Which Watercolor Detail Brush Should I Use? Pro and Cons of Every Category.

At some point we all reach for a detail brush to paint something thin or small. Here's a round up of what I might reach for and a discussion about each one's pros and cons.
Dagger Brush Demo - • Dagger, Sword Brush Sp...
Note: I do not have links for all the brushes but provided the ones that I could
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Silver Brush Black Velvet:
• #10 Round - amzn.to/3P1P6tQ
• #4 Round - amzn.to/461dSQC
Princeton Aqua Elite:
• # 12 Round - amzn.to/3p2PLjW
• #1 Rigger/Liner - amzn.to/3CmYZdQ
• 3/8" Dagger - amzn.to/43zeDix
Silver Brush Ruby Satin Wedge/Triangle:
• Medium - amzn.to/45YdMJG
• Xtra Small - amzn.to/4602aG3\
Trekell Protegé Set - amzn.to/43Ps9Pf
Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Pointed Round (set, no other links) - amzn.to/4602tRd
Silver Brush Golden Natural:
• #12 Ultra Round - amzn.to/3NndHIk
• #8 Ultra Round - amzn.to/3JdvgIf
Manuscript Calligraphy Brushes - No link
Detail Brush Set (similar) - amzn.to/3qyrvqh
Davinci Cosmotop Spin #2 Rigger/Liner - amzn.to/3CvkIjP
Grumbacher Golden Edge #-2 Rigger/Liner - amzn.to/42vwNjO
••••••••••••• Other Supplies ••••••••••••••
Lebenzon Handmade Brushes - lebenzon-paintbrushes.com
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[@Blick_Art]

So glad we took the time to watch this! It sure does help keep the field sketching kit lean if you can pack an extra large round that holds a small point! It takes an investment in practice to learn how to vary hand pressure to get more from a single brush, but we know a lot of landscape painters who get by on a surprisingly efficient brush selection

[@mindofwatercolor]

Good points! Glad you watched also. Thanks for the input!

[@berolinastrassmann]

PS: brush making is still done by hand in most well respected rands: Da Vinci, Rosemary, Escoda for example. It is fascinating to see how a master brushmaker puts together the precise amount of hairs to shape into the brush. They cut and tie the hairs by hand, glue them to the ferrule, and test them. I think Da Vinci has a few videos on this on YT. It gave me an appreciation of why somerimes good bushes are expensive and am ther reson to take care of them. There are so many hand made interventiins to get one brusg out the door. Here in 🇩🇪 there is an area near Nuremberg renowned for brush making companies ( Da Vinci, Kum, Kolibri and others doing white label work for other brands) where small and big companies have established themselves for decades.

[@greekveteran2715]

Let me also add the Raphael 8408 series, which along with their 803 Quill mop, are my alltime favorite brushes! Their design, both on the handle, for superior precision control,balance, and the design of the bristles, are second to none!

[@berolinastrassmann]

@@greekveteran2715 Thanks for this additional information. I am so curious now, and will go check them out. I recently saw a video (by Cécile Yadro) showing how Raphael brushes are made, all by hand in Brittany, France, by a family that has been doing this for years. More reasons to like their brushes!

[@greekveteran2715]

Raphael 8408 series, No6 (my love!) /No2/No0/No00 are my go to for detail. Best watercolor brushes,for illustrations, Botanical,Sketching you name it! Raphael, is like Pentel Graphgear 500 pencils, they make the perfect balance on their handles and even the 803 No4 Quill mop I own, is so precise and so fast and easy to use, it's redicilus! Can't get any better!!!

[@PattisArtInnaVan]

I have a small triangle brush and I just love that thing! I have more fun with it and can actually do so much with it! Thanks for going into this, especially the Kalinsky that's on my wish list!

[@AFAskygoddess]

Price often times doesn't matter. I have seven round Escoda Reserva round brushes. After I bought them, I was given a free Princeton Aqua Elite round brush at a watercolor convention. I honestly like it better.

