Watercolor Brushes for Beginners

This video looks at the more common watercolour brushes that beginners can work with when starting out. Getting the most appropriate brush is better than getting the best brush.
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[@HgoArt]

That Escoda Ultimo is synthetic not natural squirrel hair. One of my favourites though. ;)

[@teohyc]

Maybe I pronounced it wrongly. It's the Escoda Optimo that I have, not the Ultimo.

[@HgoArt]

Teoh Yi Chie, I mean the brush for washes at 00:20

[@teohyc]

Oh yeah, that's synthetic. Too many brushes confuses me. LOL

[@HgoArt]

😁

[@PositivelyNice]

Thank you for the advice and super scientific method of testing. I just got my first set of sable brushes after 6 months of playing with Watercolour. I enjoy them so much. I paint flowers and patterns quite a lot so the sable is a true life-saver; makes my life so easy now. Absolutely worth the price. If I knew sable will make painting flowers so much easier, I would have bought them straightaway instead of spending a small fortune on so many synthetic and water brushes. The "holding-water feature" also makes a LOT of difference to me. I enjoy painting so much more with a brush that holds water well.

[@Skinnychelle48]

As a beginner I love the Princeton Heritage 4050 Line. Affordable, easy to find, just enough snap, super comfy handles that are just the right size & length (prefer shorter handled brushes), no shedding at all, just the right point for me, holds their shape very well, synthetic and attractive.

[@DavidLorellHoskins]

Thanks Teoh. I spent all my art budget on one #6 round Escoda Kolinsky-Tajmyr and six tubes of Daniel Smith. I'll master these before investing more. _Thanks_ _for_ _your_ _guidance._

[@teohyc]

+David Lorell Size #6 is good general purpose brush.

[@Arovarel]

Love your reviews, you always answer all my questions, even the things I didn't think of. I will probably try a sable brush, I need a better option for my big washes. Thank you for your amazing work Teoh!

[@danemeow8]

This was amazingly helpful and insightful even for someone who is not super new to watercolor thank you so much!

[@fruit5003]

I also would recommend Kolibri brushes. They have synthetic and natural hair ones and are very affordable for a "not-professional-artists" like me. Made in Germany, of course.

[@aileen9266]

Fruit500 i‘ve heard of them a few times already by now but I myself have never seen them or noticed them even though I life in Germany. I have to look out for them now. :D

[@NerudaNut]

Thank you for such a helpful video, Teoh Yi Chie. I scanned comments and don't think this has been said, so just want folks to be aware that the hair in animal hair brushes is often obtained through some pretty awful means. Some manufacturers are trying to find kinder alternatives these days. (I know this won't matter to everyone.)

[@LauraaDelshams]

It matters to me, I didn't know this! I will totally consider this before buying any brushes. Thank you!

[@snailer2112]

I just ordered a size 18 Da Vinci Cosmotop Mix B brush because i fell in love with how it looked in another water color brushes video you did. I'm really excited to get my first little bunch of mixed hair brushes and see how they compare to my synthetic hair ones. Thank you for all these videos!

[@yasuewho]

Thank you so much for this! I really appreciate the time you take to show differences like this. I'm just getting into watercolor and picking out brushes has been the hardest part. I know I need quality, but it's hard to know what the means by reading reviews.

[@serberusu]

i was just thinking of getting into watercolor, thank you for this!

[@russelpilaza3286]

Esper sameee, coz watercolor is easy to use and fills up the part that you wanna color really fast

[@erictheguitar]

i just bought winston series 7 size 8, 10 and 12and hopefully arrive this week

[@delo1951]

The information you provide in your videos is so helpful for a beginner. Thank you.

[@teohyc]

+delo1951 Thanks 😁

[@akumi3276]

The lustre of the brush handles is so therapeutic to me

[@helenoreillylong9497]

Very informative! Thank you so much.

[@PositivelyNice]

It is so interesting how you almost push for collapsible brushes for travel like how I insist on a collapsible brush for applying lipstick. I just like how similar working with art brushes and working with makeup brushes can be. There is a sense of familiarity. (Not sure if this makes sense to you. Haha. 😅)

[@teohyc]

+PositivelyNice There are no downsides to collapsible brushes and wooden brushes have no significant advantages over them too, unless you need longer brushes.

