I had no idea about the details of the weasel industry. Fascinating. Thankyou for sharing it. x

[@waymire01]

I started with very cheap synthetics, my favorites were the Princeton Velvetouches.. then took the plunge into sable. I bought a ton of them, different brands, including the WN series 7. Then I reversed course (because I had hundreds of dollars worth of brushes sitting there but kept reaching for those Velvetouches LOL) and went into some better synthetics, including the DaVincis. In the end I think my favorite are the Princeton brushes.. the Aquaelite and Neptune are virtually identical to the DaVinci synthetics at a fraction of the price, the only difference is the handle shape. I still have a soft spot for the Velvetouches, there is something about the feel of them (balance and snap), and they come in so many different sizes and shapes. A few other discoveries.. the Jacksons Tajmir sables are virtually identical to the DaVinci Maestro XL, and the Blick K Sables are very close to the WN 7.. both at a fraction of the price. That said... I also discovered that brushes are all individuals and some individual brushes are "born bad".. I have gotten very nice brushes and total failures from every brand at every price point.. it's important to buy from a source that allows returns if possible because of this. They are also very easily damaged in shipping and rough shipping or packaging (like a bent or poorly applied brush guard) can completely ruin a brush before you ever get it. I got a DaVinci Maestro once that looked ok but was just wrong every time it hit the paper.. after close examination I realized the ferrule wasn't round, it had been smashed a bit somewhere along the way and was slightly oblong so the bristles didn't lay properly when pressure was applied. It's hard to say from just the video but I'm 80% sure this is what is wrong with your Princeton, it looked crooked from the time you took the ferrule off to me and that flattening isn't normal. There is also a bit of a learning curve when using any new brush regardless of fiber, each one has to be used for a bit and you find you tend to get used to them, the first few days are rough because your hands are "trained" to the snap and release of paint from the one you used last. I very much prefer to paint with multiple sizes/shapes of the same brush if needed than an assortment of different makes of brush. I've found that true of all watercolor supplies though, paper/paint/brush, you get to know them and any change is hard. After a bunch of research I've determined the Raphael Kaerell pointed short handled round is what Billie Showell has used for her signature synthetic line, I have one of those on it's way to me to try. I'm considering trying synthetics from Escoda and Isabey which both have excellent reviews. If you want to replace the shape of the WN 7, look for "english" or "european" rounds.. they are harder to find since everyone is going for those longer bristles and extended pointed tips (which I actually find harder to control especially if you use the flat of the brush to apply a wash).. they have a distinct shape with a full belly and wider point, kind of like a teardrop. Personally I have found I prefer to drop a size if needed in a rounder tip to get the precision I want instead of trying to use a big brush in a small space, but that is just personal preference... I've always preferred to work with smaller brushes, in my acrylic work I use tiny brushes on rather large paintings and a lot of visual blending. Also sizing is not consistent so you can't just buy a "size 1" and get the same brush, you have to look at the actual measurements from a good supplier or the manufacturer. I find synthetics don't last as long, especially if you work on rougher paper often, but the replacement cost is so much lower it all works out in the end. I follow some very good artists, all who are professionals and sell their work, who use extremely cheap brushes... one uses Pro Arte masterstrokes, one uses exclusively Aquafine, another Sonnet, and the fourths favorite brush is a Polar Flo flat.. none of these cost more than $5....so it's very much a personal thing as to what brush will work for what person.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Hiya, Wow! What a fabulous comment! So many ideas and suggestions in there. You are so right about the fact that brushes are sometimes just plain "wrong" and each in an individual. And I'd not considered damage in transit, interesting. So many other brands you mention here, it's wonderful. I agree, I think the synthetics seems to be getting better and better all the time. And I also agree about it being hard to switch from what you're used to. Which is why I think a lot of these videos I do, comparing papers and brushes etc, are bound to be dreadfully biased. Some really good ideas here. And I love your loyalty to the Velvet touch. I also think you're completely right about brushes not needing to be expensive. Mine are, but that doesn't mean a good illustrator couldn't work with anything else than a sable. Of course that's not true. I love the examples you give too, I think its a really important point to remember. Sometimes people seem obsessed by the equipment when what really needs focus is the learning to look and practising their drawing skills. Ah the joys of flashy art materials! Thanks again for all this info, and for the time it must have taken to pop it all up there in writing, Its a great resource Many thanks x

[@waymire01]

@@LizzieHarperillustrator Another you might consider is the ProArte line.. I've heard good things regarding the 007 series (prolene plus) from other botanical artists, and they make many different versions including kolinsky, red sable, sable/synthetic blend, and I believe four different types of pure synthetic fibers. Jackson's has most of them.