[@eileencollins3126]

My father had a rule, "Use the right tool for the job". I like spotters, as I feel I get better control with them, especially when I am doing a botanical style painting. I have 2 Lebezon brushes, and they are truly amazing. I have never even seen the triangle brushes, and may have to get some now! Sometimes I will buy a new brush from my local art store just to see what I can do with it. This was a very informative video.

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Oh wow I have never heard of the pointed round brushes or the triangle brushes before. I have got a 1/2 inch angle shader Princeton Aqua Elite Synthetic Kolinsky Brush for getting into tiny tight areas. I also have a 3/8 inch Princeton Velvetouch Filbert Grainer Brush that I use for both fine hair/fur textures & for the fine grasses textures. I also use an actual Bob Ross #3 Fan Blender Brush for doing my watercolor fine hair/fur textures & fine grasses textures because the bristles of the brush are much stiffer than my filbert grainer brush when doing many layers in my animal/bird or landscape paintings. I have got a huge collection of old cheap ugly brushes that I use for many different textures that I have cut or trimmed for different textures. I also bought a set of 10 miniature nail art brushes for super fine details for animal/bird textures. I am glad to see that if you take care of your best quality brushes that they will last for 15 years too! Thanks so much for explaining & sharing your thoughts & knowledge of these types of brushes. It helps me with figuring out how & what brushes I want to use for doing my kind of watercolor/gouache paintings. It is definitely a huge learning experience & really based on your personal choices, but it’s also great to see & have an experienced artist help guide your art journey too! 👩🏻‍🎨🎨💕

[@halnewhouser1217]

Hi Steve, Love the brush demo. Princeton #12. I Love it because I make it paint what I want. After cleaning after each was. It comes back to shape. No other brush I have helps me as much. Hal

[@christiemoran]

I've never used one, but it looks like the triangle brush would make wonderful fancy fishtails and seaweeds.

[@bearslv]

Looks like hobby lobby carries that Manuscript Calligraphy brush set. I have been a watercolor artist for years and always enjoy your work and teaching. Just continuing to grow at 85! Thanks for sharing your gift. God bless you.

[@mssmiley5691]

You’ve made some excellent points!

[@AngelBomb5000]

Great video! I LOVE my sword liner from Rosemary & Co, handmade brushes out of the UK. It’s like a dagger, but with a very long point. It holds a ton of water and makes the most wonderful expressive tree branches. It’s become essential in my landscapes!

[@judynash2794]

🖌Thank you. i look forward to "playing" with my brushes tomorrow. I didn't know how to use the dagger or rigger.

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Steve, I believe that you are covering all good choices for the brushes in this category! I remember when I went to a watercolor workshop and I set up next to a fella and he actually laughed at the brushes I placed out to use! He said I was going overboard and said I had to many choices and that he only used 2 brushes! A #12 deep belly round Kolinsky, with a 2 inch mottler! If I had picked better brushes I would not need so many choices. I was very discouraged and just knew that I was wasting my time and money! I ended up moving and the lady I moved next to had even more brushes! I ended up having an ok time but if I had not moved I could have had my time ruined! NEVER a best brush but best for you brush! My favorite brushes are LeMer squirrel hair at 6&8 round sizes. I believe they have been discontinued and I have purchased several others but I like the Aqua Elite’s from Princeton. But synthetic Kolinsky is still a good choice and money saving over real Kolinsky! Very good video Steve, thanks!

[@mindofwatercolor]

I hate when others make absolute statements like he did. Even if he was right, sometimes you just have to try many different brushes to know what works best for you.

[@montagnu]

I would have very politely told him to mind his own business.

[@grannieannie1371]

I keep forgetting I've got a dagger brush. I love it though. Thanks for reminding me I owned it.

[@petiteflower5259]

After trying a ton of tiny brushes and riggers, I tried the Golden Natural Ultra Round after seeing it in one of your videos and WOW! This is by leaps and bounds the best at painting fine line details of any brush I've tried and has made painting these details so much more enjoyable and less frustrating. I can't say enough good things about them!