[@monkeymajikcd]

Thank you Teoh! Im just starting to dabble in watercolors and this is really helpful.. keep up the good work.. will go and read your article.

[@teohyc]

Thanks :-)

[@jewelldean3775]

Your explanation of the different brushes came right on time thank you and I appreciate the difference between the difference of the brushes and it’s always interesting when the artist tell us what brush they are using I’m not necessarily the name of the brush but the hairs of the brush it would be nice to know that thank you so much it was

[@teohyc]

Glad it was helpful

[@krisse33]

It would be very interesting to see brushes for advanced watercolor painters and not the most expencive ones if there are any? Thank you so much for your videos! :)

[@nelsonong3125]

back when I was new to watercolour, I used a collapsible brush but it didn't collapse so I could close the hair. just collapse so I could change sizes. the metal part can just pulled out and change your brush size. it looks like a pencil extender but with brush.

[@wongogubongo8844]

But what is the best brush size of all different types? Does it depend on the paper format or style or better a vary big one or may a smal one or some thig between.. which size is the most used or sold in general?

[@SwatiBasanwal]

Hi Teoh, please make an updated video on this, Love your work :)

[@teohyc]

These are still good. I would add Da Vinci Casaneo for those who want a good synthetic brush.

[@dbalotin]

Thanks, man :D Amazing video!

[@Pottymoon]

Not just about price, there are also ethical reasons for using synthetic

[@rainsantillan8921]

Hey Teoh! I would really love if you could do best mixed media/watercolour sketch book that wont break the bank. I've just finished mine and it would be the best if you could help me find a new one!

[@teohyc]

Check out the watercolour sketchbooks made by Global Art Materials, Pentalic and Moleskine. I have reviews for them at www.parkablogs.com/tags/sketchbooks-drawing

[@ciannacoleman5125]

If you are a complete beginner and don’t know if you will want to continue (or if you want to invest in paper first) I suggest Simply Simon (synthetic) and go for a 6-10 round and a flat. I used these for close to 10yrs, they work just fine and I only had to replace one they are under $5ea or you can get them in a pack which is even better. I also used Grumbacher Academy paint and invested in Arches paper. Paper is really the make it or break it for watercolor, I have some inexpensive paper I use and have to fight with it to do what I want, good cotton paper gives you the freedom to do what you want and truly learn the medium. I have only just upgraded to good quality brushes (Silver Velvets) and am planning on getting Da Vinci paints as I use up my student ones but again that is after 10yrs with “student grade” paint since I wasn’t selling my original paintings.

[@agntsmth77]

Which brand do you think makes the heaviest brushes? It drives me crazy when you can’t feel them in your hand.

[@gpong1]

thank you for this!

[@spiritsjoy]

I got some "kolinsky" travel brushes from Amazon under the name of Fuumuui for 24 dollars in a 3 pack with a case. I find it hard to believe that these are true kolinsky at this price but, i like them. They also have a squirrel travel set and a synthetic travel set.

[@jochu-art]

in your blog you recommend the cosmotop mix B but in the vid you use a mix F. is the mix B better than the mix F? what are their differences? performance wise.

[@teohyc]

+Cai Actually the difference is not significant. Mix B hair is a mix of Kolinsky Red Sable, Russian Blue Squirrel, and Russian Fitch (Black Sable), synthetic hair. Mix F is Kolinsky Red Sable, Ox Hair (sometimes called Sabeline), Russian Fitch (Black Sable) and synthetic hair. In theory, Mix B should hold more water because of the squirrel hair, but in real life it's difficult to tell the difference when using them, at least for me.

[@forjazznjava]

I am finding that traveling with brushes is hard on the bristles. Can't find a collapsible brush in the stores near here (Northern CA) so I will go online and check that out.

