Choosing The Best Portable Watercolor Brushes

Рет қаралды 47,501

Күн бұрын

This is a look at a variety of synthetic, portable watercolor brushes. These are some excellent options for your portable watercolor kit. In this video, I test out all the brushes and discuss the various characteristics of each.
Wet Paint - wetpaintart.com
Here is a link to the Miller Pseudo Sable Watercolor brushes:
www.cheapjoes.com/miller-s-pse...
Here is a link to the Escoda brushes:
www.cheapjoes.com/escoda-versa...
Here is a link to the Koi watercolor brush:
amzn.to/2dgp4Re
Here is a link to the Pentel Aquash:
amzn.to/2e4Zpdf
Here is a link to the Derwent Watercolor Pen:
amzn.to/2dgqf35
Credits:
Video production and content: Marty Owings
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Contact me directly.
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owingsart.com
I buy all the materials I review on the channel unless otherwise stated. I strive to be fair to every product, however my first responsibility is to the Viewers and Artists who watch and support this channel. - Marty Owings

Пікірлер: 127

@timeglass777 5 жыл бұрын

I don't own any travel brushes except water brushes because good travel brushes are expensive. A set of Escoda brushes is over $100, and the Miller brushes about $50. For someone who owns more than 2 cups of watercolor brushes, I don't think it is a good investment. Rather, when I travel, I just take a couple of normal watercolor brushes and use sections of a straw as caps to protect them. As for water, just use my old pill bottles. Guess I'm a bit cheap :)

@gorway7 6 жыл бұрын

I used a Pentel water brush for several years when out sketching and I agree they are really handy. They were great for the simple ink sketches I did with just a fountain pen and the normal soluble black ink - but when I moved on to watercolour a friend gave me a collapsible sable brush and I was just hooked. I have not gone back to the water brush. I suppose water has never been a problem for me as most of the time I am near a pond, lake or stream and in the summer I usually have a water bottle with me anyhow. I usually cut the bottom off an empty plastic bottle to use as a water pot. I must get one of those fancy Faber Castell - collapsibles someday. Last year I treated myself to a small folding squirrel mop brush and that is now my go-to travel brush of choice, but you do need access to more water though as it holds so much more paint.

@teresab1341 7 жыл бұрын

Happy Birthday Marty! Thank you for the comparisons on the brushes! Appreciate your time and explanations! Have a great birthday week!

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you Teresa. :-)

@AnnieSterner 7 жыл бұрын

Always a pleasure to see your videos! Now you make me want those Joe Miller brushes!

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Annie - I know what you mean, they're pretty good actually. ~Marty

@UJB123 9 ай бұрын

I generally buy Pentel Aquash Mini. Excellent control & flow. for a water brush. I also have a few of the “travel brushes”. That was nice of them to send you a $110 Escoda set, lol

@denisechapel1040 7 жыл бұрын

Another fabulous review Marty! Timely too! We are looking at adding some good brushes to our supplies and I think these just went on our Christmas list! Thanks a bunch for all the great info you share and the time you put into all your endeavors we sure appreciate it. 😊👍

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Denise - Thank you so much for the kind words, I always look forward to hearing from you. I think you'll love any of these, but the Escoda's are exceptional. :-) ~Marty

@mabtes6 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! Answered some basic questions about functionality- can't wait to get wet!

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you Marge. Glad it helped. Thank you for watching! ~Marty

@teresab1341 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Marty! Just watched your video from upper Michigan and it was so peaceful! So beautiful! And your paintings were amazing! Thank you for sharing those!

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Teresa. I really appreciate the kind remarks. Thank you very much. ~Marty

@kathyn3978 7 жыл бұрын

Great review, Marty. And a belated happy birthday! I did not know those compact brushes came in a kit like that. I love my waterbrushes but might have to check those others out. Thanks as always. Like your son doing the trailer...so cute. Get the hats and gloves out! 🌨 (And I'm getting my sample pack of Stillman & Birn papers soon. Anxious to try each one!)

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the birthday wishes Kathy. The little brush sets from Escoda and Cheap Joes are pretty cool to use. Yep, winter is on the way up here in the great North. Let me know what you think of the S&B papers. Thanks ~marty

@judybrown9175 7 жыл бұрын

Very nice reviews of the brushes! As always you are so thorough and concise. Thanks so much for the great information. Kind regards from Michigan.