[@plove523]

I like snappy liners too. And a ratty cheap fan brush makes lovely clumps of dried grasses.

[@jeannerolig6042]

This post is invaluable! Thank you so much for the demo and the inspiration, Steve!

[@Sglinert]

The best detail brushes I've ever used are Asian calligraphy brushes. I especially like the brush called Small Red Bean brush--a little stiff, super-sharp point, holds a lot of water. Also has a loop to hang-dry. The only Western brushes that comes close are the small Silver Black Velvets. A good source for Asian brushes is Blue Heron Arts.

[@allisonhenry6705]

Great information!!! Thanks!

[@GabrielStocktonWatercolors]

This is going to get really good!!!

[@bonnieturner9592]

Thanks so much! Very enlightening .

[@petesuchon7340]

Thanks for the video, Steve.

[@maryldoty2400]

Great information about some specialty brushes.

[@mary.reynolds6391]

❤Thank you! Loved it.😊

[@katlynknowlden1969]

Nice shirt! Thanks for the info too!

[@lunaraydesign4645]

This was an Excellent Class - for the watercolour detail brush. I have picked up so much info! Thank you for your hard work and sharing. Cheers

[@sandraharris8386]

This was terrific - informative for a beginner, and fun. Thank you!

[@barrygandersleeve3396]

I have moderate and cheap brushes - no Kolinsky sables! - and I find that I keep coming back to my Silver Black Velvet 3000 series rounds. I do use them for fine detail, and agreeing with you, find my #4 is great - and I also have a #2 for really fine lines. To my surprise, I picked up a cheap synthetic (I think Golden Tacalon (sp?)) at Hobby Lobby for a few bucks - #2 - that I use a lot for detailing. It's "snappier", which allows me even more control than my #2 Black Velvet. I almost never use scrip liner type brushes, not even for branches, being more comfortable with the brushes above....

[@ralphherrick596]

Very useful info thanks ...

[@Linda-qq5mg]

Thank you for your wonderful demonstrations with the brushes. It is such a help! Thanks again.😉

[@karenturner-cf7vq]

Your demonstration was quite helpful. Thankyou

[@NaturalHealthAngel]

Excellent info

[@lorihanby6733]

What a fun video. Makes me want to get out all my brushes and play seeing how many different things I can do with each one. I think a dagger brush is the most fun. 😊💕

[@cindylouwhobohl6983]

Lots of great information about brushes Steve! I am mainly a floral painter and my favorite brush is the Princeton Aqua elite #10. It comes to a nice point but I can also use it to fill in my flower petals and back grounds. I love fan brushes to put in grasses in landscapes and they also make painting palm trees a breeze. I like Royal & Langnickel Zen scrubbers to erase mistakes I have made or to remove color for highlights.

[@johnk3137]

I like to use a flat brush for details frequently using the corner in a similar way to the dager brush, but now I have to try one of those.

[@barbaragemin5117]

That was the most thorough, detailed tutorial on fine point brushes. Than you Steve. The key point you made is what each person wants from the brush. I need the finest point possible but with a fat body that hold water. Versatile, in other words. I have Princeton aqua Elite and a series of the Silver black velvet brushes, which I’ve had for years. You made a good point about riggers- they don’t always have the finest points. Thank you again.

[@craigcastagnoli2447]

@barbaragemin5117 Do you prefer the Black Silver velvet over the Aqua Elite? Trying to make a decision on a new brush. I do a lot of florals. Thanks so much.

[@JC-il4or]

Really great video! Seems I'm always in search of a new brush that will magically make me a better artist.(and i have ALOT LOL). I truly love my Windsor series 7 round-had for many years. You helped me understand more about liners and daggers, so thank you ! I will pull out my specialty brushes in a new light.❤

[@betsyjustaturtle4890]

This is so awesome! I’m learning so much from watching you. I’ve just returned to watercolor after years and years. It is such a joy, and you have multiplied that with all this info. God bless!

[@mariotscott-kiwi]

Thanks for info.

