Testing Out Different Princeton Brush Sets!

[@OhJodi69]

Nearly all of my brushes are various Princeton, and I've never been disappointed in any of them, including their value brush sets. When I need brushes, I just shop for Princeton, because I know I'll be happy with it, and it just makes it so easy instead of comparing dozens of brands and prices. There are very few things I am "brand loyal" to, but Princeton is one.

[@Tugboat-R-Us]

I used my Velvetouch today for the first time before I watched this video. I was struggling trying to figure out which brush I like for watercolor and gouache. I’m so glad I watched your video bc it helped me understand what I like in a brush. I can’t use a brush that loads a ton of water but I can’t use a brush that doesn’t either. That’s why Velvetouch works for me. Using gradation with skies with the wash….omg…amazing and if you want beautiful wispy clouds, then flip the flat wash on its side…so beautiful.

[@MelissaRippy]

I love all my Princeton brushes, especially the Velvetouch Petals Brush and the Neptune Small Rounds

[@thepoodledoodlepainter]

As a beginner I watched so many tutorials and Silver black velvet brushes seemed to be a top favourite. I wanted to get the best I could afford so I invested in the full set. But I struggled with my art, especially florals and leaves. I couldn't get the points I needed or the petal shapes.....especially roses!! After watching lots and lots of your tutorials and hearing how you preferred the snap brushes I looked into them. It's pretty hard to find Princeton brushes in the UK but I managed to get some and WOW. Game changer! Overnight I could produce pretty decent Rose's! I have since also started collecting the Neptune range and much prefer them to the Silver black velvet ones, so much so that I sold them all last week and now I'm a fully committed Princeton fan 🥰 Thank you for sharing all this information which was really interesting. I think I'm going to start collecting the velvetouch range and then I'm covered for everything 🥰

[@amypanddirtytoo1926]

I love the Neptune brushes and I use the Velvetouch for mixed media. They are awesome. And the Velvetouch just came out with a new brush that I am absolutely in love with. It's called the Petals brush and it's like a pyramid shape only with the point of the pyramid on the side instead of directly in the center? You will definitely love the Velvetouch line too, especially since you can use them for watercolor, inks, acrylic, gouache, AND oil so you really are covered for everything!

[@ArtBrain]

I think the point and purpose of the long rounds is so you can do fine lines and have a big belly full of paint so that you can use it forever without dipping. If you're doing a lot of line-work, the big belly comes in handy. It's not really for things like roses. On the Neptunes, I especially like the washes. You can really make connection with the paper. It's pleasing, hard to describe. Neither the Heritage nor the Select hold enough water -- at least this is true with the ones I have. The Aqua Elite are okay, but I only have a couple of specialty brushes. My favorite so far of the Princetons is the Velvetouch, kind of hits my sweet spot of holds water/snaps a bit. I remember the shader from tole painting. Dip one side in one color, the other in another color and have a blended two-tone effect on the fly. I started with the Mimik brushes (the house brand from Jerry's). Those are a sweet spot too. But I really need to pick up the Snaps after this video!

[@PatriciaGodboutArt]

I am no fan of the snaps but I love my aqua elites I have a #12 and an 8, that is all I could afford. I stick to my rounds. But recently I have learned to use the daggers, with kristy. I would loveto try the velvets.

[@PatriciaGodboutArt]

Lucky you to get all these gifts, you worked hard to get there, so you deserve it. Am just jealous . You are a great a nd very generous teacher. Thanks Emma I hate snap brushes but I love

[@diannetepe4899]

Thank you for this demonstration!. I'm very new to watercolor. I was painting along with your video on loose florals and even tho I was using the same size brush, I now understand why I couldn't get the thicker petals. I was using a "long round" which has the slimmer belly. And it's very "floppy". So many nuances to watercolor and its fun to unravel the mysteries! Sooo much to learn! Thanks for your videos!!!