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Judy - Thank you! :-) ~Marty

@JeanneGS1 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Marty! Belated Happy Birthday greetings to you!! Thanks for this review; I used both Koi and Pentel water brushes for a while now and like them. I also keep a mini fine-mister in my pocket kit - good for wetting paper and, if necessary, even refilling the brush reservoir. But I have been looking at the other types of travel brushes - I like to have options. ;) Some are soooo expensive!! I really want to snag a set of those Cheap Joe's Miller brushes - they seem to be a great buy. They are, of course, sold out already, but on backorder! :) I am taking a short trip next month and hope to have something by then. In any case, I would not have known about them if not for your review - so thank you very much!!!

@QueenWaspGo 7 жыл бұрын

I love cheap joes brushes! I really enjoy my oval wash pseudo squirrel brush, but I had no idea they made a travel set like that!

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking out the video.

@realfingertrouble Жыл бұрын

I really recommend the Escodas - I have Sable and Versatil in the travel brushes, and tbh if you can't afford the sable, get the Versatil cos it's almost the same! I also have a pocket real hair squirrel brush from Rosemary's Brushes which is nice, and a smaller DaVinci Sable travel brush which is good too for detail work, but I use it less because I tend to do bigger stuff. But synthetics are so good now, that weirdly one of my faves at the moment are some cheap non-travel synthetic Squirrel Mops from Artway....really cheap, but a lot of fun, and I like that you can do point work and washes with the same brush, chinese/Japanese style.

@danakolpin1289 6 жыл бұрын

I am just starting to get into watercolor . This demo was great. Dana

@owingsart 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking it out Dana.

@EveBolt 7 жыл бұрын

Great review! And (late) happy birthday! :) WetPaintArt seems like a great store, I love their custom Schmincke palettes!

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you Eve. Hope you are well my friend.

@hermionejarvis648 7 жыл бұрын

Excellent, very interesting video! I'll have to look into those brushes from Cheap Joe's!

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Hermione - They're pretty spectacular. I like both sets. ~Marty

@123AGM100 7 жыл бұрын

Always enjoy your reviews Marty!

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you Rhonda. I always appreciate your notes. :-)

@catbaril9072 7 жыл бұрын

I love the ones with a reservoir. A good point with them is that you can also use them with inks or such inside to make real brush markers. I would rince the bristle before storing it, however. but still could turn your favorite bolted ink (or even paint maybe) in a portable pen.

@go-go-genevieve 5 жыл бұрын

This was helpful! Thank you :)

@starshinesoldier 7 жыл бұрын

Great comparison video Marty! I just recently got some mini water brushes like the Koi you showed us (They are a no name brand though). I am excited to try them! They are really tiny and adorable! XD

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Let me know what you think of your "no name" brushes. ~Marty

@pillowrainy_art 7 жыл бұрын

Great review! I just thought I'd add in that the Pentel Aquash has a compact version as well, it's about 2/3 the length of the original and hold 2/3 of the water as well so it's not much of a loss. Another plus is that you can stick the cap on the end and extend the barrel for a more comfortable grip.

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Ahhh, you're absolutely right. I completely forgot that. I saw one a while back at the store, but passed it up. I'm going to have to try it out now. Thanks ~Marty

@erins.5420 7 жыл бұрын

Cheap joes pseudo sable brushes are nice! And you're right that are hard to distinguish next to the real thing but only detectable when the brushes are dry. Great review!! Happy birthday! Take care!

@erins.5420 7 жыл бұрын

Oh and I have to add, I had the damnedest time with the derwent water brushes. I got the I think set of 3 when they were released a believe 2 ish years ago and I tried to like them and I even tried to use them for mixing just the paint and couldn't get that task done well with them. God bless!

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Some of the early Derwent brushes might have had quality issues. I remember hearing something similar from some Artists a hole back. I really enjoyed using the Cheap Joe's Pseudo sable brushes. ~Marty

@Donna_G 7 жыл бұрын

I have a couple of Niji waterbrushes which I like to use when I'm painting something small like a greeting card or postcard. But, the reservoir is smaller than the waterbrushes you have in your video. At least, they seem smaller. I don't have any of the Escoda travel brushes; but, I do have a regular one that was icluded free with the purchase of watercolor paper from Cheap Joe's. Or, maybe it was a palette of some sort. I've had it for a while and it is one of my favorite brushes.

@nancyrolfe3033 5 жыл бұрын

Escoda travel brush envy...lol..My 1st good brush was size 12 Isabey Sable I got on ebay when it was really regular people selling. Cheap Joe's the best!!

