How to use waterbrush pen like a PRO ARTIST (Plus #1 tip save money on paint without losing quality)

[@sandyowncrafts]

Water brush pens can be as much fun as they're complicated. Well, not anymore! Here's all you need to know about them 😊

[@jooglerman]

WATERBRUSH TIP: I swap colors quickly by using 3 water brushes at a time. One for the warm colors, one for cool colors, and a third ready for any random quick need but mainly used as the ready & clear water supply for wetting down the pans as needed. That way I don't have to clean/wipe the other two brushes very much as I'm in the "creative zone." I don't clean between colors most of the time with this cool warm system & it works great. As another commenter mentioned, The Kuretake Zigs are THE best. I just wish I could get them in a larger brush size. But the 3 I have are still my favorite water pens of the MANY I've tried.

[@sandyowncrafts]

Love that! Even easier ☺️

[@izzyg8316]

Any feedback on the Sakura Koi waterbrushes?

[@sandyowncrafts]

@@izzyg8316 I've never tried them. I'd love to know too.

[@izzyg8316]

@sandyowncrafts I have the one that came with my Sakura set. Saddly, because this is my first waterbrush ever, I can't really compare it. Although I've seen other artists saying the Sakura ones are a notch below the famous Kuretake, so my take is that they are not too shabby! 😁

[@cherylotto-cunningham1843]

Comment from a person who has used watercolor brushes for over 10 years. These should be used like regular brushes, in that they should NOT be used to pull up color into the barrell itself when dipping into paint. If you need your paint pan to be wetter, squeeze water drops onto your paint before putting the brush into the paint. In general, the usage of a watercolor pen is to apply water onto your art. Regular use is not to have colored water in the barrel. If you find you do need to pull paint up into the barrel of your pen, dedicate a pen just for this purpose so you don't have to clean all your pens. I've actually never pulled color into my barrel. There are beautiful and vibrant watercolor pens already filled with watercolor on the market. Ordinarily, use the brush to dip into your color and to apply the color with the brush. Carefully use how much water you add while painting by gently squeezing your brush to control the release of more water. Dry it off and use it to pick up excess paint and puddles. A big thing to consider is that a watercolor brush usually is already wet before you dip it into your paint. It's a good idea to give it a gentle dab on your arm or tap on a paper towel to learn just how wet you want your brush to be.

[@sandyowncrafts]

Thank you for your input 😁

[@Msboochie2]

@@sandyowncraftsAs a novice to water brushes, I have contaminated my water reserve with paint. Of course it was not intentional, or by design. People never address this when talking about waterbrushes, and it can be a major setback when plen-air painting. Luckily, I was at home, but it was still annoying, and discouraging when you have very limited time for art. New artists often make the most helpful videos because their journey is still fresh in their minds. Newer artists are often still humble and relatable, unlike many people who are more experienced, and have forgotten that they too had the learn. Great video!

[@sandyowncrafts]

@@Msboochie2 Hi. Absolutely, that's the whole point of this channel, if I'm honest. To make things simple and easy, easy enough for me as a beginner to understand. Hopefully it will help other beginners too!

[@almas.2530]

I also love water brush pens. I use them with watercolor pans and with all kind of water soluble mediums. I find them easier and more comfortable to use than traditional brushes. Thanks for your useful advice!

[@sandyowncrafts]

Yeah, I'm definitely start to seeing that too. So much fun too! 😁

[@jekalambert9412]

"Press, and the water comes flooding out" couldn't be a more accurate description of Pentel Aqwash water brushes. The flooding feature of this brand makes it one of those art supply purchase regrets. I thought I hated water brushes after using the uncontrollable Aqwash variety because everything I attempted resulted in a flooded mess. 7 years later, someone convinced me to try a Kuratake Zig water brush. Totally different. The water flows instead of floods. This gives you the ability to place your water media where you want it. I love my Zig water brush, but cannot say anything nice about the Aqwash variety demonstrated here.

[@sandyowncrafts]

I've heard very good things about Kuretake water brush pens and so far everything I've tried from Kuretake I love so... I guess I'll have to try them 😁 thank you

[@jooglerman]

Completely agree with EVERYTHING you just said. The pentel aquash was an instant regret for my traveling watercolor plans, not even usable at home it's so out of control. The Zigs are THE best. I just wish I could get them in a larger brush size. But the 3 I have are still my favorite water pens of the MANY I've tried. I swap colors quickly by using 3 water brushes at a time. One for the warm colors, one for cool colors, and a third ready for any random quick need but mainly used as the ready & clear water supply for wetting down the pans as needed. That way I don't have to clean/wipe the other two brushes very much as I'm in the "creative zone."

[@izzyg8316]

The tutorial I didn't know I needed. Thanks Sandy! 🥰

[@sandyowncrafts]

My pleasure 😁

[@jacquelynquiocho9856]

I’ve played around putting alcohol in the pen and using alcohol ink. Fun❤

[@sandyowncrafts]

That is an awesome effect 😁

[@cindyremski3442]

Excellent advice and instructions. Thanks!

[@sandyowncrafts]

Thank you 😊

[@SweetieMcPetey]

Thanks for this video! I was struggling with water control and getting frustrated.

[@sandyowncrafts]

Glad I could help! 😀

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

I used walnut oil in these water brush pen and used for urban sketching with oil paints ..just started have to see

[@skeeni5084]

I love my water brush pens thanks for the video I need to go make some art now hehe

[@sandyowncrafts]

😁 have fun!

[@juliec.]

Great instructions and tips. 👍🏻👍🏻. Thank you.

[@sandyowncrafts]

My pleasure!😀

[@tonyshaw13]

you can aslo use them with fountain pen ink, just fill the belly bit with 50/50 ink and water, this helps for covering larger areas and if you add mica into the mix, the results can be dramatic to say the least

[@sandyowncrafts]

Need to give it a try 😁

[@slateportraichu5416]

Thank you for all the tips=3 Have a wonderful week!=3

[@sandyowncrafts]

You too! 😊

[@maisycakes1125]

Very practical and useful tips - Thankyou

[@berolinastrassmann]

When sketching in museums, watercolor pencils + waterbrush is what I bring. Most museums don't allow you to bring water tomuse full fledged watercolours or gouache, but a small waterbrush is OK.

[@sandyowncrafts]

I'd love that! Sketching in a museum must be so inspiring!

[@julianblake8385]

Maaaaaaaaaaan, I just got one and I'm hating it! I come from traditional Sable brushes, I find these water brushes so hard to control. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I mix my colours on the palette, I try to get some colour on the bristles, but they seem to suck all the pigment in (not in the water reservoir tho), and when I put it on the paper, there is not much pigment saturation. I mix some more, and then I press to get some more water, and all the pigment suddenly comes out, so it gets too saturated and mostly ruins my paintings. What am I doing wrong?

[@sandyowncrafts]

Yeah, if you come from sable brushes, the difference is huge! It's not that you doing anything wrong, it's that you need to know your waterbrush before painting with it, each are different in terms of how to release water and how much at a time. So what I would suggest is doing some exercises beforehand to get a hang of it. Once you do, they're a lot of fun! Good luck!

[@unwoven921]

Waterbrushes do come in Flats

[@sandyowncrafts]

Yes, flat and round

[@Msboochie2]

1:49

[@edelcunningham9528]

God how bad is this