Watercolor Brushes You’ll Actually Use!!!

[@KristyRice]

Well friends, I finally made the video. Brushes befuddle us more than we think and now we have the beginnings of knowledge to know why! Comments on this and let us know what brush is or has been causing you frustration....Everything we post here is destined to help a community member someday, somehow :)

[@maggiedolly123]

Hello! I just ordered three sets of your brushes; two for myself and one set for my twelve year old neighbor/art student. We've been painting together for a couple of years and have watched several of your videos for inspiration and education. I love your explanation of these different brushes!! Even though I am the "teacher" I still have so much to learn. I am 71, and I just want to put in a plug for practicing. I have always been artistic, dabbling in various mediums through the years. But having a young person to work with has made me draw or paint EVERY day, and my skill level has jumped exponentially!!!! So, to anyone out there who needs to hear this, just do something every day - it makes a world of difference!!! PS - can't wait to try your brushes!! ❤

[@eileencollins3126]

You have just validated my collection of a LOT of brushes and defined qualities to look for in each brush that makes it similar, but different than other brushes. :) "The More You Get to Know Each Bush, the Better you'll Be Able To Anticipate the Best Times To Use Each Brush" is SO important! As my skills grow, so do the nuances of using each brush. Now, practice, practice, practice!!

[@KristyRice]

Yess!

[@snuuby5468]

Exactly what I have found when using different brushes. My favourites are natural hair brushes for the amount of water they hold. But not every natural hair brush performs equally. My goat hair brush is like a synthetic and, Squirrel is floppy and very soft, etc.

[@alisonwest3142]

My father was a gifted, self-taught oil artist. For as long as I can remember I've felt an urge to paint, but just a glance at one of his painting made a pit of fear in my stomach and I've never been able to put a brush to paper. Then I stumbled across your beginner video series and I was ecstatic!!! Your joy-filled approach to painting & teaching removed all traces of fear. I'm starting from scratch and ordered your 'Fear has no place here' brushes, Academy paper, and one of the beginner paint sets you recommend. Everything should be here by next weekend and I can't wait to give this a try! ***One question...when will your Art for Joy's Sake brushes be available again?*** After watching this video, I want to set myself up for success (by getting ALL your your brushes) and would prefer not spending money to experiment with other brands.

[@bettyphillips4386]

When I first started painting in December, I spent a lot of money buying brushes because I didn't know what I didn't know. I tended to lean toward the Princeton Velvet Touch. Then I bought your brushes. I still use my Princeton brushes for some things because I am still learning about your brushes. Thank you for the tutorial. Things make a lot more sense now.

[@KristyRice]

I’m so glad this was helpful :)

[@rwv3n]

just started my journey into watercolours yesterday and had purchased a beginner set of brushes. yes, it's true that the brushes make the entire experience. i used to be a makeup artist, and immediately knew what the problem was with the brushes i just randomly bought for watercolours after working witht them for an hour. it's great to see the different types of brushes and how they perform in real time, your descriptions of each "feel" of the brush on paper is very helpful.

[@KristyRice]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@Jas-zzz]

This explains so much !😅 What a timely video. Thank you for helping me to not be so hard on myself and understanding what I am working with has an effect as well.💜💜

[@KristyRice]

You're so welcome!

[@isabellewood2381]

Got some brushes when I first started my journey in February. They were fine, at least from my perspective as a beginner. Then ordered your sets, and oh boy!!! The snapiness, the control, so much joy to paint with them! Still can’t get my hand to get some goods out of the daggers yet (I know, practice, practice, practice!). But the Joy Chaser, the liner, and the #12 round…. Beautilful! It’s clear how much thoughts you’ve put in their conception. It seems like they really reflect your personality as an artist. And they are definitely a big part of my new found watercolor journey!

[@KristyRice]

So excited to hear this!!

[@melissab3038]

I’ve had both full sets of your brushes for a couple of weeks now @KristyRice and I have collected a LOT MORE brushes in the last 7 years, but, I must admit that I really really enjoy your brushes so much more!!! Thank you for designing some amazing paint brushes 🙌👍

[@KristyRice]

That is awesome! Thank you!

[@annewatman677]

I watched you demonstrate how to use your dagger brush recently. I noticed the curve and that it was a little shorter than most, so I decided to buy your first travel kit, which includes two dagger brushes. WOW, it’s a game changer! I had so much fun following your video again, and then trying some flowers on my own. I have LOTS of brushes, and I also have that Silver Black dagger. It really is too soft, although I can do some very nice strokes with it. I have an entire set of Silver Black brushes, and they are not beginner friendly. They work great for some things, but they are definitely very soft. Anyway, I’m so happy with the set I got, that I immediately went back and purchased the second set! Thank you, Kristy!!!

