Water Brush Basics - How to Use a Water-brush and Demo

[@attorneycarissa]

I love your tutorials! Never too long. I learn so much from them!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad you like them!

[@cloverrabbit5622]

Thanks for todays tutorial, I always enjoy watching them. I hear Ranger has a good water brush also. Some are better than others, that's for sure! I think your painting is gorgeous...I'm always amazed. 🥰

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@candaceainslie980]

Lindsay - than you for mentioning items that may be helpful to those with arthritis. I have arthritis in my hands and learning about tools that don't make it worse is so helpful!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@tammylong111]

I'm waiting for my Derwent water brushes to be delivered today. Your video came up on my feed just in time!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Hope you like them!

[@tanyaschmith9737]

I love your channel and your videos the longer the better i learn so much from you and appreciate your time that you do these free tutorials especially those of us that can't afford to buy online lessons people like you are amazing thank you so much and know for every negative comment you get there is probably 100 people who because of your channel are living a richer life because they can access these lessons 😊 ❤ so don't give the negative any space in your mind think of the people who you are making a difference for 😊❤ thx you 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you for the sweet comment!

[@starshinesoldier]

I love how much useful information you pack into your tutorials. Thank you! Haha, I also adore how honest you are, water brushes are nice, but I too prefer a good synthetic sable or mimic squirrel brush and a water bucket.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@starshinesoldier]

I like the Pentel water brushes, the blue bulb ones, and the Kuretake/Sakura koi ones the best, they feed the water pretty consistently for me without me needing to squeeze them often.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I agree! Some people don't like the continuous feed though

[@averymorgan1369]

You paint glass like nobody!!!!! So beautiful❤❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Aww:)

[@creeksidehomeschoolers]

Yes, I agree!! Beautiful

[@jordang7479]

I just got a new set of water brushes! I feel like you're videos are perfectly timed to me not knowing what to do with my new supplies. The same thing happened with your elegant writer videos!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'm so glad!

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Lindsay, I do enjoy watching your videos and seeing how you use you art supplies often gives me a re-fresher on many techniques that I have not used in years! You are truly inspirational and so talented, yes I am a believer in talents not that people must have talent to accomplish a “thing” or do an activity. I believe that it can be easier for those who are talented and I think that you do work hard at creating art and videos and seeing your videos just confirms this for me. Well I hope you have a lovely day.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks 😊

[@olderendirt]

Great tutorial! Thanks for all the information about how to use the different products and for explaining how the light and transparency is produced.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brendawalsh8254]

I missed this video when you posted it. Glad you mentioned it in your video released today. I loved watching this one. I only have cheap water brushes and they are so hard to use in my opinion.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@heatherloux5522]

That was my question! Thank you so very much. It was helpful to see you actually using the water brushes. I appreciate that you stated when you would use it. Love your videos and your through explanations.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@FannaTurano]

Your glass projects are always so beautiful. You're brilliant with a water brush too--no fear!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much!

[@galina2mil]

Omg!!! All the ones I have open the regular way, except for one! And I almost broke it trying to get it open. Even got my husband to try. I had already given up thinking it was due to it being cheap. I saw your video and voila! Opens so easy the wrong way. Who knew!?Thanks Lindsay!!!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@3534538]

I liked that you shortened one bottle to fit it onto the page - had I not seen the reference picture I'd never guessed that you did that. As for brushes I prefer "real" brushes, I like their feel an how the bristles react. But I can see the usefulness of a waterbrush when you're urban sketching or something similar or if you have problems with your hands. Thank you for the info and the demo 🥰

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad you liked it!

[@barbarabonner131]

You are my favorite glass painter. It is amazing how you capture all the reflections and make the glass so luminous. Thank you for this demonstration.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Wow, thank you!

[@LindaOuk-p5l]

I just started working with watercolor pencils, and your video has taught me how to use the watercolor brush and watercolor pencils ❤ I love how you show us your art techniques. Thank you-Linda 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad I could help!