[@allisonhollier118]

So funny, I watched this video months ago when it was new… and then a few months ago after traveling, I lost my “beginner” set of Velvetouch so I decided to upgrade when I re-purchased brushes. So I bought the Aqua Elite - because, of course I went to Michael’s and that’s what they carried. Well, as you might have guessed… there was a night and day difference… so I decided to come back to this video. Turns out the amount of water Aqua Elite holds compared to Velvetouch is significant. So I came back here to rewatch. So now I’m kind of curious to try some of the other ones. GREAT VIDEO, very helpful. Thank you! (And congratulations!!🎊🍾🎉)

[@lauraenuco7219]

Great video…I painted along with you..as I have a stamping of Heritage, Neptune , Velvet Touch. and Snap brushes. You gave a very accurate and fair assessment of what each brush would work best for. I also love how you always give the disclaimer that brushes are very personal and you have to use what works best for you. I hardly use my long round velvet touch in size 6 but today, I realized how good it is in helping me get the thinner lines for stems and smaller leaves. I also see the benefits of the Neptune brush in getting looser and larger swathes of color. It is helpful to have different sizes and brands to compare…thanks again for your helpful video.

[@lindathaxton1994]

The Now that I have been painting for a few years - Princeton Neptunes have become my go to brushes. Thank you for sharing your knowledge & your time

[@elsagrace3893]

I love the Neptune series. I didn’t know it was a soft brush. Now I know I like a soft brush!

[@phoebehe9465]

same!

[@irener1111]

I just picked up a Neptune #8 based on what you said and as a beginner I have to say I love it. I can see a difference in my strokes and feel the difference in its performance. Thanks! I am going to get more!

[@henrycohen1910]

I'm late coming to your channel so you may have already come upon the brushes I'm going to recommend. I too am a Princeton fan, the brushes I use are the Lauren series. They have a stiffness that I'm very comfortable with. I've tried other brand brushes and found them to be too floppy for my abilities. If you like a stiffer, snappier brush give the Laurens a try.

[@ThereIsSoulInArt]

Princeton brand are my favorite brushes so far in my short watercolor journey. I personally love the Velvetouch Series & once I tried one I felt like I had found my perfect match. I almost use these exclusively. For me, I love that I can create some looseness in my florals, but I have that great point for stems at the same time.

[@amypanddirtytoo1926]

I just got the Petals brushes in the Velvetouch line and they are the most unique shaped brushes I have in my collection now! They are like a pyramid only with the point of the pyramid on the side instead of directly centered, if that makes sense. They make some really great shpaes and patterns!

[@ThereIsSoulInArt]

@@amypanddirtytoo1926 I have one of their petal brushes too! I love it. Have you tried using 2 different paint colors at the same time with them? I personally love the leaves I can make with them. I learned a couple of these tricks by watching a couple KZbin videos. I found it really helps to know HOW to use a particular brush, especially a unique brush like these. :D LOL

[@amypanddirtytoo1926]

@@ThereIsSoulInArt YES!!! I tried it with a warm orangey pink and a yellow/orange color just to make some pretty some flowers! I tend to make up flowers and not paint ones that actually exist, or paint ones that ado exist, but in colors they would never be. I of course do flowers the way are in nature too, they are beautiful too, but there's just limitless options when you just make whatever you want XD :D

[@vikkiartlover2171]

I love Princeton brushes 😍😍😍 I have the Aqua Elite and Neptune Series and love them so much 💕❤️🥰

[@candidcrafter]

Those are the two kinds I have as well and I really like them too 😊

[@vikkiartlover2171]

@@candidcrafter they are really good and the price very nice 😊

[@Sundies_Art]

I started out using the Princeton Heritage but only bought the number 6. I soon purchased the Snap and really did like them. I have stared using the velvet touch and I absolutely love the way they feel. I use the number 6 long round the most. I go back and forth with that one and the bamboo brush I purchased through Craftamo. Those are great too. I am glad you did this test and described each of the brush types, I live in a humid climate but during the summer months I have found that the softer brushes are much better. Thank you for going over each of these. Great explanations.

[@jlh7100]

Thank you Emma for this great review. Especially nice for us beginners. Always appreciate your honesty , humility and transparency. Blessings!

[@cslattfri]

I love, love, love the long round brushes in the velvetouch series. The points are the BEST. I also love the Aqua Elite brushes. 99% of my brushes (and I have a lot) are Princeton brand.