[@Northumbergull]

Hi, from Scotland 👋 I do pretty detailed work. I've recently bought my first dagger brush and am really looking forward to using it 👍

[@montagnu]

My favourite detail brushes are my Princeton brushes from the Heritage and Velvetouch lines. I have them in sizes 2, 1, 0 and 3/0. I also love rigger brushes, but finding some with good points is indeed difficult. The Aqua Elite rigger brush has a very good point. I also have one with a good point made by Rosa, the company that makes Rosa Gallery watercolour paints. I received an order of brushes a few days ago, which included a Colineo 1222 rigger brush, and a Tintoretto 1408 long round brush. It's very long and it has an extremely pointy tip. I haven't had much of a chance to test out either brush yet, but after watching this video I'm going to play with them today. I'm also going to play with my 3/8" Neptune dagger brush. Thanks for the inspiration, Steve. 😁

[@kathleengarness1660]

What a great teaching video!! Steve, you are by far my most recommended youtube watercolor instructor. When I send students on, I make sure your channel is in my list of go-to resources. Thank you so much!

[@c.f.callier]

I found this video helpful in the explanation and demonstration on riggers. I am going to have to play with mine now and see how they can help me paint in my illustrations.

[@hArtyTruffle]

Oooh, I’ve not seen a wedge brush before. I love those marks it makes!

[@allanfink546]

This is a great analysis. I used to do a lot of figure drawing in watercolor from live models, where 30 minutes is a very long pose, and i would try to allow 10 minutes (of the 30 min) for the head and face. I quickly decided to forgo all rough pencil work and decided to just learn to draw well in watercolor with a good fine wc brush. So the brush requirements that emerged are the same as the brushes you show here. Water holding, a fine point, and a varied line width. So I gravitated to a #4 or #6 round kolinsky sable. I would also work small, in the 9x12 range, which is contrary to most figure drawing instruction. Working larger may lead to bigger brushes. I may add that drawing regularly with a good brush spoiled me for life and now i find drawing with a pencil or other dry media to feel kind of...clumsy. In any case i draw often with rounds, liners, and detail brushes, often without pencil work first, and your description here is very useful. I suppose it depends on the kind of work you do and the look you want.

[@mendyviola]

Great info! I like to paint detailed botanicals and I like using the spotter brushes, riggers, and pointed calligraphy pens. I like to use daggers for making leaves and petals. Sumi brushes are a lot of fun and don’t cost a lot. Never heard of the wedge/triangle brush. I’ll have to search one out and try it.

[@bobbietharrington6690]

Great video! I have a large set of brushes that I got 30 years ago when I was taking art lessons. All sizes from big to tiny. Flats and rounds. Robert Simmons White Sable synthetic brushes. I have tried many brands of brushes over the years, and that set has hands down held up and I still use them. Using the small ones right now. I think they actually still make those. They are my favorite.

[@nilawarriorprincess]

Of course this video comes out the day after I ordered nail detail brushes because I had no idea of which type of detail brushes I actually need for watercolor. I do suspect you're going to tell me it's more about technique & practice than tools.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Mostly, but brush types do matter sometimes.

[@meggraham7564]

Superb study and illustration of the differences. I am absolute beginner and I am using a pack of super cheap mixed brushes at the moment to get an understanding of what each style does. These detail type of brushes are missing so this video has given me valuable info on choosing something. I think I will try a dagger as I loved the tree shape and grasses you did. I am experimenting with both flowers and landscape and fine detail. Thank you for this.

[@ChrissieNicely]

Thank you for this overview! 🤩 I live in Germany, so I tend to buy locally made which - by the way - are also handmade! So, I recently saw at "my" art store that Da Vinci has two new lines: Miniture Maestro 70 (Kolinski) and Colineo, a new line of synthetic Kolinsky which is very good (matte grey worden handle). The no. 1222 is a rigger which I have. I am going to get other types of this brush because the hairs on my rigger are a near perfect Kolinski mimic.