[@harumrona]

@@waymire01 Hello, may I ask you a question. The Kaerell Brush Billy Shownell wore, what's the series number?

[@waymire01]

@@harumrona I finally got the brush in question and didn't find it similar in the least to the Showell brush, not sure where that rumor got started.. but it was a Raphael Kaerell... Kaerell is the series, Raphael is the brand. It was way too heavy in body and not the same shape, her brushes are very long and pointed, tapered in a straight line from the ferrule... like a toothpick. I did find the ProArte prolene plus series 007 to be very similar to the Showell brushes though. I have a 4 and a 2 that are just a joy to use.

[@shellyscott8275]

Hi Lizzie, I’m new to your channel and thoroughly enjoyed this paintbrush review. I got into painting during lockdown and botanical art in particular. I was enthralled to watch your technique and the review was particularly helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to produce and share it. I have subscribed and will look out for more of your videos.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Wonderful! Shelly, what a gracious comment! I do hope the films help a bit. Personally, I get so much joy from the work I do that it seems wrong not to share it and it seems to help when I break it down into accessible steps. I truly believe everyone can draw and paint if they're just able to put in the hours. My technique is one among many, and is a little unusual for botanical illustration (for a more traditional approach you could also check out the wonderful Julia Trickey). And the review bit? That's just me thinking (or painting!) out loud as I try to solve whatever issue I'm trying to get an answer for! Thanks so much for the feedback, for subscribing, and for the comment. x

[@Zoomfreaky]

Thank you for this extensive testing video. I went and bought some Rosemary Red Spotters immediately...:) If I may make a suggestion... Escoda is a wonderful brand. I am using all sorts right now. I bought a Perla 2 and 5/0 a while ago. I wasn't that pleased at first. But If I am hearing what you want in a brush. Maybe this will do the trick for you. I am liking them a lot right now. Didn't expect that...:) I am a real big fan of the Ultimo range (squirrel imitation). They are insane.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Thanks for the tip! I really need to try and get around to doing a follow up, people have been so kind and helpful with suggestions. Im so glad youve found some good ones that work for you! Thats great.

[@Zoomfreaky]

I can also recommand the Prado line of Escoda. I only have the larger brushes, but it has more spring to it and holds a lot of water. It is an imitation sable. It feels really nice. And the point is very fine and snaps back to itself. My 4 can easily make very confident thin lines. The feedback of this brush is amazing. Yesss, I think this one would be more to your liking. Maybe the Perla is too soft. Escoda says about Prado: It is one of the most valued synthetic matters because of its similarity to sable hair. It not only imitates its color, but it also imitates its spring and absorption of liquids. Thanks to the perfect combination of three different diameters and three lengths in the bers, the brushstroke’s result is the same as one made of natural hair.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Right, youve definitley got me interested in the Prado, now. I need to thin about writing a shopping list!

[@stephanie.kilgast]

Finally watching this one, just because you posted your newer video. (which I'll watch later or tomorrow) I'm really on the fence between real fur and synthetic. Synthetic are plastic and that's not great either. However one thing I much prefer with synthetics is that they seem to last a lot longer than the natural hair ones. Which would make sense since the hair is engineered rather than harvested. I personally don't like the spotter from rosemary's but I do like their Designer red dot series!

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Oh man Stephanie, Id not even THOUGHT about the plastic waste side of things! Such a valid point. But if the synthetics do last longer.... More food for thought. Trust you to spin my logic on its head! Excellent work!

[@stephanie.kilgast]

@@LizzieHarperillustrator well I might be a little obsessed with humanity's plastic obsession and to be fair it is absolutely everywhere. And there are certainly other places where it's more easily avoidable.

[@dees3179]

I’ve been trying Jackson’s kite synthetic Kolinsky sable. The points are good. I struggle a bit with unexpected water delivery……but certainly better than medium quality real sable. For me not quite as good as the‘real’ thing yet, but for many tasks it’s fine and will certainly reduce my consumption of other brushes. Definitely have no problem doing edges or getting in small shapes. Worth trying. Overall, with finding replacement products in any aspect of life, it seems to be about finding multiple things that can do different aspects, and might do other unexpected things well too, rather than a like for like match to a specific task. I love your trial videos Lizzie.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Hi Dee, thankyou for this reccommendation. Hopefully people can read through the comments and get lots of ideas other than the ones I've tested. Good that it holds its point, that seems to be the real issue with these synthetics.