[@halfpiint]

I have the Aqua Elite which I absolutely love! They hold water and their shape beautifully. The only other watercolor brush I've used is Silver Black Velvet. They were my first set and I was very disappointed with the brushes and the total lack of customer service. Each brush looks like it got a bad haircut, they're constantly loosing hairs and they don't hold a candle to the Princeton Aqua Elite when it comes to holding water. I reached out for support multiple times for the Silver brushes but never heard back. That's probably why I fell head over heels after my first use of the Aqua Elite brushes! and their adorable "travel set" is sitting in my Amazon "Wish List".

[@katherineh.6852]

I consume so many watercolor tutorials and reviews and I love your stuff the most! I got the snaps but I am finding I want a SHARP point on brushes and prefer my cheapo brush set for that but the snap is sooooo much better for its ability to hold water and do the water color thing--you know, the thing that we love. I also want a more rounded brush base. Trying a Neptune size 10 soon to see how I feel about it. I might see if someone will get me your set as a gift because it looks like brushes I cannot seem to find anywhere but I wish so bad they'd put your beautiful painting designs on them! Still, I've been impressed with the point and fat base!

[@GONZOFAM7]

Excellent video. I'm a heritage guy 16, 12, 8 round and velvetouch for smaller rounds. I agree it's all in your preference and how they work with yout style.

[@4seasons546]

Nice you are one of the few who link to Canadian information ℹ️ thank you 🙏

[@candidcrafter]

I love the Aqua Elites and Neptune but I use different shapes from each line. I'm glad they sent you all those goodies! 🤗

[@eva3106]

great review ! I adopted the snap ones after seeing you using it in your tutos and I must say that I don't regret it at all

[@LisaYoungmpp]

When I started out painting over a year and a half ago I used the Princeton Velvet Touch series brushes. Since then I’ve gotten the Silver Brush Black Velvet round brushes, the Silver Brush Golden Natural Quill brushes (small and medium) and the Silver Brush Golden Natural 3/8” Dagger brush. Lastly, I gotten the Craftamo set of 10 premium Eco-Bamboo brushes. I just completed a class on Skillshare on painting loose expressive roses. Now my favorite brushes for loose watercolor are the Silver Brush brushes. If I’m going to paint something that I’ve sketched out first I would use the Craftamo brushes because the stiffness makes them good for more detailed illustration painting.

[@juliekbrooks]

Except for the travel brushes I have every set of brushes you reviewed (plus a whole lot more). I have only been doing watercolor for about 1 1/2 yrs. and have watched tons of tutorials. I have realized that when trying to follow tutorials, it is easier for me to have the same brushes the artist is using for the tutorial since they are painting in different styles. I am in the US and I have ordered brushes from the UK - Rosemary & Co. for when I am painting detailed florals and miniature brushes. Some artists rely on the belly of the brush and some the point of the brush and I find I need the brush they are using. I also have several wedge and triangle brushes. The Velvetouch Petal brushes are great. The one thing I have learned is you MUST have good paper. I practice the strokes on cheaper paper and then use the same quality paper the artist is using when I am ready to complete the project. Once I find MY style then I will know what brush will be my go to. But I have learned I need to have good paper.

[@writingraven3314]

I received some brushes in a mini painting kit that I love. A Princeton mini-detailer angular shader size 0, which I absolutely love. You can achieve both fat lines and thin details with the shape of the angular shader and it's a favorite. I also have a Princeton Velvetouch round 20/0, which is very nice for small, small line details, like stems in florals or thin lines in buildings. These two brushes are my favorites, especially the angular shader size 0. And if anyone hasn't used mini brushes, you have to try it. It's a very different experience.

[@inger_musicart5620]

I am not all happy with my detail brush so I might try a small angular brush, sounds like something that would suit me. Thanks for the tip

[@writingraven3314]

@@inger_musicart5620 Hope it works out. I really like my angular shader. It's very useful for both broader strokes and fine lines.