[@teohyc]

+CJ Walton Jackson's Art (UK) has free international shipping for brushes for purchases over £20. www.jacksonsart.com/?acc=c9f0f895fb98ab9159f51fd0297e236d&___store=jacksonsart_en

[@jasneskis]

I just found when painting... collapsible brush handles pull off too easily and sometimes just slip off because the tops are not fitted tightly. Screw tops may work better and I have no screw collapsible brushes. Still must be small enough to fit into my paint box. But I do also carry a pencil case for squirrel brushes.

[@teohyc]

+jasneskis You can press the opening slightly to close it down slightly, so that it will hold the tops tighter.

[@jaysonbossuet211]

noob question I've started watercolor to lighten a color does it matter if you use white or add more water?

[@teohyc]

+Jayson Bossuet With watercolour, to lighten, you add more water. There is no transparent white, so if you add white, it will make your colours opaque, and they will be less vibrant.

[@higherground711]

Very helpful. ^_^ Thanks.

[@Rosa-wk9yj]

I have a 3/8 sized princeton mixed media angled red brush. Is the size too small? Its all i have and im thinking of trying gouache soon but i dont really have budget to buy another brush. Thanks for the video very helpful

[@teohyc]

I’m not sure how big is that brush as different companies use different brush size system. Use that brush first, and if you find the size wrong, get a new brush

[@Rosa-wk9yj]

@@teohyc Thanks man!

[@suenamanalang8932]

What do you call that thin brush used for drawing very fine lines. I heard Ann Kerr refer to it as something like Wriggler or Rigger?

[@teohyc]

Rigger

[@sofialodigiani5328]

is Tintoretto sold outside Italy? It's a great brand of brushes, also economic, for acrylic and oils they have a bunch of lines, and they have also a quite new watercolor line.

[@teohyc]

+Sofia Lodigiani I have not heard of Tintoretto.

[@sofialodigiani5328]

Teoh Yi Chie thanks for the answer. Well, if you ever come to Italy and you need a brush, they work great☺

[@dianateabag]

Sofia Lodigiani i bought 2 Tintoretto brushes in Italy last year on a trip and I loved them! Sadly it seems nobody sells them outside Italy

[@sofialodigiani5328]

dianateabag what a pity, right?

[@Pottymoon]

What was the make of the size 8 synthetic brush with gold band on it please?

[@teohyc]

That's a pocket brush I bought in Japan. The brand is Holbein.

[@tofucube7703]

I think collapsible brushes are heavensent for students who store their brushes in their pencil case not in an expensive case

[@espic3128]

I find very useful the video! I also like very much the aesthetics of your videos in general, and this one turns very beautiful to me!! Do you have any recommendations on how to improve your brushes and change into a more professional set? Maybe that could be a video :)

[@teohyc]

+Es Pic After you find synthetic brushes to be limiting, you can switch to using sable brushes. They hold more water so they do not need to be reloaded that often, and they release paint consistently as shown in the video. Two big advantages over synthetic brushes. If price is a problem, just swap out smaller brushes with sable brushes.

[@Taudlitz]

there is also the option of using cosmetic nail brushes if you want to have cheap sable brush. They keep point really nice and are cheaper than watercolor brushes

[@hollymitchell6436]

That's what I have been trying as well!

[@capyboppy]

Taudlitz me too. I have just bought a set off Amazon for the amazing price of £3.99p. I bought it for the tools for ‘dotting’ and also the case. All the brushes have the protective clear brush covers on; and after trying a couple out I was amazed at the durability of them. They are of course more suited to fine/miniature delicate work, but amazing value.

[@amyr.862]

Do you recommend a brand? I tried a nail brush from my local store and it was floppy. Smelled like natural hair when it was wet but no snap at all.

[@Taudlitz]

@@amyr.862 I dont think mine were some particular brand, they dont have any marking on them or such. Got them from ebay after searching "kolinsky nail brush" As people mentioned they are mostly for details, no big washes or such. They might be a bit gamble but at the price its worth the risk imo.

[@louisejohnson1898]

how do you store non collapsible brushes so they don't damage?

[@teohyc]

Lay then on the side to dry fully then store them with hair pointing up.

[@edysetiawanwijaya1412]

Hi Teoh~ What do you think of Kuretake Menso Kolinsky? they said it's really nice brush for detailing. Is it better than Winsor kolinsky detailing brush? Thank you~~

[@teohyc]

As long as it is Kolinsky, it should perform the same.