[@TuckNgun]

Thank you for this video (and your other ones too)! I recently got into watercolor and want to avoid natural hair for cost reasons. Anyway, I got a few Princeton Aqua Elites and they are ok but I am running into a lot of the same issues you are. The flattened shape is particularly vexing because the tip starts splaying strangely if I am not using it at the "right" angle. It looks like it should be much more precise than it actually is

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

I totally know what you mean, Tuck. I would say, if you can, try Rosemary brushers designer or red dot. They're better than most, but I still love my sable ones most, alas. If you do find anything wonderful, do let me know? Many thanks. X

[@susantoper6514]

Hi Lizzie, I have 3 Rosemary and Co designer brushes which are longer and have a fine tip and find them really good for fine lines. Thanks for such a detailed video.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Thanks for the tip. SO many shapes to choose from! Maybe I'll give the longer ones a whirl. Thanks so much for sharing, Susan. I hope the comments section here can act as a resource for other illustrators questing for economical and ethical paintbrush alternatives, so your feedback and suggestions are so welcome. x

[@AbraSpiders]

I'm new to watercolours, I've painted with acrylics in the past, but wanted to start over with something more eco friendly. I love your videos, I love your style, and the relaxed way you go about things.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

That's great to hear! Really glad you enjoy the films. Yeah, it's rather different from acrylics; you don't have the adding of the highlights at the end. I love acrylics too, but am not too good at them. Hadn't thought about the environmental aspect of them, of course, they're plastics. Good luck with your adventures with watercolours. I hope you end up loveing them as much as I do!

[@kathleenstoin671]

Spotter brushes are shorter than rounds. They're really a different category. They won't behave just like a round.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Thanks Kathleen. I think that's a valid point. Often I try things without fully researching them first - in truth I don't even know what the definition of a "spotter" is, or didn't until I read your comment. And therefore yes, it's not really a meaningful test. Rather like comparing 2 apples with an orange and being alarmed that the orange is really different! As you say, they wont behave like a round cause they're not supposed to be a round! Thanks for pointing this out, it helps me sort out my art equipment in a way that may be more useful for people following me on KZbin. Thanks.

[@kathleenstoin671]

​@@LizzieHarperillustratorI was unfamiliar with them myself until recently, and I learned about them during my research. Your video was very helpful, by the way. I've been working with graphite for years, doing photorealistic drawings, but I'm gathering supplies to get back into watercolor, and I have so many questions about brushes and technique, as it seems I've forgotten so many things about watercolor! I've watched a number of your videos, and they have been immensely informative. Thank you so much for your generosity in making them!

[@AbraCassandraCrafts]

@@LizzieHarperillustrator A better comparison would have been a Rosemary & Co Snowdrop Round or something like that. I love the spotters because they give me more control. They're an amazing little brush. Just ordered more in fact now that I'm getting back into watercolor.

[@EunStudio]

I enjoyed the video got a lot of inspiration thank you ❤

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

I'm so glad!

[@waymire01]

I find the best thing to do if you get a weird hair like on the WN is just to cut it off at the ferrule. Nail clippers work well.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Yeah, that's true. I use a scalpel but I can see clippers would do an excellent job and probably not much up the nearby hairs so much as the scalpel does

[@Finkeldinken]

This is a wonderful walk-through! Thank you! For the Red Dot series, I see you have the Spotter. There's also a Long Round type and a Designer type. Even the no 1 Rigger might be worth a try, their riggers look quite short. I might try some of these. My best synthetic yet is the da vinci Casaneos, but I find that they hook terribly soon. I don't know if it is something I do that make them do that, but until now (I've only used watercolours for a couple of years) that's my main issue with the synthetics I've tried. Not issues with splaying, but that little weird hook on the very point.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

That hook, yes! What even IS that? That was the problem I had, too. Maybe it's because the synthetic fibres get thinner towards the tip and don't have the same integral elasticity as sable? But yes, I know precisely what you mean about the hook. I've never played with Riggers before, but perhaps I will. Thanks so much for suggesting alternatives. One thing is certain, I have a lot more respect for Rosemary & Co. after this trial. And yes, well done for pinpointing the problem. The hook. Now we just need to tell the manafacturers what needs to be fixed! Thanks again for your message Yours Lizzie

[@Knorrette]

The hook... I thought it was me not handling the brushes correctly but now I realise it's a general problem with synthetic brushes.