[@lisegagne3716]

Hi I’m also in Canada in a small toy and not many options to feel brushes 😂. Such a great video as I’m just picking up my brush after so many years. I was just starting to learn in 2005 and now I’m ready to dive back in!! Love your channel ❤

[@lady_Bulova]

I love Princeton brushes. I started with the Heritage and like them but have added Velvetouch, Neptune and Aqua Elite and my favorite are the Aqua Elite. They are all great though!

[@farahabid3743]

Thank you Emma…this was a great class…. Now I understand what a “long round brush” is! I thought the ‘long’ referred to the handle :)

[@gila1959]

So did i think that..

[@lisaspears8974]

I use all of them because not only am I addicted to buying brushes but I feel like they all have different results. I use my select for acrylic, my velvet touch for gouache I started with snap but now my granddaughter uses them at her art classes and I bought heritage because Jenna used them but I do love them however I do love the crazy sharp point on the aqua elite series and like u said it's easier to paint loose with the softness of the neptune but I also love the silver black velvet because they're super soft with a sharp point.

[@lanahughes5254]

I love my Princeton 8 long round. It's all just a matter of preference when it comes to brushes, I guess.

[@TuxieTude]

Me too!! It's one of my absolute favorite brushes. I was just thinking about getting a couple more. I can paint loose with them no problem. 😍❤️❤️

[@karing2171]

I have an entire set of the Princeton Aqua Elites. And I like them. But sometimes they are soft for certain things I am painting so I went and bought several Princeton Velvettouch brushes today and they are stiffer and I like those too. Thanks for such a great tutorial.

[@candacekerr4139]

So glad to see this, I just ordered a couple of Princeton brushes and haven’t used them yet. One is a liner.

[@paintingbee9692]

What a timing!?! Thanks much Emma for this!! I was actually in search of which type of Princeton brushes I need ! You made it easier thru this video🥳

[@ER-vv3rh]

I love Silver black brushes, you should try them.

[@LisaYoungmpp]

Agreed! I love them, too.

[@iSheree]

From what I have seen, she only has synthetic brushes. Silver Black Velvet is not synthetic. A lot of us are trying to stray away from animal hair brushes as they are cruel. :)

[@Halo2glitchlover22]

@@iSheree no one asked you

[@iSheree]

@@Halo2glitchlover22 nobody asked for your opinion either. I am entitled to my opinion, thank you!

[@rachelreilly5350]

I do like the aqua elite. Only using the Neptune mop. Trying the escoda perla next. synthetic but firm.

[@redparrot53]

I LOVE my Princeton long rounds, I have 4 of them and a bunch of other Princeton brushes too, l Iove the Neptune and the Heritage, and the Velvettouch!

[@pastel1332]

trop contente, c'est la premiere fois que j'arrive une jolie rose et des belles feuilles avec le pinceau langue de chat...Merci🤩

[@dianemontgomery2087]

As a new watercolor artist, I have struggled. I started with Princeton Heritage round brushes. They’re ok. Then I got Kristy Rice’s set. She loves a dagger brush, me not so much. I picked up a couple of Cotman rounds. I like them less than the Princetons. Today I received a Princeton Watercolor Floral Set that includes the Heritage round 2&6, Neptune Round 8, Velvetouch Angle Shader and a Vevetouch Petals 8. I’m going to test them and hopefully find some I really love. I know brushes are personal preference but I appreciate seeing your opinion. It tells me, that my frustration is more finding a brush that works for me and not, that I’m not doing it right. Thanks for sharing YOUR opinion.

[@dianemontgomery2087]

Tested out the Neptune Round… ❤️ ❤❤ Did leaves & roses, got it on the 1st try.

[@lindathaxton1994]

Thank you for sharing- I just ordered 2 neptunes (8 & 12) - looking forward to using them!

[@vxinos]

i have the set up aqua elite travel brushes snd the princeton neptune and love them both. i tend to prefer a soft brush that can hold alot of water. ita true what you said its personal preference using what makes you want to paint and create is so important. i tend to prefer the brushes with a super fine point so that way i can practically do a whole painting using one brush

[@chaoticgood8645]

I like the neptune brushes a lot for the same reason of holding a lot of water :) But I wish the small size 4 neptune had a better/cleaner point, would you say the elites maintain the point better on the small sizes? Or is there even a big difference in that?