[@mararsc]

Thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! agaaaaaiiiiinnnnnn.

[@Pottymoon]

What is the brand of the ‘more affordable synthetic brush’ you demonstrated?

[@teohyc]

Nowadays, I recommend Silver Black Velvet, Da Vinci Casaneo or Winsor Newton synthetic sable.

[@chrissivilla.author]

@@teohyc thanks! I was looking into buy a more affordable one since I am just starting to do urban sketching! You rock, Teoh. 🙂

[@chrissivilla.author]

thanks for asking this question, Potty!

[@teohontech7141]

@@chrissivilla.author For urban sketching, maybe consider Da Vinci Casaneo since there's pocket brush varient. The even better ones are Da Vinci Maestro. Rosemary brushes are good value for money and available as pocket brushes too.

[@chrissivilla.author]

@@teohontech7141 I didn't realize that there are so many models and each size is different. I am now confused. So what model for the Da Vinci Casaneo. Thanks!

[@DavidGmoSpeedDrawings]

Da Vinci brushes are amazing! But there are so expensive 😖

[@teohyc]

+David Gmo / Watercolor They last long with proper care so it is still quite worth it.

[@Donna_G]

I use Niji waterbrushes. I bought my first one over 2 years ago and just recently had to replace it. when I can hold my painting more upright, the water doesn't feed into the brush. The waterbrush works better for small painting. My other brushes are mostly synthetic. Some were labeled as mixed media brushes and some were labeled as watercolor brushes. I have one brush that I got free for buying something else. It came from either Daniel Smith or Cheap Joe's. It's an Escoda brand; but, I don't recall if it was identified as synthetic or natural hair brush. I have a brush holder that is made of thin strips of bamboo. It has pockets inside that can hold a lot of brushes. It rolls up and can be secured with a string on the outside. It doesn't accidentally come unrolled; at least, it never has so far. I bought it locally at a book and office supply store and have never seen it again. I have not even been able to find it on line. The brush holders that I see now that are similar in design all seem to be made of canvas.

[@teohyc]

+Donna G I have one of those bamboo brush wrap too. I bought mine from Amazon. It's still there. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027AAT20?tag=ttmus-20

[@Donna_G]

Oh, thank you, Teoh. I will save this in my save for later cart.

[@OkieSketcher1949]

I normally use the water brush when I use watercolor pencils. These brushes normally dissolve the pencil marks better than my hair brushes. I really enjoy your videos. Thank you for what you do.

[@teohyc]

Thanks. Yeah, those synthetic bristle brushes are stronger and work better with watersoluble pencils.

[@jillmartin2351]

What is a good brush in between the most expensive and a Princeton?

[@teohyc]

I’ve not used Princeton so I can’t say much. Anyway, you should compare the hair and shape. Hair type determines the performance

[@jillmartin2351]

@@teohyc do you have a mix synthetic, natural brush you recommend around $50

[@teohontech7141]

@@jillmartin2351 For mixed synethetic, maybe check out Da Vinci Cosmotop B

[@HolyJonsonhi]

👍

[@davescupper5789]

I've seen a lot of watercolourists using the Chinese calligraphy brushes, I'd like to try some but I'd like to see and feel them in the flesh before I buy any. I don't want to buy any more brushes from the Internet without seeing/ feeling them, I've got quite a few brushes I bought online that I don't use. If I'm going to spend good money on brushes I want to see them in the flesh. Do you use chinese calligraphy brushes? 🙂

[@teohyc]

I don't have Chinese calligraphy brushes so I'm not sure what's the difference between those and watercolour ones. I'm sure there's a YT video on it.

[@liptong2645]

Wow phuong tra :v

[@user-hs2hc7kl4c]

help i bought nylon brushes for my watercolor help

[@ybipbip]

Teoh escoda ultimo isn't natural hair ^^'

[@kirozfln9717]

snt the wash brush also called a mop?

[@teohyc]

You are right.

[@kirozfln9717]

@@teohyc thanks

[@MyGamefreak0]

i heard the startup of super smash bros melee