[@starr-starr]

Thank you for the comment that the Casaneos hook. I like those brushes for the paint holding capacity and softness, but mine do not even have a HINT of a point. They are the roundest brushes ever, only good for washes. I was thinking of trying another, but probably not. Every Princeton aqua elite I have hooks like crazy, even from the start. I almost never use them, although I loved the pointed rounds to begin with. Right now I have settled in with the Raphael Kaerell pointed rounds for my synthetic. They have been terrific so far, and are very reasonably priced.

[@jorgedieguez7342]

DaVinci Casaneos don't have good spring. They compare to Princeton Neptune. They are designed to hold water but that makes them to lose spring. Princeton Aqua Elite have a fantastic spring but the brush Lizzie tested wasn't right. They have a perfect shape and that one doesn't have it.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Yeah, is seems to be quite a hurdle for the manafacturers

[@СветланаЕрмолаева-б5щ]

Лиззи, рисую с Вами. Спасибо, что медленно. Успеваю) 💚🌿💚 Вы очень талантливы и терпеливы.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Спасибо большое. Моя семья не думает, что я терпелив! Угадайте, может быть, все это войдет в картину ....

[@LipsitaArt]

super realistic leaves painting. thanks for sharing

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Thank you so much 😀

[@jorgedieguez7342]

Lizzie, it looks like the Princeton brush you tested wasn't right. I own several of them and they are fantastic. For me, the best of those you compared. I also like Rosemary brushes but not just that series. It is too short. They have the same synthetic with longer point. Very good brushes.. Thanks for the review.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Hiya Jorge. Interesting. I did wonder if perhaps I'd somehow bought a dud brush. That's great to hear that the ones you use don't mess up, that's very useful information. And the Princeton ones don't "hook" at the tip? That seems to be the main issue with the synthetics. I think you're right about the Rosemanry brushes, another commenter mentioned that the Rosemary Red spotters also came with a longer tip. Ill try it. Thanks so much for your comments, it helps me have the comments area of this film as a useful resource for other artists. Appreciate it. x

[@jorgedieguez7342]

@@LizzieHarperillustrator Lizzie, I haven't used my Princeton Aqua Elite enough to see if they create a "hook" at the tip. I will observe it and will let you know.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

That would be interesting, thanks

[@felicitycrowe6971]

This is such an excellent video! From your comments about the W&N synthetic as you were using it, I am wondering whether you might find some of the synthetic squirrel brushes more to your liking? … not that I know much about these things …

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Hi Felicity, I think you may be right. I've got a handful on new synthetics to play with and hope to do a follow up film over the next few months, but I agree. Maybe synthetic squirrels would be good. Thanks.

[@gnostie]

@@LizzieHarperillustrator But aren't squirrel brushes less springy and less pointed? Would be very interesting to find out your opinion once you've worked enough with them to form an impression.

[@strunzfarahofficialchannel3631]

Lizzie, I recommend you try the Raphael Kaerell short handled synthetic. They are soft, keep a good point, and are the most consistently good synthetics that I’ve found.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Oooh, thanks for that suggestion. I might give them a try! Its that keeping a point that matters. Thanks.

[@cynmalin5728]

thank you for your video. i am watching many videos comparing brushes. the most helpful ones not only show basic paint strokes, but also how the artist uses them in their paintings like this one. i was looking for a comparison of the red dot to other synthetic sables, aqua elite & w&n pro amongst them, so this video checked off a lot of boxes for me. i was wondering if you tried the escoda versatil or prado? saw one artist who uses escoda sable, compare it to the versatil, and found them in many ways comparable.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Hiya, Thanks for the comment and Im glad some fo the brushes I tested have been of interest. My current favourite synthetic is Neptune Velvetouch, which Im really enjoying. I did test the two Escoda brushes, which were good, but not the best. Ive copied the links to the relevant films below. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6TEZ4qBitycp5Yfeature=shared (tests the Escoda Prado) kzbin.info/www/bejne/majKiqh3i9ySb9Ufeature=shared (tests the Escoda versatil) Thanks again for your comment and taking the time to get in touch Yours Lizzie

[@waymire01]

LOVE your brush holder... "loo roll" for the win LOL. I also love how you call it "loo roll" over there, it's one of my favorite british terms.. right up there with "fairy liquid" and how you say "aluminum". Just gives me a giggle every time.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Loo brush too, dont forget. And loo cleaner......