[@RendaJane]

CCc

[@candicelane13]

Great video I am currently shopping for brushes . I will order the velvet series and the snap brushes. I have so many brushes and each time I buy one I say now this is my favourite haha

[@lindathaxton1994]

I use rounds almost exclusively - Terkel onyx brushed are a good go to for me. Also have been trying Silver Black Velvets & like them a lot, especially for birds, feathers - small details.

[@jupiterscorpio4206]

I think for visual effects the heritage brushes gave the best results in this demo in my opinion

[@jupiterscorpio4206]

I love the Neptune Quill size 6 brush its magnificent. I have just invested in the velvet touch keen to see what they are like. It would have been good to have the camera a bit closer.

[@lopostonia]

This was so helpful! I'm a beginner and didn't even realize what I had were soft brushes! I was wondering why I didn't get the satisfying snap-back that I've seen in your vids and now I'm excited to try some stiffer brushes!

[@mayloo2137]

I tend to buy student-grade brushes from wherever I can find them. My most recent purchase was a Silver cat's tongue brush, professional grade, for $17Cdn at a local art supplies store.

[@jerrincurless5249]

I found this especially helpful, thank you so much!

[@mindsQuill]

I love love love the neptune line! They are soft they are pointy and they are thirsty! I use the neptune line for watercolor! Having said that I loooove the aqua elites which I use for acrylics and also snap brushes which I use for gouache! I have a few of velvetouch brushes some of which I use for gouache and the filberts I use for watercolor! They perform amazing as per my own needs! Princeton has a brush for each and every preference!

[@catherineraper]

Hi! Thanks for this video. I plan on getting the Princeton Neptune for my watercolour brushes, the velvet line for inking, and the aspen line for oil. And possibly the snap line for acrylic/gouche. :)

[@50andCountingcom]

I tried all the brushes you tried and I LOVE my Aqua Elites! I do more detail painting and they are my go to brushes.

[@pammcreynolds]

I'm a Princeton Snap fan too.

[@creeksidehomeschoolers]

I'm loving the princeton aqua elite round. I basically went to Michael's and felt every brush that was for watercolor and picked the one that felt the best! I'm happy to know all the stats on the different varieties after watching your video! As a former nail technician I already had some knowledge on brushes as far as feel and use and as it turns out my favorite brushes for doing nails were/are Kolinsky so it's super fun to know that the aqua elites are made to be like a kolinsky. I guess we do just like what we like! I do understand the long one being a bit to long at least for the floral design types of watercolor painting. But I have been curious to try the snap brushes after watching you use them, but they might be to snappy. My 2 favorite sizes are 12 and 8 but I do like the new smaller my hubs just bought me so fun to make the smaller flowers and leaves to fill in with. Thanks for all that you share! I'm a self taught copycat artist and love learning new tricks of the trade. I'm still hunting down my goldilocks set of watercolor paints and when I can bring myself to fork over the cash I'm going to try the W&N pro tubs. I was falling in love with them watching your test and set up video of them and that tray you use is awesome! I've always been a pan girl as the tubs always seems to fancy a lot of work to pull out, but now that I know how to use them I'm excited to try them in the far future! I'm still trying to become brave enough to share and sell my work...I just feel like it's all ready out there and plenty of people can do it better...! Thanks again and congratulations on selling out of your new brush colab with craftamo! I tried to see if they were available at 11:30 ct time and the were all gone!!

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

This was really useful, thank you. 😊 I was wavering between the Neptune and Aqua Elite range but I think I'll get on better with the elite as I find softer brushes really unruly so I think the synthetic Kolinsky would be better, or maybe even the Snap. 😊

[@webpig711]

I have Snaps and Aqua Elites and I like the Aqua Elites much better, finer tip and broader splay.