[@KristyRice]

I think that’s the important point… certain brushes just aren’t beginner friendly :) thanks so much for chiming in

[@jenniferbearham6278]

Totally agree about animal hybrids. I use other brands but find both your sets give easier control, especially for a beginner, intermediate artist,but still manage the perfection a professional seeks. I now use my other brushes for gouache and acrylic or watercolour inks to give mine a longer life.Also never lost a bristle on any of your sets and I have the whole collection!

[@KristyRice]

Thanks soooo much for sharing!!

[@TheCurlywon]

Thank you so much for this video. I thought I was loosing my mind. I have been trying to self teach watercolor and couldn’t get very good results.

[@KristyRice]

You are 100% not losing your mind! I knew this video needed to be made :)

[@patvickery6890]

Thank you for explaining why my brushes don't always do what I want them to do!

[@KristyRice]

You are so welcome!

[@lmessenger4171]

Hi Kristie! I love your brushes. Thank you !!!

[@KristyRice]

You are so welcome!

[@sarahkokura6349]

I use rosemary. I had to learn that there was nuance because not the shape shape exactly. But the shape was similar enough to give me the skill I needed. Rounds are not my friend. The dots are just so affordable. And my husband buys from them. Doesn’t mean I don’t have a “wish” list…. Wink wink… but saving on brushes and paper means I can save for lessons. Which is what I really need now.

[@KristyRice]

Yes this is all so important to recognize!

[@elenawalls5234]

Thank you Kristie. You bring your knowledge down to my level. Love your brushes

[@KristyRice]

Appreciate that and you!

[@NessaWolfeMuller]

Ordering your brushes in a couple days! Just got the swatch stamp set yesterday, love it! Great discussion on brushes, thank you.

[@KristyRice]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@janaicaandersonart]

Great comparison video! Thanks for this Kristy.

[@KristyRice]

You are so welcome!

[@theresapalmer7892]

Awesome demo. Now I need to take my brushes out and play with them and see what I like ir dislike about each one. Why wasn't I smart enough to figure this out on my own ??? So today will be a play day.

[@KristyRice]

Sounds like a fun day!

[@kathydinkel8718]

I love love love your Liner brush! I have your travel brush and the point on it is fabulous! I am so glad I bought one of your brush sets. And will buy the other soon. The video was very informative. I play with all of my brushes. Love to experiment 😬

[@KristyRice]

Yay! Thank you!

[@gigiartstudiowithartistvir3919]

I don't like any of my Silver Black Velvet brushes anymore. I think they wore out quickly and I didn't like the lack of responsiveness overall. I decided to give the Red Dot collection by Rosemary and Co a try. They are pretty good! Lately though, I do most of my painting with cheap Chinese calligraphy brushes. I can get very precise details with them but also use them similar to how I'd use a mop because they hold a lot of water and pigment.

[@CrissyVetter]

I've tried a lot of different brushes & Yes they all have a time & place, But I find myself reaching for your brushes the most often

[@KristyRice]

Aww well thank you :)

[@HeatherHogue73]

I got a Roman Szmal dagger, instead of investing in Kristy’s set. It’s such a good alternative! It’s snappy, it comes to a great sharp point, holds its shape but also holds plenty of paint.

[@KristyRice]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@lozantoninocreations]

I love a review. It helps me avoid hotels in very sketchy areas of a city or avoid food poisoning somewhere. But when it comes to Amazon art supply reviews, 😑they can not be trusted at a., especially when it comes to brushes. People just want cheap and they only give 5 stars to things that are. It is the worst place to actually get reviews from actual artists because there are a 1000 more people who will give it 5 stars based on the price and also their limited experience. The good brushes, will get voted down, because they are a little more exy. I have been taught in other paint mediums and I always feel that there is never enough lessons on the actual brushes to use. So many videos will show people how to paint something beautiful, but they almost always fail to mention the brushes they are using and if they are hard or soft or something in between. A novice has no chance of replicating that beautiful painting, when they are trying to paint with oils and only have watercolor brushes for example. They will just get frustrated and give up, and its another person lost to the hobby. My husband always makes fun when I come up with science observations and calls it "Wifey Science", which I think is on par with Kristy Science lol

