Da Vinci Cosmotop Mix B - Watercolor Brush Review Ep. 8

[@footloosegoose7463]

Been using a 8 & 4 round Cosmotop B brushes for a year now. The 8 is my workhorse brush. Highly recommended!

[@donaldcaron8095]

I have 7 of the brushes that I do a variety of tasks with, so far I'm happy with them; i like the plyability and the volumn of paint they hold. Furthermore they seem rather tough and are well made. They like cleaning and seem to work better with a tinge of hair conditioner to keep them soft and manageable.

[@Tennishead21]

Are you planning on trying the Da Vinci Colineo, their new range of synthetic Kolinsky sable watercolour brushes? I think you would like these. 🙂

[@awatercolourist]

Hi Oto! Thanks for another great video. Have you considered reviewing the newly released Da Vinci Colineo and their Casaneo brushes? I’d also love to have your opinion on the Akashiya synthetic Sharaku brushes and how they compare to Japanese natural hair brushes, if you have any.

[@weekend_art]

I just received Colineo sword in size 14 and omg, it’s very satisfying to touch and do washes with it. So +1 to Casaneo and Colineo review!

[@awatercolourist]

@@weekend_art That is sooo cool! They just came out a week or two ago 😃. So how does it feel? Is it like kolinsky or squirrel? Does it hold water well? And How about the release, does it release it evenly? You know what, I’ll go check whether someone has uploaded a video about Colineo brushes… bye!

[@weekend_art]

@@awatercolourist Do you know Rosemary’s sable-nylon mixed dagger? This one is almost identical to the feel, maybe a tad softer: it comes back to the point but doesn’t feel too springy. Hard to say about water holding capacity as it’s flat, but seems pretty good to me, less than squirrel or Casaneo of course

[@awatercolourist]

@@weekend_art Thanks so much! I haven’t tried Rosemary & Co brushes before, but I still find your description very useful. Thanks again 😃

[@atelierthhun1165]

Hi, this is a search I'm doing too. So far, alas, even the initially best performing synthetics I got don't have the durability of my animal hair brushes - splaying and losing their point quickly compared to some of my decades old hair ones that are still good. (I bought a Casaneo and mix B 8 to compare and found the mix B far nicer and easier to use.) I will therefore be following your series with interest . Many thanks.

[@sofie-7651]

Hi Oto, thank you so much for this series! I understand that you don't want to use brushes that are too expensive, but on the other hand it would be great for comparison. All of the brushes you reviewed have some pro and cons and I think it would be really interesting to see if the more expensive brushes are really better. I would for instance be interested to see how they compare to a full sable brush. I know they are expensive, especially the kolinsky sable brushes, but I saw a red sable brush of Rembrandt size 10 for around 25 euros. Maybe that is an option for a review?

[@Finkeldinken]

I think I might like this one too. My grip changes depending on both the style I paint and what kind of control I am looking for, but my most used grip is probably just around the end of the ferrule.

[@CastleMc]

I have several of these brushes (8 and 6) and while they look fluffy when dry and do hold a lot of water and pigment, they actually come to a very nice point when wet. I find that they are versatile all-purpose brushes because they can make a wide variety of line widths and small marks.

[@Cheetarah]

Thank you for this wonderful review! I have a size 8 and it's a perfect size for my sketchbook washes.

[@mumfESC]

If you are looking for a cruelty free version of this, I have the DaVinci Casaneo, and it is made from synthetic Kazan squirrel hair. I feel like it honestly acts like this cosmotop brush, and I love it for doing big washes and gradations. Not so much for fine details, but that's not what I got it for.

[@jenwilly7260]

I adore the Cosmotop Mix B brushes! I have a size 6 round, and it is the same size as some of my size 8's. If they were better with thin lines, they would be my literal perfect brushes...

[@JosefinaH33]

Thanks Oto! Have you considered reviewing Jackson’s new Kite Sinthetic kolinsky brush ?

[@SarahNotSara]

Hi Oto. I know you've already done the Princeton Heritage review, but you might really like the Princeton Aqua Elite brushes too. The Aqua Elite is a sweet spot between the thirsty Neptune and the Heritage. Good luck in your brush finding journey, it's very interesting getting to see your reviews.

[@nancylee2120]

I have 2 of these brushes and find that they handle really well, especially for the relatively low price.

[@rebeccapage4411]

My fave brushes! The size zero mop is quite a bit easier to get fine lines with than the round.

[@moryemme7254]

I have a 6 and 8 Comotop Mix B and love them, I agree with everything you said.

[@Wendybogmans]

These da Vinci mix B flats are fine for gouache, i like it. Thanks for this vlog and info , for watercolor i dont use them but after this i will give it a go and buy a round brush.

[@Charlotte-sq8cq]

I have some of these brushes and they are really good.