[@watercolorswithmary5794]

oh wow! so many brushes for so many uses! I'm still learning and I just went to store and bought the brush that seemed nice in my hand, that is soft and pointy :) never thought about the brand ..LOL maybe one day when I become a 'real proffesional' :D :D I will buy some of these :) Thank you Emma for sharing this :) have a great day! Mary 🥰🥰

[@jessicadohnt6943]

I love the Neptune brushes and the aqua elites. Loved this video on brushed thanks for sharing your thoughts

[@SarahNotSara]

Big fan of the Princeton brushes too. My faves are the Aqua Elites, but I own several different styles. Just bought a set of the Snap short handled as I think I prefer a slightly snappier feel like you do lol. Very helpful video though, thank you

[@firdyk]

Great review Emma. I have both the Princeton elite and the Princeton Neptune.

[@nicoleo5017]

I enjoyed this video it was really helpful, I can tell it was challenging to find the right words to describe the feelings, great job!

[@jennifergriffin6828]

Great info, especially for us beginners!

[@harleyquinn7708]

Not me over hear debating on whether or not I should buy more brushes when this got uploaded 😅

[@e.machocolat775]

i have mainly stuck with the princeton snap and the princeton heritage brurshes. I did order a long round princeton velvet touch i needed a large 12. i have tried to like it but it just doesnt work well for me. its something about the graded point that i find how to control so i now mainly use it to wet my paper when doing wet on wet. good and informative video. thanks

[@ying_ci]

Excellent review - very comprehensive, thanks!!!

[@jewelbriard5444]

Which snap series and snap size rounds are you using in this video. There seems to be quite a few snap series.

[@busyceeq]

You really help me learn techniques! Thank you!

[@PayneWaterStudio]

The aqua elite long round means that the point is pointy

[@cherylbrewer1218]

Thank you Emma . Very helpful 😊

[@Feenix102]

Cool. I only have one expensive brush, and I use it for more or less everything, lol. Its a Princeton Velvetouch long round, size 8. Its good for most things, though it is a little stiff for certain things so Im thinking of trying a neptune, and I am seriously thinking of getting a mop brush from their select range. Its true, here in the UK art supplies in general are hard to find in a lot of stores, I mostly buy stuff online, usually Amazon. I absolutely need a softer flat wash brush (the one I have is for acrylic paint and doesnt hold water too well), and I like the look of the mop brush, which looks good for the wetting the paper element of wet on wet. :o)

[@chaoticgood8645]

What I've found interesting is how the Royal and Langnickel Menta brush line is similar in bristle feel to the Princeton Neptune! The R&L Menta are significantly cheaper and the craft store I bought them from sold them each for the same flat price of $4 :) I've bought several sizes from them and they feel exactly the same as Neptune! Only problem is some of the sizes of the rounds are the extra long (which, like Emma, I'm not a fan of) and really don't hold a point well. HOWEVER, the size 14 holds a point extremely well and is the perfect length (idk why they made that one different) and the mop and flat shader brushes are amazing (because they dont need to hold a point, just a lot of water. You can't beat ~$4 each for those brushes that normally are in the double digits from the other brands). What I'm trying to say is, I love the neptunes because they have a reliable shape across the sizes (I own size 4, 8, 10) but save your money on the size 14 round, the mop, and flat shader and go for R&L because the larger brushes get expensive fast in the neptune range. I kid you not, the neptune and the R&L Menta line have basically the same bristles (both successfully immitating squirrel hair fyi) so maybe even start with those to see if you like the soft brush style.

[@Feenix102]

@@chaoticgood8645 Thankyou, I shall look into them. :o)

[@appleknocker56]

Most of the time I use a “mop brush” for skies but having a hard time finding a flat brush (that holds enough water) but doesn’t drop lots of pigment when first start then goes to light? Ty as so many brushes!

[@lindathaxton1994]

My favs are Neptunes!

[@cilene2805]

Thanks, Emma, very good explanation. Do you know the Princeton Real Value, Series 9100?

[@GKganesan]

Thank you for this. Useeful information

[@anjakritzelkram5544]

Very helpful overview, thank you!