[@maryk1668]

Two of my favorite things! Watercolor and antique bottles😄 Appreciate your style of painting and narration. Just subscribed.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@marytesta3003]

Thank you, Lindsay. I love graphitint pencils. I have a small set of watercolor pencils and water brushes I take with me to my clinic. It's easy and neat to carry and use between clients, etc . I used my sketchbook floosy stencils and did a whole little book. Doing small paintings has really helped me to something every day.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Awrsome!

[@zeldacheri]

Love the finished artwork, and watching the process from the initial sketch through to the end -- so interesting! One thing I'll add about cheap, no-name water brushes - make sure that the cap actually snaps on, and is not just kept on by friction. In a bag, those caps can easily come off, and then there's water you don't want and the bristles can get jammed.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good to know!

[@GingahSnapsArt]

I love my water brushes! Beautiful set and demo

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@annettefournier9655]

Hi Lindsay. California fig syrup Co. Was a real co. Fig syrup was sold as laxative. Laxatives were widely used because food dold was adulterated. Especially bread, with non food fillers like plaster and saw dust. It could be real not le target .It is a common old bottle. Company started 1878 . The water brushes I have are all or nothing and leak terribly. I don't use them much as fine motor function is dwindling.really ticks me off too. 😖

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for the info!

[@maureenhayes7318]

Thanks for the recommendation of the Mr. Pen white Acrylic pens. I love my Uni-Ball Signo but would like something for larger lines and certain papers! Beautiful sketch/painting. The luminosity is amazing

[@ChantelleArts]

Fantastic tips, I love using water brushes ☺☺

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad you like them!

[@SMCCRADY2]

I love the graphic quality of this painting.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@Lulu.G-61]

I love my water brushes, I take a little paint kit everywhere I go and I use them frequently. My problem is knowing when to let them go as the tips get worn. Will you add this to your watercolor glass class on Teachable? I would love to follow along and paint this.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That's a great idea! I'd want to redraw it tho. I had a lot of errors in this one. I'll put it on my list and do my best.

[@pokey3010]

This was fun to watch you paint and they are so realistic! Thank you

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much 😀

[@lynnephelps2370]

I got a 5-pack of Mr. Pen water brushes and I love them. Very inexpensive on Amazon and nice brush size assortment of rounds and flats.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Mr pen has some great stuf!

[@callycatus]

Really Loving this painting of the bottles ! and Thanks for showing us great tips Lyndsay

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@Horsewoman-pt2ku]

Wow. That turned out great! Tfs

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks so much!

[@craftykat]

Wow, I really love your artwork; I am blown away by those bottles! So nice!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@berolinastrassmann]

I loved your painting...You did such an amazing job, especially considering Viviva are difficult to layer or shade (at least that is my impression) I resort to water brushes if I draw/paint in Museums or Libraries where painting with a water cup might not be allowed. I use regular brushes at home, but water brushes are a "good enough" solutuon when regular brushes + water are not available or allowed. This was a masterclass on painting glass too! Thanks, Lindsay.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much 😀

[@melenatorr]

Totally off main topic, but you mentioned figs, and you might like them - I had my first one in Egypt many years ago. Since then, I look forward to fig season. I especially like the fresh or dried mission figs.

[@anitaholmes6824]

Gorgeous...I love the end result! Thanks for sharing!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! 😊

[@JoAnneSmith-di8ok]

I love my water brushes! Thank for the tutorial. You gave me a couple more techniques to try.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great!

[@rockmoussealt7764]

Another fun, impressive demo with solid information on how to use one's tools. Thanks for sharing. Signed up for your glass class--looking ahead!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Awesome, thank you!

[@flychk1229]

Figs are fabulous, Lindsay! Love them 🙂

[@nalissa77]

They are delicious and good for you too. I do love fresh figs.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad you like them!

[@Marilynlovesebiking]

I am amazed at how you paint glass items. Wow. Thanks for the demo. I just ordered the Derwent set via your Amazon link. I use water brushes in my card making when I want to color just a few small items on my card front. They are very handy as are my Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils which I love.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@sandykoenig1666]

This was amazing, I have not tried water color, in fact I have to get my courage up to try sketching and love the water color. I did not know there were so many steps in order to get the shadowing or in this case the transparence. Thank you.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@kayclark4406]

Who knew that water brushes screwed the opposite direction!! I was so frustrated that I could not get the ones I bought open. I was about to return them when I read a comment about how they open the opposite way😂😂 Loved this demo and how it turned out.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you!