[@rosemariecooke9616]

Great video! I think I now understand why I haven't been able to he successful with any of the daggers I have....they are to long. I need yours. 😊

[@KristyRice]

Well you may want to go back to try one of those again knowing what you know now :)

[@angiegrace7143]

My big fave at the moment is a particular cheap brand of water brush (30 of them for $20). They zing like the Escobar round you demonstrated and I can paint all day with a squeeze bottle of water, a water brush, a dirty dish towel for wiping my brush clean and no actual container of rinse water - which for some reason is a real convenience to me because having fill or clean a jar of rinse water is enough to put me off painting for the day. 🤪 It’s a trade-off. No gorgeous Kristy style leaves for me, but instead the instant satisfaction of dipping into my pretty Kristy palette boxes constantly throughout the day without having to deal with any set up. 🤣❤️ (I do still want those pretty brushes with inspiring names on them though!)

[@KristyRice]

I LOVE THIS! Do what works for you :)

[@TheDaisytails]

I just got Kristy's brush set yesterday but has not been able to play with it yet. I am very confused about brushes. I do think I like snappy ones. I am a real beginner. Maybe will have time to. play today so this vid is very well timed. Thanks!!

[@KristyRice]

Please reach out with any questions! Instagram DM’s is the best place @kristythepainter

[@sarah_chalk]

Yup, Dee’s book is Fyees Paper - I immediately looked it up when she said said what it was during the live 😊 Thank you so much for this, Kristy!! This is something I have *always* really struggled with with both my watercolor, and acrylic brushes. The inconsistency between the length, width, and taper of bristles of the same material alone, in brushes that are the same shape, and) size, across brands has always perplex me. Honestly, it makes about as much sense to me as US Womens and Juniors clothing sizes. Which is almost nothing. (Inseam = Handle Length. Rise [when there is an actual X” measurement given] = Ferrule Length…maybe, sometimes? 🤷🏻‍♀️ It made sense in my head haha.)

[@KristyRice]

So glad!

[@wildflower1397]

The only brushes I started with were a 6 round Velvetouch, an 8 round Aqua Elite, and an 8 filbert Velvetouch. I added a Princeton Aqua Elite 3/8" dagger after watching your videos, and it is a nightmare. It's so long and soft that I don't have any control, which basically negates the entire point of buying a unique shape. If I decide to try a dagger again, I will definitely get yours instead.

[@KristyRice]

Oh aim sorry to hear that. The brush can realllly make or break things :(

[@melissab3038]

@@wildflower1397 I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Kristy’s brushes - I have bought at least 5 other dagger brushes in search of one ☝️ that would paint a reproducible stroke without 10 years of practice and 4 years of art school - even a Terry Harrison set and he’s a super famous watercolorist who has taught thousands of students how to watercolor. NOT ONE of them was 1/10th the quality of the KristyRice brushes. Seriously upped the quality of my painting. In 2 weeks I have put out some seriously decent quality of artwork because of these brushes and Kristy’s skills in showing how they work best.

[@Lacroix999]

Just a bit of info you may not have thought of on your brush supply hunt: I’m willing to bet that the majority of people who are buying the ‘bulk’ packages of brushes on Amazon 1:22 aren’t even using them themselves, but are purchasing them for paint parties to teach classes and/or to put in their kits. As someone who used to be a part of that community, I can say a lot of those packages were recommended for that purpose to purchase because they were cheaper and convenient to buy for paint party kits/for paint party in person supplies for their customers to use. And most of the time when someone purchases a brush for personal use, they don’t usually buy more than what they need. But I would have had the same idea to do research for the most popular supplies purchased just the same, but this popped up in my head as soon as I saw you showing these packages from Amazon and thought I’d share that info with you because it reminded of seeing as soon as a new place to purchase these supplies was mentioned in these paint party groups, other people in these groups would flock to purchase them for their businesses as well. So just a thought on that! ❤

[@KristyRice]

Ahhh so true. Yes those value pouches of brushes we see… great point :)

[@ChantelleArts]

this is so good, such a fantastic video ☺☺

[@KristyRice]

Thanks!

[@patlatour2465]

Princeton are some of my favorites thanks for all the information on the brushes I gave some I like and some I definetly hate lol.😊😂😊

[@KristyRice]

You bet!!

[@Kreative_Rainbow]

Interesting to see the differences!! 🤗🥰

[@KristyRice]

Right?!