[@JohnsArtLife]

Thank you for the video, I have been looking to buy a couple of new brushes to make it a bit easier doing detail with, than my current set, so I found this very useful. Although there are many people recommending things here and elsewhere, I choose only a couple I know I can trust, like you. Some of the items I couldn't find, but I have chosen 2 to try for a while: the Silver black velvet round brush no.4 and pro elite round no.12 all the best, John from the south of England.

[@Sueevans152326]

Excellent instructional video. I have a Levinson large goat synthetic blend and used it for fine detail, but found it difficult to control the right amount of water. Very hard to use on rough paper, but it’s probably great on hot press. I’ve just ordered a Golden Natural and Grumbacher after watching your video. 👍

[@linfrye]

I like Sterling Edwards rounds for dry brush, and a #2 or #1 rigger for fine lines and small splatters. I also like the Sumi-e brushes to splatter large random shapes I often turn into somewhat abstracted flowers.

[@B1ackDahlia767]

This is a wonderful look into some different brush types that is greatly appreciated. It would've been nice to have seen something like this when I was first starting out in watercolor. I was super curious about the triangles & got some as well. As I understand it, they're mainly used in a "stamp & drag" manner for flower petals and leaves & things, but just as you said, you can get some unusual and interesting results. I received a sample ten round, Silver Brush Golden Natural about 8 years ago when I placed a Black Velvet order, (the original, red-handled brushes.) I adored it immediately & did get a few more. I, too, love long pointed rounds and riggers, especially with my intermittent, spasm-y, shaky, nerve-damaged hands. I even have a couple of the very, very long ones, typically used in pin striping, even a few with the tiniest nub of a handle which were weirdly not easy to find. I do wish I had some wider dagger brushes as I've only got one of the Princeton Neptune brushes you showed and one Silver Brush dagger. As you stated, squirrel, floppy, etc. Quills are also amongst my most favored brushes. I've started to experiment with those odd brushes that are like a fat, rather squat round with a rigger in the center - I'm not sure exactly what they're commonly referred to. I've heard them called "inlaid brushes" before, but if that's incorrect, & anyone knows better, I'd definitely appreciate the clarification. I have the DaVinci Casaneo versions, & I'm really enjoying the gentle, hexagonal handles on them. Now, I want to play with my brushes too! Thank you, Steve! @The Mind of Watercolor I've been suffering from artist's block, (which is thankfully incredibly rare for me.) No matter the frequency of it, we all pretty much feel the same type of frustration when experiencing art block. Brush experiments may be exactly what I need. You're the best, Steve! Happy painting.

[@grannysmithart]

one of my favorite brushes is the Isabey cat's tongue. Its made of squirrel and is quite large, 12, so holds a huge amount of water, but has an amazing point. This is a lovely brush to use in backgrounds around irregular objects, such as a bouquet, then i follow up with a size 2 pointed round. For florals and other detail work i use my #2 or #4 pointed rounds by Billy Showell

[@willowbranch5237]

After trying MANY brands of brushes I love my 2 favs, Raphael Kolinsky 8408 and DaVinci Maestro 35. The finest point ever, better than a WN series 7 that I used to use. I do mainly botanicals and these work so well. Thanks for all your wonderful vids.

[@Sick1982]

Thank you for making me even more confused on what to get 😂 But I think you made a good point (lol) about size.. my black velvet nr 6 is better at details than its nr 2 brother.. maybe I just need to get over it and use the nr 6 all the time 😅 I like a rigger for long lines in a certain direction, but not for sharply curved details .. like lets say a painting a hearth shape .. could be me but too floppy to controle .. then again, I want it to hold enough paint to be able to finish the shape 😅 sounds like I want to explore the pointed round maybe 😊

[@uuekene]

I love liner brushes with big bellies for tiny line work, but against shaking hands i have found that B1 vitamin works.