[@TMewhinney1]

The pencil like shape of the barrel may be so it doesn’t roll when laid down.

[@LesileNeidig]

I have a da Vinci casaneo 2 quill that is synthetic I use all the time. I love to paint with it.

[@kmeldrom6932]

Thanks for this, Oto. I’ve tried the Cosmotop Spin; the “Mix” I’ve never heard of? I wish brush makers would have a pdf of every brush they make, in every size made. Anyone know of any? I search for “big rigger” all the time, online and in stores. Think I’ll look for this one. For instance, I didn’t know Princeton made pointed rounds till I saw a video and it was being used. It was a relatively easy search, once I knew what to look for. This series has been very informative. Thanks again 🌺

[@martinanelsonartandpsychol6478]

Thank you for the review. I did not realize that there is a cosmotop Mix. I only tried a Cosmotop Spin and didn’t like it. I also have more brushes from Da Vinci and I am holding them pretty much where the angled belly part is. So for me its good.

[@leenb.7936]

Ooh, now I want this brush! Although I don’t like that it’s not exactly cruelty free. I have the Cosmotop Spin (so the synthetic ones with red handle, unless I’m mixing up my facts 🫢) and I absolutely love it. I only have the dagger and cat’s tongue brushes though. I’m still too new to this to know wether or not a normal round has it’s own benefits (do let me know, please) Thanks for another great review, thorough as always. I really admire the amount of detailed work you do or research!

[@danieljamesbinderystu2968]

I got 2 of these brushes when I bought the Schmincke 140 full pan wooden box set. I usually use Sable brushes from Raphael, Da Vinci and Escoda... I couldn't get used to these Mix B brushes!!! Everytime I tried using them, I would make a mess because the are very mushy and they have no spring at all. I tried practicing with them, I tried doing swatches with them.... nope, not for me lol. I got a size 8 and 10 with that set, now they sit in my brush holder and stay there.

[@ronblackburn308]

I have this brush in size 12. Little disappointed in the tip but love the load capaicity and sable like feel. Best for the midpoint in painting and use the smaller rounds or rigger for the details. I have seen Andrew Pitt use this 12 brush in videos.

[@theresarowe1656]

I hold my brush in the middle out to the outer end depending on the looseness of my project.

[@stacys447]

Once you get through the brushes to review, can you compare and contrast the set together? I am curious how they might group together, as some might have similar characteristics across brands and perform well for similar jobs. It seems like certain brushes might be better for certain tasks, like this review. Just a thought. Thanks so much for the review. I always learn a lot.

[@katdam2279]

Hi Oto, I'm just starting out and love your videos. I am intrigued by the printed sheet you are using for your test page. Is that something you printed or did you purchase it?

[@LisaSandboge]

I have a few of these and I really like them! I also have a few of the Cosmotop mix F, and I like that mix too, but I think it’s a bit stiffer. I also think that the mix B holds more water than mix F. Unfortunately my youngest kid decide to play with some scissors too near the mix F brushes, so I need to replace them some day.

[@jenwilly7260]

What is in the Mix F?

[@sunnyschramm9650]

the second brush from da vinci which disappoints me in fact of quality after the casaneo 498 No. 2 - this one got so much loose hair around the outside 😞

[@ms.rocketscience4924]

Thank you for sharing this video, it was very helpful and informative. I really like how this brush performed for you. I have a size 4 which I like, and a size 18 (because it came in a set for an amazing price). I haven’t mastered the 18 yet, but these are really lovely brushes. Would Rosemary & Co. or Betty Hayways brushes be candidates for testing?

[@koskey06]

This sounds like my perfect brush

[@shetanchan5126]

I almost did not watch this video because I really don't like the cosmotop Mix B. However I enjoyed your review very much. Mine do not come to a nice point at all und thats what bothers me the most. I'd rather use a kolinsky hair brush. But recently I found really good synthetic brushes at gerstaecker (their I love Art watercolor brushes) with a really nice point and good water capacity. And above al they are dirt cheap ^^

[@schuhujin5019]

Da vinci Casaneo Brushes are vegan. They come in a wide range of forms and sizes, even short and travel versions. I have some of them and I love them.

[@rabenglanz8097]

I like the Da Vinci Casaneo vegan brushes.

[@Mlle_Bleue]

I've only one cosmotop but I'm inpressed overall. And Prado are still crap, I agree.

[@renmuffett]

I personally cannot evaluate a brush without doing a snap test while wet. You don't use your fingers. Just a flick of the brush while wet. It will bounce back to a sharp point straight up or lean slightly or not look that pointed, or flop right over. If I don't see this for myself, I cannot determine how firm or soft it is let alone the degree of sharpness. A good large round no matter how large should be able to paint out the thinnest hairline from the tip.

[@awatercolourist]

First!

[@hazimobedo1370]

Raphael SoftAqua 845