[@Kreative_Rainbow]

@@KristyRice 🤗😍🥰

[@sharimeline3077]

Great information about brushes, thanks!

[@KristyRice]

You bet!

[@amyklinke1553]

Thanks for this! It's really important for beginners like me to understand just how different these tools behave. (I'm looking at you princeton neptune dagger😑)

[@KristyRice]

Yeaaah I feel that!

[@DIVINE.ST4RLET]

It’s been a minute since I’ve seen you and I’m so happy you showed up on my homepage

[@KristyRice]

I’m glad I did too!!

[@mimitortilla157]

Will your brush set be coming back in stock?

[@kathyb521]

Your liner is by far the best liner I have ever used unfortunately, my cat decided it tasted good and took a bite and now the bristles are all wonky lol may have to buy a new one.

[@KristyRice]

Oh no!

[@Art_by_Nicole]

11:14 I used your brushes as an example to look for an alternative. I found brushes from Windsor & Newton that looked very similar as yours. I bought a round brush with a very sharp point. Do you have experience with the W&N brushes?

[@KristyRice]

I do! I’ve just not found they come to a sharp enough point for me

[@Art_by_Nicole]

@@KristyRice okay thank you. It’s my first big-girl-brush so maybe it’s good enough for me as a beginner. If I get frustrated I know it’s not my fault. I will look at the brushes and paper right away. I still don’t have WC-paint yet. I’ve watched your video about paint but I can’t make a choice. For now I can create pretty things with Inktense 😍

[@xhoxolatequilts]

Side bar....what about a wisp brush...I got one because it was deeply discounted and it is so much fun! I HAVE A VARIETY OF DAGGERS DUE TO YOU USING THE DAGGER...I DO LOVE YOUR DAGGER AS IT IS EASIER TO USE...the black velvet dagger is MUCH harder to use but some of the results are amazingly stunning...so now I have a collection of daggers all thanks to you for your enthusiastic love of painting...I WANT AN ANTIQUE COLLECTION OF PALETTES LIKE YOU!!!!...

[@KristyRice]

Yes an arsenal of daggers would be awesome!!

[@FuumuuiArt-001]

Would you like to test FUUMUUI brushes?😊

[@HollyOly]

Is it “better” to get all your brushes from the same maker? Intuitively, I feel like that’s the best way to get the full range of strokes. 🧐

[@KristyRice]

Not necessarily as long as you know how each brush differs, you can certainly hugely benefit from the variety

[@marlenaamalfitano2727]

The long bristle soft daggers are so hard to use. I was happy to find anther good artist who hated them , then I didn't feel so dumb. But the y do make great one stroke h

[@marlenaamalfitano2727]

To finish:: great one stroke butterfly wings

[@catsthinkoutsidethebox]

I'm a new subscriber; love your "joy" & inspiration! Watched your crayola vid among others & have been playing with warmup exercises with a kid's mini-paint set that fits in my purse with folded paper "to go", reserving my quality 36 color "professional" set & various brushes for the next level. Now that I have used up almost all of that paint, I can appreciate the crappy mini brush & may use it for special effects. I hope to order your brush set soon, having noticed it is out of stock on your site, so I anticipate shopping thru amazon. (Saw the vid about your discount- idk if that is still an option?) There's an artist supplier in town, but I may still order your paint set in addition to your brush sets? Idk about paper, yet but am looking forward to watching more of your vids. Thanks for helping me get back to joyfully playing with paint!

[@KristyRice]

So glad you’re here!!! Yes I actually painted an entire rose recently in a vid here with a very gross brush and the results were fun! The discount is still available. Just email [e-mail] :)

[@SuperCutealien]

I have a Callia dagger that I like. Also have the Black Velvet, not a fan. I’m trying to like my Black Velvets. Not there yet.

[@KristyRice]

It takes time :)

[@alyshiarobison2290]

thanka!

[@JoyBackyardPainter]

??? As more of a beginner, who uses mostly Canson XL water color or mixed media paper, is more to my advantage to use brushes that hold LESS water? At least at this point in my art journey?

[@KristyRice]

I think it could help you to use synthetic that hold less water yes :)

[@lisamurphy5007]

Princeton velvet touch

[@KristyRice]

Yup!

[@jadenfoxx9159]

Silver black velvet=$50+ per brush on blick, for anyone curious. Unless I get to try it first, I'll probably never own one lol

[@Art_by_Nicole]

Holy cow! 😱