@KateTheSleepyTeacher 7 жыл бұрын

Marty, great review as always !!!! Your knowledge and art work always impress me. Did I see correctly that it is your birthday ?? If so, happy birthday to you. And congrats on the freebies! What a great birthday present. Your son at the end was super cute :)

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you Kate. Yep, yesterday was my birthday, I'm getting old..lol. My son thought it would be cool to be on the video, so I figured, "why not". :-) Hope you're having an awesome week Kate. ~Marty

@aviaja2008 6 жыл бұрын

The Escoda brushes look very nice :) I use a water and shock proof field box I bought at a store dealing with hunting equipment, The original purpose for this particular box is to store your phone or other non-waterproof equipment. and it is very cheap.

@owingsart 6 жыл бұрын

They are very nice Aviaja.

@lorijones9579 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for another great review Marty! Waterbrushes are growing on me. I bought one just to use with brusho colors, because you can make a splashy brusho color background and then use a waterbrush to paint your design into the background with bleach and turn the paper back to a perfect white. I didn't like it for watercolor for a while, but I'm slowly starting to like them for that. Appreciate your opinions. The Escoda brushes look great too though.

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Lori - They do take a bit of getting used to, I agree. Now I use them all the time. I like the synthetics, they have a nice spring. My all-time favorite is the Siberian Blue Squirrel hair mop brush by Isabey....it's incredible. Escoda's are classy and well made, they also do a nice job. ~Marty

@thefrugalcrafter 7 жыл бұрын

I have had my eye on the cheap joes psudo sables!

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Message me Lindsay. I have a contact for you. :-)

@corikay 7 жыл бұрын

So good to see a new video from you! You were missed. I have several brands of waterbrushes, and travel brushes...I must admit, on my regular day to day grab and go, my favorite is the Pentel Aquash. It simply feels better in the hand, holds plenty of water, never leaks, and the medium size gives me plenty of range. Thanks Marty! Hope to see more from you soon.

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Corikay - Same here. Love the Pentel brush and I also use the medium. Just does a great job. Have you tried any of the portable watercolor brushes by Joe's or the Escoda's?

@corikay 7 жыл бұрын

I am a crazy "gotta have it" kinda girl...So yes, I do several travel brushes: DaVinci, Black Gold, Daniel Smith, Rosemary & Co., Connoisseur, several types of Escoda, Cheap Joe's and Pro Arte Midas Touch... I like them all, however, for what I do in my travel journal, nothing beats the Pentel Aquash. I rarely have to carry additional water, and it really holds its point. The price point is great, and honestly, I prefer a synthetic to a Kolinsky Sable or Squirrel. I realize that the natural hairs hold more paint and water, but that isn't an issue with a waterbrush...and I prefer the spring of a synthetic. Just personal preference... It's funny that I continue to search for the "perfect brush"...and in my case, I truly already have it!

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

corikay Ha! I do the same thing. There must be a holy grail of brushes out there, but you're right...I probably already have it. My favorite brush is a Siberian Blue Haired Squirrel brush made by Isabey. Its a mop brush, but its AWESOME. ~Marty

@corikay 7 жыл бұрын

LOL! Oh Great....Now I am going to "have to" have one of those too! Thanks Marty! Have a wonderful weekend~!

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

corikay ;-)

@papimuhut 6 жыл бұрын

Wow great information will check them out

@owingsart 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you kindly.

@raed3063 7 жыл бұрын

Great review Marty. Helped me a lot. 👍🏽 lol was wondering whose sweet little voice that was at the end. Now I known from reading the comments. 🚶

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Renee - Great to hear from you. Thanks for watching to the end. :-)

@jfm14 6 жыл бұрын

Oh hey, didn't realize we're in the same neck of the woods. Greetings from western Wisconsin! I've yet to make it over to Wet Canvas, but it seems everyone has good things to say about that place. I'm excited to check it out. :)

@owingsart 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Jennifer - Welcome to the channel fellow Midwesterner. You want to look for Wet Paint, not Wet Canvas, easy to get the two confused. You are going to love the place, it's absolutely awesome. ~Marty

@GratefulDeb270 3 жыл бұрын

Well done! Just subscribed. 😊

@owingsart 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you 😊 I

@mooseballet 7 жыл бұрын

Great review Marty. Thanks!

@mooseballet 7 жыл бұрын

Was that your son at the end of the video?

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Ahhhh...you found the Easter Egg. Yes that was my wee son, Ethan. :-) Thank you for watching the entire video Helen. AWESOME!

@paulage1art 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Marty, Great review as always! Going to have to keep this review in mind when I spend my Christmas gift cards! Really liking the set of Cheap Joe's travel brushes! Happy to see Cheap Joe's send you some nice products to review! Will be sure to make a note that I bought items after watching your review. If I use the link, do they see that it came from your review and do you get any percentage? Would like to be sure to support your work and channel!