[@greggtransky9080]

WOW! Great information/demo. Beautiful art. Thank you. Sondra Borrie

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome

[@partialartsblackbelt8384]

The mio containers really are perfect! I got that tip from you a while back and it’s great.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'm so glad!

[@cindybohl9593]

Thanks! I have some water brushes and have never gotten around to using them. Now I know how.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yay!

[@craftergin]

I love my water brushes! I work on the couch a lot in my sketchbooks so they are very convenient to use with my Derwent Inktense pencils. My favorite, easy to squeeze brand is Pentel. I use the 2 smallest brushes the most. They are available on Amazon in sets so I buy the 2 smallest together.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That's a great idea!

[@Lousiannie]

Figs are highly nutritious & delicious! There are so many varieties 😊 some range from honey flavor profile to berries.

[@Lousiannie]

I’ve never had fig syrup though 😅

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good to know!

[@sharonling-LetsArtToday]

This turned out lovely ❤❤❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks 😊

[@nadeaner.cowley513]

Great video! Though i definitely prefer a real brush and dont really like waterbrushes, I still found this video helpful and fun to watch. Thanks so much for sharing. Much love❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@128titanic]

Hi, Lindsay. Thank you for your video. ❤ Have a good week.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! You too!

[@kayleighshaw21]

Thank you for sharing, very helpful 😊 I'm watching this right before playing with my new graphitint 24 set I got today so it was fun to see them included 🧡

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Have fun!

[@carolmikolj5134]

I tend to use the brushes with watercolour pencils and also with Neocolor IIs. I have a set of the Graphitints and I love them but I also acquired a set of the pans (I use a brush with those) and they are great together.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@meldixon1918]

I got a Faber Castell one recently that you pull back to fill which was nice when I was in the car I didn’t have to pour water in!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Nice!

[@Gypsisoul1111]

oh this is fantastic cuz I have them but not sure how to use! I always think I have to squeeze it every time I paint.Thank you.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@geriprior751]

Thanks for sharing the tutorial. Interesting seeing this after having taken your watercoloring glass course, I think I am getting more out of this video. It reinforces my learning. My favourite are the Pentel water brushes. Prefer the medium point and they seem to last a long time. Use it most for line and wash or loose sketchy type paintings.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lindathaxton1994]

Love your videos - always learn something useful 🙏

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Awesome!

[@NavyAssassinOnBLAST]

Years ago, I found a Watercolor tool in Michael's that was for Watercolor pencils. It wasn't an actual brush. It had a clear nib. You filled the handle with water, like the wc brushes, but it was just a blending nib that you activated the wc pencil marks on your paper. Never knew the name & can't find them anywhere, now. The nib didn't absorb the pigment, miraculously. I could blend a blue, then a yellow without transferring the blue to the yellow. I was so amazed by that tool. Please tell me you remember the product & if it's still available somewhere.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I havet seen it but it sounds great!

[@LydiaCuff]

I have a set of 6 Arteza water brushes (3 sizes each of flat and round) that were about seventeen dollars on Amazon. They have buttons like the Derwent ones and the lids screw on clockwise looking down at the brush end. I’ve only ever compared them with the water brushes that came with my Mei Liang and GenCrafts watercolor palettes, so I don’t have a wide range to compare but I do like them better than the generic “free” ones I’ve tried. It looks like the barrels on the Arteza ones might be a little slimmer and hold less water than the Derwent ones, but otherwise they look pretty similar. I feel like the water control is easier for me with the firm barrel and the buttons than the softer barreled water brushes. I also appreciate that the reducer/flow regulator piece is part of the brush side instead of stuck into the barrel opening, so that makes them easier to refill than some of the generic ones I’ve used. Anyway, thanks for another lovely and informative video 😊 I will definitely be saving the next enhancer bottle when my family uses it up

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Nice!