[@annnoyez]

I use the brand of my artstore here in Belgium. They have ergonomic grips. And that is what I love. They are good in the hand. I dont like soft brushes either. I have a very soft brush (petit gris) that I got as a price in my local artstore (with a 24 pan senelier artist quality watercolor set, halfpans in a cherry box and with a palet that is from stone(? You know like a white mug)). And that one I don't like. I really can't paint with it. Lol. I make blobs... But the brushes from the arts tore, (they come in a golden setting and the handle is darkgreen they look so classy and chic) have a nice stiffness I think is a bit like your brushes you prefer. I dont like to use big brushes. I usually use a round 6 and a round 8. I have a 12, but I hardly use it. You say you paint on small canvas. I paint on even smaller pieces. Usually for cards and for my backgrounds of my jewelry packages. So yes... but when I paint on a a4, sometimes I use my big one... I have lots of paintbrushes, but the moment I started using this brand I was hooked. I have the whole range for watercolor. (For acrylic I use cheap brushes... not a good cleaner lol) Fineliners, some daggerbrushes (?), 2,4,6,8,10,12 round, a fanbrush and a mop, yeap I love them... and I understand when you talking about the snap of a brush... I prefer a bouncing ball the a old soft tomato if you know what I mean. It's because of watching your channel that me got in watercoloring completely. And because of watching you paint I think I came to a simular brush... thank you for that... Good review. You brought the feeling of a brush very well. I could almost feel them in my hand... although... I think you made a beautiful flower with the long round... it was more delicate then your normal style... (Accente serie 585, lucascreative.be, for if you want to take a peek in the brushes... lol) Big hugs from Belgium and now I stop...

[@marjorieclinton6780]

Emma Jane, thank you for sharing your art Journey. I have set up my first Cartman tubes pallet and I don't know how to tell that my paint is dry enough to start painting. I don't want to start too soon. Thank you for your help

[@chaoticgood8645]

You could start painting with the wet paint no problem if you don't want to wait. There are many watercolor artists who exclusively paint directly from the tube (which is the original use for tube watercolors). Squeezing them into a pan and letting them dry is just a convenient way to store them all together and better for travel. It's up to preference, so don't feel like you can't use them until they're dry :)

[@marjorieclinton6780]

@@chaoticgood8645 thank you so much. I have try them out and I am hooked. I did wait for 3 days but I feel like I am not wasting my pain I'll try the right out of the tube. I do like the Princeton brushes. Again thank you

[@Audacitie]

What’s the difference between the white snap brushes & the gold snap?

[@denisewenke8323]

The main difference is that staining is less noticeable on the gold.

[@SimplySix1]

I love Love LOVE, Princeton brushes.. thanks to you, actually. I love you for it but i want to hate you for it🤣😂(kidding). I'm not a fan of the neptune brushes (i own one. I have 2 of the aqua elite travel brushes which i absolutely love and i got one today of the velvet touch but I didn't realize they were Princeton brushes. I find the aqua elite online on sale because I don't have $30 a brush. I'm a $5 a pack kind of girl. The bf works for an automotive parts house so i get their car detailing brushes at a discount.. the options aren't grand and neither is quality but we make due with what we havr

[@macCALICOmac]

I have the travel set and am still adjusting. They are such beautiful quality. Has anyone tried the cheapo Fabre castell kids brushes with the grips, they are in a pack of different colors. I wish everyone would try them. lol. Amazing to me still!!!! Can never go wrong when I’m using them. (Also love the snap brushes)

[@webpig711]

I have them (as they are readily available in any stationery store here and I needed some brushes quickly and my brush order from an art store hadn't arrived at that time) and I must say for such an affordable brushset they do pretty well.

[@SharonH11100]

Good review ~ thanks!

[@SuperCutealien]

Most of my brushes are Princeton. No Snaps. But I have a combo of everything else. Neptunes, Select, Velvetouch and Aqua Elite. I don’t like the Neptunes I have. Too soft for me. I like my Select detail brushes.