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Paula - You're so kind. No, I don't think they know from the link, so if you mention it, that would be fantastic. I appreciate the follow. Thank you so much Paula. ~Marty

@wr3233 5 жыл бұрын

Hello! Please i need the best brushes for blending.

@2lmdi 6 жыл бұрын

I love water brushes and have quite a few brands. One thing.. when I first got started with them I thought they were all pretty much the same but soon found out some have backflow valves and some don't and price won't tell you as on Amazon for instance there are many inexpensive ones, mainly sold in sets, both with and without valves so be sure to read comments/reviews.

@owingsart 6 жыл бұрын

You're right. It pays to spend a little more for a better pen.

@ReelsandRoses 7 жыл бұрын

The Durwent brushes were actually my first brushes I've ever used. They're great brushes, but with the white bristles they can very easily become discolored after some colorful paintings. But at one of my art stores they're so cheap, it really doesn't matter. And they also have a pack of 3 option where you can get a fine tip, a bigger tip, and a chisel tip.

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

It's okay if the become discolored, they'll still work the same, unless that discoloration irritates you there's no need to replace them. :-) ~Marty

@cesarsilva2403 7 жыл бұрын

I just bought my first 12 half pans of watercolors, the pocket field sketch box from Koi, very happy with it, nice video sir :)

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Hey Cesar - Thanks for the note. Do you do outdoor sketching?

@cesarsilva2403 7 жыл бұрын

that is why I bought the Watercolors, got inspired by some videos including the one you sketch near the Mississippi river, and decided to try it.

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Cesar Silva Excellent. Do you have website or a blog where you can share your work?

@cesarsilva2403 7 жыл бұрын

Not yet, but I'm seriously thinking about it. hey have you ever thought about doing some "art critique"? like people send you their drawings/paintings and you give your opinion and tips where people can improve, I think it would be interesting for your channel.

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Cesar Silva Lisa Clough over at Lachri Arts does that and is really good at it. It's not my thing really. :-)

@gasperettiarts 7 жыл бұрын

Your channel is awesome

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much.

@SadieSavestheDay 7 жыл бұрын

Hey Marty! I don't know if you are interested in checking out more portable watercolor brushes, but I tried this brand called Pro Art and they have a line of synthetic watercolor brushes called Prolene plus that I really love for plein air gouache sketching!

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Sadie - Thanks for the great tip, yes for sure I'll check it out. Much appreciated. ~Marty

@capbin146 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Marty I got the Koi one it fits in their 10 or 12 portable set really useful set all in one size of a cigarette pack. The derwent is good but I found it sucks back discolouring the reservoir. Not happened with Pentel. It was a bigger sky but don't think it should have happened. Thanks for your review.

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Big C. Which one do you use the most. ~Marty

@capbin146 7 жыл бұрын

Owings Art The Pentel but I have the three pack of derwent so I have one set for travelling and the second set for lazy painting in the house. Just bought a caran dache but not tried it yet. Vacation coming up so hopefully time to play then.

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Big C I find I use the Pentel the most as well. You'll get lot's of use on your vacation, hopefully.

@suewilkinson910 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Marty. You didn't review the performance of the Derwent water brush. I was hoping you would. I have them, they are the only water brushes I have. I struggle with water control and was hoping to find out what you thought of them. If you have a minute perhaps you could give more of a user review of the actual water brushes?

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Sue - The Derwent brush was excellent. I did try it at about 11:00, I just didn't spend much time discussing it. I thought it felt good in the hand, if not a little narrow. Overall it performed well in all aspects. Hope that helps. ~Marty

@suewilkinson910 7 жыл бұрын

Owings Art thanks Marty. I need to persevere then. See if I can get better water control with it. Nice to know you found the brand good.

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Sue Wilkinson That said, I still prefer the Pentel Aquash. :-)

@lisathaviu1154 7 жыл бұрын

You might want to try the Caran D'Ache water brushes. They come in a 3 brush set and the water is controlled with a little button on the side. The flow is not as generous as with a Pentel, but I find them easier to work with, especially for smaller work. Also, one of the brushes in the Caran D'Ache set is a marker tipped brush, which works really well as a scrubber and lifter.

@bootsmama1027 7 жыл бұрын

Did you get a chance to go to Wet Paint for their 40th Anniversary celebration? I think it's great that in the time of internet shopping, an independent art store has survived that long. I love that store.