[@lindathaxton1994]

Lol - I am a Californian born & lived here all my life - I LOVE figs - never seen fig syrup 😁

[@deborahbloom4624]

Vicki Boutin had a pretty good set of waterbrushes....a nice selection of brush tips. Don't know if they are still available.....

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good to know!

[@deborahbloom4624]

Another funny thing....just now you told people that were wearing headphones that they might want to take them off while you sharpened the Graphitint pencil. When you sharpened it, the CC interpreted the sound of the sharpening as follows...."Music playing".....😅

[@thefrugalcrafter]

😆

[@yelsyels]

Love this project! ❤❤❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! 😊

[@deborahsandell3823]

Love these, beautiful ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! 😊

[@vickimerritt2832]

used and washed hair color applicator from boxed hair color works great

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great tip!

[@MSKCCooke]

"This is just... this is just..." KC finishes your sentence..."...a sketchbook!" LOL! Love it. Thanks!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ginabadeaux9319]

i have 12 of these the cheap ones i got from watercolor palettes.i am putting liquid watercolors in them ,thank you for everything

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Wonderful!

[@maureenhayes7318]

I love the ones that Pentel makes, you showed two that were identical and now I can’t remember what brand you said, but they don’t have the button but they do have the larger barrel that is easy to squeeze. I do have arthritis and other hand issues and I find the, very easy to use. I certainly wasn’t offended that you said you didn’t have arthritis, why would that be offensive? Thankfully their are lots of diseases we don’t have, it doesn’t mean that we don’t care that others do! Anyway, I agree with you about waterbrushes. I like mine for days when I don’t feel well and I’m working from bed or the couch and am worried about having open water nearby to knock over. Regular brushes are always superior. But you can get some good use out of waterbrushes for my purposes or for travel.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I think the pentel were the ones with the large easy squeeze barrel. These: amzn.to/4d0jn5M

[@RijackiTorment]

I love waterbrushes. They're more convenient than having pans of water on my desk 'cause I am a horrible klutz. Some waterbrushes are a lot more 'wet' with the trickle of water without pushing the button than others. The cheap brushes are more likely have too much trickle making them more difficult to use for anything but washes (and will drain themselves faster). There are also super cheap waterbrushes that have a coloured sizing on the brush that, even after washing it thoroughly, can seep out and affect your paints. It is much better not to "cheap out" on the brushes you buy even if it's just to try them. There are waterbrushes in the mid-price, such as Aquash, that are decent to use as a trial before diving into the more expensive and better quality ones.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good to know. I guess I've gotten lucky not to get any bad ones.

[@DGiarrusso]

Faber Castell has a squeeze feature with their (some of them?) water brushes.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good to know!

[@marymccaslin1690]

Oh man, not sure what’s going on with your list for shopping your favorite art products, but all I saw was a Derwent pencil set for a huge $ amount and some pencil cases. I wonder what went wrong with them?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Huh, I will check it out.

[@lesleyegbert4807]

LOL when you shared your opinion on the fig syrup!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

😆

[@nickyjamesonarttv]

Very informative video thank you. Wondering which water colour pencils you used and which you'd recommend for a beginner? Thinking of Derwent Inktense but wonder if they are for beginners or advanced. Thanks

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Those are great as long as you don't want to lift them after they dry. On a budget try artisto or spectrum noir aquablend, botanical set. I love derwent inktense and Faber Castell Albright drurer penvils.

[@nickyjamesonarttv]

@@thefrugalcrafter thank you very much.

[@1487marta]

I loved this!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks 😊

[@maureenhayes7318]

Lindsay just went to Amazon to try to find the white acrylic pens, do you have a link? I can’t find them. Thanks.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I think they are sold out. I can't find them. I've heard great things about these tho: amzn.to/3W5hYFc

[@tdfab6750]

Hi Lindsay, can you share a link for the unipen brush on amazon? I can't find them. Thank you

[@thefrugalcrafter]

amzn.to/3UqDnHu

[@luisAntonio-wi9rq]

Can I fill it with liquid watercolor?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes!

[@hansendesigns]

Cheap waterbrushes leak and don’t distribute water in a useable way. ⭐️Sakura makes excellent waterbrushes, i have one that has been going 15 years even with periodic toddler usage, still holds a point and distributes water fine. I paint maybe once a month. (Tip: They have tops that screw on opposite direction.)