[@ihop8783]

Hello Steve. I really like your channel

[@rogerehinger6694]

I haven't done many Florals either but I do love a sharp point. I must remind myself that you pay for what you get. Any one can market a brush as a sable, but where on the sable Was The hair harvested. It makes a huge difference in performance and a higher price is no guarantee of superior quality, I find synthetic or blends of decent quality are good enough for my limited skills. Although I do probably spend too much for paint, I find that makes a discernible difference in the outcome. Thanks Steve

[@mindofwatercolor]

True. Especially today when limited availability of fine kolinsky is responsible in large part for the hugely inflated prices regardless of quality.

[@renmuffett]

Hi Steve. I was a little confused because you showed the Winser & Newton Artists Watercolour Sable. Not the Winser & Newton series 7 thats in your link. I have both kinds and they are two different brushes. The series 7 is more expensive because it's Kolinsky Sable with a wooden handle. The Artusts Watercolour Sable is not Kolinsky and has a plastic or acrylic type handle that's curved. To tell you the truth, I most prefer my W&N Artusts Watercolour Sables. I have lots of Kolinskys that I rarely ever use.

[@craigcastagnoli2447]

LOVE this! It was so helpful. I am looking for a more all purpose round 8 for loose florals. Your thoughts? Aqua Elite or Silver Black Velvet? Any thoughts?

[@mindofwatercolor]

Completely personal preference. SBV is softer AE has more snap. Both would work and are great brushes.

[@pattycyr8662]

Thanks so much for this excellent video - you are appreciated! I notice some brushes have a cut angle on the opposite end. What can that end be used for - prehaps grasses? Thanks!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yes, for scraping and scratching into the paper.

[@ashleyhawkeswatercolor]

0:18 I paused to tell you that your shirt hurt my brain. 😂 Carry on.

[@mindofwatercolor]

😁

[@Art-What..]

Hi 🧠.. great video, thanks

[@holly-anne680]

Very informative...Thank You!! I wonder if the rigger brush was named by artist of the tall ships..... just a silly thought...LOL!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Not silly. Thats the story supposedly. Thin liner brushes were apparently used to paint the thin lines in the ships rigging.

[@jaimejaime1178]

Hi Steve. Jim from Madrid, Spain (a New Yorker living abroad). First of all, great educational video!!! Learned a lot!!! But... I've seen Jared Cullum (I'm sure you know him) using another super pointy brush in some if his videos and I don't know what it is... It's like a round brush (pretty big size too) but from the center come out very long hairs giving it a super long point. Do you know what type of brush that is and which brands are good? Thank you in advance and sorry to bother you. Cheers from sunny Spain! 😁👍😎

[@montagnu]

It's called a reservoir liner.

[@annmarieerb4587]

They are also call extended point. Rosemary & Co. has a couple of lines of them.

[@Pipermaid]

I would like to know how to take care of your brushes to make them last 15 years. Would be a great subject to make a video. ❤️

[@mindofwatercolor]

Cleaning & Caring For Your Watercolor Brushes kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmmoaGulich2pZo

[@Pipermaid]

Awesome. Thank you so much!

[@KALDAHL99]

The handle on the WN 7 looks different from what I'm used to, long and narrow in the middle. Is that a new design or is it just a trick of the light? 😂

[@mindofwatercolor]

Not sure TBH.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

I had noted as a beginner ( like me ..though 5 years yo yo with watercolour)...we like tight realistic art..then as you see and observe more we tend start to understand more impressionistic style. Why is it so?

[@mindofwatercolor]

I don't think we understand impressionism or even abstract as well until we work through the tight realism.

[@Lily-2019]

Spotters are usually fatter. I find them excellent for specific & smaller paintings... like detailed flowers etc. Jmo

[@mindofwatercolor]

Spotters come in sizes all the way down to 20/0, basically just a whisker. 😁

[@Lily-2019]

@@mindofwatercolor Oh my gosh. 😊 Well, thats good then. Thanks for good info. (As usual.) 🤗

[@carolmalouf5577]

Signature brush, or best tool for signature?

[@mindofwatercolor]

Any you're comfortable writing with. Nothing special is needed.

[@awatercolourist]

First non-Patreon 🙂👋🏼

[@mendyviola]

I’m #4! 😂

[@awatercolourist]

@@mendyviola 😂🏅