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Jill - Yes and it was awesome. I went for the Exquisite Corpse opening and I'm in there almost twice a week. Yes, I think it's awesome that it's such a success. If something is really good I think the entire community will support it. ~Marty

@charlottefitch4997 7 жыл бұрын

Hi, my waterbrush seems dirty in the top part above the brush. Any ideas on how to clean it? I do change the water but it doesn't make a differance.

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Yes, hello Charlotte - I have had success soaking them in a water bleach mixture for about 10 minutes. 2 parts water, 1 part bleach. They turn white again. Make sure you since it really good afterward. Also, you can only do this so many times before it messes up the nylon bristles for good, so wait until the brush really needs it. Hope that helps. ~Marty

@JaneMetcalfe 6 жыл бұрын

Hiya Marty? How are you? Well I hope. I don't know if you have done another video of waterbrushes since this one but I noticed you had a Derwent. I, too, have a Derwent Medium Waterbrush that I use with Inktense pencils. That is the only reason I bought one. However, despite me not using it that often the water now refuses to come out the bottom of the pen. I'm not sure if it's an air-bubble problem or what. I do know that it's a common occurence but what do I do to rectify it? It's weird that it worked like a dream when I first bought it and now it doesn't want to know. I can squeeze the living daylights out of it and no water comes out (or very little). How strange is that? Has this ever happened with your waterbrushes? I'm wondering about the Pentel one as loads of artists use those, but I'm more of a colourist, not an artist..but I am learning all the time.😇

@owingsart 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Jane - I had to take mine completely apart and clean everything. It works great for a while and then plugged again, so I had to toss it out. I just use the Pentel now.

@JaneMetcalfe 6 жыл бұрын

Yes, a lot of people use Pentels don't they? I shall bear that brand in mind, thanks.

@427North 7 жыл бұрын

very informative. Thank you

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much.

@FuzBrain 7 жыл бұрын

So what do you guys think is better, Koi, or pentel? I'm thinking of buying a water brush, but I'm worried about the pentel leaking too much, but I've head koi is pretty cheaply made.

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Pentel.

@anitaholmes6824 7 жыл бұрын

Great review and information! TFS

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you Anita. Hope you are well.

@anitaholmes6824 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you, yes, cold tho'....deep in snow here in Alberta, leaving soon for Arizona for the winter thank goodness!

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Anita Holmes I Alberta already in the deep freeze?

@anitaholmes6824 7 жыл бұрын

Yes, early this year, around freezing early morning and slightly above during the day, however we have a severe weather warning for central Alberta for the next couple days and the snow has been falling since yesterday. Time to go south...LOL we go the end of the month.

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Anita Holmes Should be very nice in Arizona this time of year. :-)

@free2danz1960 7 жыл бұрын

can you tell me if there is any such thing as a round watercolor brush that doesnt have a point on it?:Ive been searching but havent found one yet. I figured if anyone would know it would be you.

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Greetings and thank you for the questions. YES!!! It happens after you've worn the point down on the regular watercolor brush...lol. Happens to me all the time. That said you can either buy them, worn already (used) or you can round the tips yourself by using a scissors and cutting a round shape off the top. Here is a brush that comes close, it's called a dusting mop brush. Hope this helps amzn.to/2mi7emF Thanks ~Marty

@ColoringKaria 7 жыл бұрын

Hey! Another great video. The only thing i would add is that you can keep water from getting muddy by using two or three cups. thats what i do. of course that means i have to be somewhere with a flat surface but i dont mind. if i want to be 100% portable. thanks for letting me know about the Joe Miller pseudo sable. which escoda did you get? I have the prado which i like a LOT. p.s your son is adorable!

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Good to here from you my friend. I forget with Escoda it was, but they are all in the "travel" edition case. Been watching your channel grow and you're doing great work, keep it up and Happy New Year!!!! ~Marty

@ColoringKaria 7 жыл бұрын

Happy new year! thank you so much!

@sandjune2753 Жыл бұрын

The escoda link does not work. So which Escoda ones are they ? Prado, optimo, ultimo, reserva ?

@owingsart 23 күн бұрын

Reserva I believe.

@mindrawsstuff3562 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Marty does the escoda reserva fit in an 12 half pan palette?

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Yes it does.

@mindrawsstuff3562 7 жыл бұрын

Owings Art thanks

@Skinnychelle48 7 жыл бұрын

I bought the Koi one yesterday. I got it home and found that the top brush pieces won't screw on...defective. Taking but back.

@owingsart 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Yvette - I think the Koi screw on in the opposite direction. It's Japanese so the screw on left to right. Europe and North America screws on right to left. I think that's what you're talking about? ~Marty

@madisonxyz9887 6 жыл бұрын

Yvette Williams They are a Japanese product so Right is right and left is losse.