[@Jendollla]

Figs are delicious. I love fig balsamic vinegar.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Sounds good!

[@OG-ux8sf]

Loved it

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks 😊

[@jennw6809]

Lindsay: "I'm not going to be too particular" Also Lindsay: "I set up lights and a fabric drape" Also Lindsay: whips out a photorealistic "sketch" of 3 bottles

[@berolinastrassmann]

And that's why we ❤ her! @thefrugalcrafter

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are much too kind:)

[@judyoger]

Lindsay Weirich I left a comment earlier about the length of a certain insert, on this video and now it is not visible, did you take it down or did the almighty and all knowing take it down??????

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I didn't take it down. I'll see if it is in my spam folder. Was there a link in it?

[@veystone2580]

I remember when I bought the Caran d'Ache waterbrush.... HATED IT. Went straight to the trash can. I was so dissapointed, and it was so expensive.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I swear it worked better when I first got it. It's almost like it make ms a vacuum and the eater won't come out. So odd.

[@veystone2580]

@@thefrugalcrafter I believe you! I used it, honestly like 3 times TOPS!!! Trying to get the "hang of it" thinking it had to be me. But the water didnt flow well since the beginning, and after 3 uses, the flow of water simply stopped, period. I thought it was damaged and a replacement was sent to me.... and guess what?... Yep, same tying again. So I tossed that one too! So yeah, is BAAAAAD!! Super surprised cause, come on! is Caran d'Ache.... like, what gives?!

[@Ms1lonewolf]

Water brushes are ok 👍. I'd rather paint with a brush and real watercolor paints myself. The water brushes I got were when they first came out 5 for 5.00 or something like that on Amazon they are pink. They don't hold very much water though. In an emergency I'd use them otherwise they just sit around with water in them. Lololol. Love the bottle sketch. You can see through them with Luminosity.. awesome 👌. Thank you 😊 JK FLORIDA USA 🇺🇸.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you!

[@godstendermercies6394]

😮

[@deborahbloom4624]

I had to laugh when you said you needed to not talk while writing the words from the bottle! My penmanship is awful, so, whenever I try to write fancy or do even faux-ligraphy, I have to write REALLY, REALLY slowly. What happens though is that, even though I'm great with spelling, my spelling goes completely out the window the slower I write. So my spelling ability decreases proportionately to how nice I'm trying to write....😂.....Anybody else have this problem?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'm bad at both so I can't help you!

[@fr7115]

Perfect! I just got a water brush and was wondering how to use it. Thank you, Lindsay!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good timing!

[@nadeaner.cowley513]

Awesome video, thanks for ssharing ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You're welcome!

[@creeksidehomeschoolers]

I brought a set of the pentel brand water brushes 2018 and used them to learn hand lettering and after a few months of use they all went moldy. Is that normal or did I do something incorrectly? I have tried everything I can think of to clean them and nothing has worked. Since then, I haven't given them much thought. I personally do prefer water and regular brushes myself.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I suspect there were mold spores in the water or paint you used. Sometimes, a paint will mold. I'm not sure how well you can clean them, but a soak in bleach water is a place to start.

[@creeksidehomeschoolers]

@thefrugalcrafter I started out with my kids watercolors that we had had more a few years. The cheap chalky one's; so my first guess was that they some how we're moldy. I used filtered water, but I didn't empty out the water from the brush pens when done. Although usually, they were used up and I stored them with the brush side up. I have put bleach in the pens and socked them and still they smell of mold in the black water stopper part and some even have a greenish stained color and the bleach water was hard on the brush part as they look all fraid...who knows I guess. I will say all the little freebie one's I have are doing fine and have no mold or problems; but I really enjoyed the more expensive ones. Not even to make me want to buy them again and risk the mold. I was new to them at the time. Thanks for your time and help!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

@creeksidehomeschoolers probably best to toss them. What a shame.

[@sylwitcha5325]

Its ok, we understand every language u speak. Lol

[@thefrugalcrafter]

😆