[@gnostie]

It's been a few months since this (excellent!) review. How are you getting on with the synthetics? Have you painted with them a lot?

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Ah, now you're asking. I have a new batch to test, which I hope to get around to at some point (once I pull my finger out and stop faffing about with waterlilies and fern illustrations). I'm slightly ashamed to say that since making this film, I spent approximately three days painting with the synthetics before falling gratefully back into the arms of my trusty Series 7. Which shows Very Little Discipline. As my teachers may have said many years ago, "must try harder"... Thanks for reminding me. Maybe Ill try using one again today, just to ease my guilty conscience! X

[@bookishindian]

@@LizzieHarperillustrator pl do! whicj other brushes will you test?

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

@@bookishindian SO Im hoping to do a test soon-ish of Da Vinci Casaneo, Princeton script Neptune, Rosemary and CO pointed red dot, and Jacksons S 561 kite brush. But I need work to stop coming in so I can test them and do a follow up film! Thanks for asking

[@raylanadamsdiscoverychanne2816]

Thank YOU so much for your candid opinion on these brushes. You have helped me out a lot on choosing which brush I should use on my current project.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

You are so welcome! You may also want to consider Rosemary and Co red dot designers, feedback from the film suggests they're as good as the spotters but with a longer nib. I plan to try them soon.

[@jandaniel9133]

Thank you always good to hear expert views on vegan friendly art material. Hopefuly a move in the direction of ethical art.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Well that's it, isn't it? It's all down to making as many little changes as we can as individuals to try and save the larger whole. And if that means playing with synthetic paintbrushes, then I'm all for it! Seems like there are good options out there too, and that they're improving all the time. So encouraging. Glad to do my (tiny) bit to spread the word. Thanks for your comment. x

[@Reinlonbr]

Loved this video, extremely helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time!

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Glad it was helpful! I keep getting new suggestions about other brands to try, so add them to the list in the write up under the film. Worth a look to avoid missing other artist's recommendations. SO glad the film was helpful.

[@aj.creativelyyours]

The Princeton velvetouch round and long round have very nice points!!

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Excellent suggestion, thankyou.

[@cmeblu75]

Have you ever tried the Princeton line of synthetic brushes? They are quite fabulous, I can hardly tell the difference, but know that you would. I just wonder if it would be a good difference or not? Oh my goodness, had I watched a little longer I’d have heard you say you were going to try the Princeton aqua. I have those and love them. Recently got a size 3 long and trying to decide how I feel about it. The “long” has an extremely fine point like that of a zero, but holds more paint. The idea is that one can use the point & belly and have a 2in1 brush, but I’m not feeling good about using the belly, only the point. So, yeah the “long” brushes are interesting. With the aqua the size 2-3 seem to have a sharper tip than 0-1. And sometimes you just get a bad brush. The quality control isn’t perfect when it comes to synthetic watercolor brushes. Sometimes you end up with a bad brush from a great line, which is sad.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Hi Katherine I have indeed purchased a Princeton aqua, and I do like them. Not as much as my series 7, but theyre good. At some point I should try to find the time to make a follow up to this film cause so many people have been so generous with their reccommendations! Really glad the Princeton aqua works for you. Youre right about the long tips and big bellies too, Im so used to something a different shape. And it doesnt mean it's a bad product, just that Im stuck in my ways! The point about quality is true as well, but saying that I do also find some dud Winsor and Newton sable ones sometimes. Every brush is slightly different..... Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experiences and giving valuable input. I appreciate it. x

[@cmeblu75]

I absolutely understand being comfortable with a product. In all honesty our tools are so extremely important and sometimes it just takes whatever it takes to get a painting we’re happy with and if that means you’re most comfortable with the W&N series 7 you shouldn’t feel bad about using it. I’m sure you probably get all kinds of feedback about animal hair brushes here on KZbin, but it’s your art and what works for you and I absolutely love your work. You keep doing you!! You’re 100% correct…it’s a personal decision and that should be all that matters. Much love to you ❤️💙

[@thuhuongle2366]

Thank you for your video, it is very useful. I have an essay on botanical illustration, I am looking for many documents on the historical origin of botanical illustration but can't find it on google, can you recommend some good books? Please refer to the documentation on the subject of really illustrating this object. thank you so much❤