[@davidheidary7124]

Thank you, great demo 🌺🌺 Please use more pigment. I could not see a lot of the brush strokes.😔

[@SPASPAWIZ]

When the brushes are wet is when you gauge the softness. Different hairs and fibers act differently when wet and have pigment in them. That one was on the house lol ✌️

[@michellef1847]

That was interesting. Thanks for sharing. 😊

[@Skirliegirl]

Can anyone tell me where to buy Princeton brushes in the UK? There's odd ones here and there on Amazon but I can't find the snap range anywhere...maybe they have a different name or something? I'd be grateful for any advice on alternatives...thanks!!

[@zaarteestdanaportiermorvan2453]

Have you tried the Arctic series?

[@francinebrown1944]

Great review and very helpful. I live in a dry climate and use the Princeton snap brushes but would like to try the Neptune and aqua elite brushes as well. Thanks Emma.

[@ImpRoll92]

very informative video, thank you so much!

[@marijadika6444]

Helpful review, thanks

[@jxicap8669]

You want expensive go W&N series 7 Kolinsky 🤣but they are worth it as are Escoda

[@susanwolcott2058]

Thank you. I have followed your beginner videos during pandemic . My brushes are Princeton "deals" from Amazon I just took a class above my skills watercolor landscapes. The teacher said to use largest brush possible. So I've been using a size 16 Heritage. I have been very disappointed. When class ended, I have tried to duplicate your flowers with that huge brush. Awful results. Now I know why. Will go back to smaller stiffer brushes for now.

[@bertakamigama]

Hace you try the quill Onés?

[@normasaldanagarcia1568]

Gracias Emma, me encantas

[@Wolfie_1920]

Can I ask what skechbook you're using

[@EmmaLefebvre]

Paul rubens :)

[@Wolfie_1920]

@@EmmaLefebvre thank you

[@TLS115]

I have a few of the aqua elite rounds and found that they didn't last long. The nice point degraded quickly and stray hairs sticking out became a problem.

[@wilhat]

Hi from lockdown Sydney,great video,I lost my Facebook account getting back on slowly just joined your page .

[@TuxieTude]

Stiff, snappy brushes are generally considered to be beginner brushes. :)

[@shannanwhite8718]

Where did you order that watercolor book?

[@carlosacosta2558]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷😷😷😷😷

[@ndidispencer4407]

I understand that you may have regular followers, but I stumbled upon your video when searching the difference between different brushes. I dedicated time to watching your demonstrations, but when you got to the snap brushes, you almost skipped them because your regular followers already know how much you love and use them. That was not very helpful for me as a first time viewer. Perhaps mention that the video is for those who already follow you to save others time. Thanks

[@chanellacreadora]

This is probably like the FIFTH time I come across a KZbin watercolor artist that calls a reasonably priced supply, expensive. Princeton is a quality line at affordable prices. Good brushes can EASILY cost over $100 for ONE brush. Princeton in no shape or form is “pricey”. They may be above your budget, which is 100% understandable. Art supplies are a luxury we all wish we could indulge in endlessly. In this industry, Princeton is an affordable brand. Not pricey. That judgment needs to be made compared to the industry standard. Not your personal budget.

[@chanellacreadora]

And hearing KZbin artists say this is really starting to frustrate me beyond comprehension. Because it is giving the misconception of what good quality supplies cost. I know Emma isn’t American. I am. I can only base it on American economy. The average American would struggle to purchase quality supplies in our current economy. I would assume that would be true worldwide due to the pandemic. That is reality. We do have to make concessions and compromises on what we want and what we can afford. But our budget standard and the industry standard have very different definitions of affordable. These supplies are expensive to make. Artisans train for DECADES to make quality brushes and paper. They’re gonna be expensive. But it’s part of the craft and it deserves respect.

[@christineskinner8217]

In my country they are on the upper end of prices

[@chanellacreadora]

@@christineskinner8217 what do they cost?

[@chanellacreadora]

@@christineskinner8217 and what country?

[@christineskinner8217]

@@chanellacreadora a size 10 snap brush is £20 about 30 American dollars I'm in the UK and these are definitely in the upper range I'm not saying anything about the quality but neither is Emma

[@maryriley6242]

Aha moment, I have "nice brushes" that were recommended by another artist but I don't like them. Too long in the tips and too soft. OMG I got mine from Jenna R. too no bueno for me!