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Hmmmm, that's a tricky one Thu. Off the top of my head I can't think of books on the subject, although I'm sure they exists. You could look up old herbals as a start - Clutius, Culpepper's etc. Curtis's botanical magazine has been going for ages and is well worth investigating. You could approach the RHS Lindley library in London, they have loads of historical botanical illustrations books. Illuminated manuscripts. Durer was good, and painted years ago, as did Leonardo Da Vinci. Hooker, Redoute and his roses. The history of botanical illustrators going on long voyages of discovery (was it Palmer who went with Joseph Banks?), painting flowers they found in the hold of humid ships. Margaret Mee and her trips up the Amazon (much more recent). Maria Sibylla Merian way back in the 1600s. But all in one book? I can't think. Sorry to be so massively unhelpful, and good luck with your research!

[@thuhuongle2366]

@@LizzieHarperillustrator Thank you very much for this useful information and thanks for replying to me. Have a good day😍😍😍

[@awatercolourist]

Thanking you for taking the time to review these three brushes! Did you feel the brushes were dumping paint while you were painting? I’ve heard that synthetics tend to dump paint at the begging of a stroke.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Hiya. I didn't find they let out too much paint at the start of a stroke, which is interesting. I'd not heard that criticism before, although it makes sense. But no, the main issue I had with these brushes was that they didnt retain the crispness of their points. Thanks for the question. x

[@awatercolourist]

@@LizzieHarperillustrator And thank you for the answer! I found it very useful 😊

[@inekedusseljee3093]

Thank you for trying these out, I saw Rosemary has also so called designer ones. And pointed rounds. More like you are used to. I now feel confident to order a few from these 3 different ones. I like spotters because the amount of paint they hold. And giving a nice point. I will let you know how the others hold. I love nice points on my brushes. What I also like about Rosemary is they can make and help you make a brush to your standard or qualification. One just need to ask them.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Ineke, it's in no small part down to you that I made this video. Thanks so much for your suggestions. I didn't know Rosemary and Co did that! How exciting! After feedback, Im also going to give the Rsoemary red dot Designers no. 1 a go as the nib looks longer, and more similar to what Im used to. So thankyou so much for the inspiration to do this film! x

[@inekedusseljee3093]

@@LizzieHarperillustrator I just ordered my new brushes. They are on their way right now. And that is thanks to you! I should thank you! You could become an affiliate for them maybe? If you really really like working with their brushes. Maybe you could have a discount then? Looking forward to learning more from you. So thank you for all your blogs and KZbin videos.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Ineke, well if they sell any it's down to you not me! Hope you enjoy them. x

[@Tser]

I know this is an old video, but I also am a vegetarian and so I've avoided fur brushes and I'm always looking for new ones to try. I've been using the Princeton Neptune (faux squirrel) and Mimik (faux squirrel and sable) brushes for quite a while (synthetic brushes have come a looong way recently). I really want to try the Rosemary & Co synthetics; I do wish they had a synthetic travel brush for plein air! I also have the Escoda synthetics on my wishlist. The Mimik and Neptunes I have have an amazing sharp point, but the problem I've had is that after around six months of heavy use the tip -- still sharp -- starts to develop a curve. I think this must be from friction (like the faux fur of a plush animal cuddled by a child every night getting crinkly). I'm not sure if this is true of all synthetics or if there's a way to fix it... I've actually kept using them for many years after that, but they get a hook at the end.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Hi Tser, the kinking of the tip seems to be a recurrent problem. If I remember rightly, I think someone might have mentioned that popping them in boiling water might unkink the tip? I've recently had another suggestion for the Escoda range along with yours, which I want to try at some point. And you're right, I fell like every few weeks there's another excellent synthetic popping up. Definitely a subject I need to revist, as you say, even since I made this film things have come a long way. Thanks so much for the comment.

[@rebekahaurie6252]

Thank you, helpful...😊

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

You're welcome 😊

[@zenaidaportalino9016]

Bello

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Thankyou!

[@iwanttofart8009]

I found what helps keep the shape of your Windsor newton brush is if you roll your brush while picking up your paint to keep your point.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Great tip! And yes, I do this too. Someone once told me that if you dip your brushes in egg white and freeze them overnight then you revitalise the tips, but I've not tried that yet. Certainly the final twist in the paint as you rasie the brush is an excellent tip. thankyou.