The absolute BEST brush is the one you go to over and over, and which makes you so happy that you just want to take that brush everywhere you go and sleep with it. Seriously, for me, the best brushes I have are actually some of the cheapest brushes I've acquired over the years. Some of the fancy, expensive ones have let me down and now collect dust. This is a wonderful discussion and highly important as a reminder for veteran artists and an advice POV for beginners. Well done on this topic, Steve, and presented with straight-up experience. Love that! Hoping all is well, my friend! ~ Mark

My symphony colleague used to say “it’s a poor craftsman that blames his tools.” Usually that was in relation to making a bad note mistake, but, I’m sure it has parallels. I played on a thousand dollar student horn my dad bought me in high school, won three international auditions, performed solos and orchestral rep on it for almost ten pro years before getting an expensive, pro instrument. It made my life a lot easier. I didn’t know the things I was doing physically to make up for such a beginner instrument until I got older and had less physicality to spare to manhandle the instrument.

Some of the best watercolor artists on KZfaq use a single bamboo-handled brush for everything and they're masterful.

The most underrated are the Talens Rembrandt series 110 and 100 and the KUM Memory point. They are made in Germany and are at least, as good as Da Vinci,if not better in some occasions.

I've come to also regard the Aqua Elite as my favorite. I find the point nice and sharp, and for me just right balance between firm/snap vs soft. Doesn't dump the brush load all at once in an uncontrolled fashion onto the paper as I found the DaVinci Cosmotop did. I used to favor the Silver Black Velvet but now find those softer than I'd like. The Escoda Versatil is nice, a bit softer than the Aqua Elite. I agree about the Princeton Neptune rounds lacking a sharp point; they are best used as a soft squirrel substitute for initial washes of larger areas and maybe a unifying glaze. It truly is a matter of personal taste, which apparently changes with time and experience. I advise buying one brush to try out before committing to a set.

Much appreciated you are helping me teach my grandson the value of art I am 80 ( and a artist ) and my grandson is 12 ( a budding artist)

Very helpful! Thank you!!

Thanks for the review. It was very helpful

This is helpful beyond words! Thank you!

LOL! I laughed out loud "Gimme that!" @0:18 too funny, Steve! Great advice as usual :) My favorite brushes are the Jerry's Artarama brand, Mimik Kolinsky and Mimik Squirrel. Love them! Those Princeton Aqua Elites are great too.

You got me started on my watercolor adventure. Silver black velvet is still a major go to for me. Lebenzon, are my extravagant indulgence, like you said, and I love the Itty bitty because it is so comfortable. Rosemary and Company has been my biggest surprise in the past year, their designer line and their red Sable and red dot. All with different snaps. And like you I have so many that I forget to use but I am moving and have to pack and set up new studio space so it's going to be fun to set up easier accessibility for palettes and brushes. Great catch up video.

Love your recommendations, and the information on each brush

Thank you for your - always reliable - information 🙏

You and I agree 100% and that’s mainly because I learned from you and what you said turned out to be true. Thank you.

Your work is exquisite 💝

Your recommendations are always so helpful. I can trust your experience. Thanks!

Good information here. Thank you.

I love these art supplies videos... 💖💫💝✨ Thanks Steve

I really love your channel. I new to watercolor and didn't want to try it until I saw you. Thanks.

ty been giving my grand daughters sum of my favorite brushes n i have these all too. nice to c u have all of the ones i use the most n r ur favorites too.

Thanks... so very helpful.

Thank you so much, that was soooo helpful, you discribe the brushes brilliantly , wish i've seen this video earlier..going to watch the rest👍great help, and i love your channel, thx so much!!

I have been using the escoda perla in the #12 travel brush.. thanks for the review Steve!

Thank you for sharing 🙏 think I’m addicted to watercolor brushes & supplies 🥴

Thanks Steve! I like the Princeton Neptune, I have so many brushes ( some I've not used yet ). Great video.

This was amazing! I too have drawers and drawers full of brushes as I collect sets based on the medium I am currently 'on'. I see in my collection I have all that you mentioned (yeah, as I am playing with watercolor now and putting my oil aside for a bit) I lack the golden collection and you mentioned they are stiffer...they have been added to my wish list on Amazon...I cannot wait to use them! Very informative, thank you so much!

Thanks for the great review on brushes. I happen to have most of the ones you showed, and I love them all for various uses. I also bought a triangle brush which I'm not nuts over because the one I have is not solely for watercolor and because I still have to learn how to use it. I think there is one manufacturer that does make one specifically for watercolor although I can't recall the name. Anyways, thanks again for clearly explaining the various brushes. You have an excellent teaching style.

I'm adding this to my saved list!!! Thank you 😊 for sharing, Steve!!! Just read an Amazon review for Grum. Rigger #2 & they bought & loved it ... all because of MOW suggestion! God bless you! A California Gramma ♥️

I love my Escoda Versatil, it has a very sharp point.

Princeton heritage and velvetouch are my favorites. My kids bought me some small aqua elites, wow! They are wonderful. I was also given a no name set of 12 rounds. Excellent brushes and my go to for detail work.

I really enjoy using Cheap Joe’s Golden Fleece and his American Journey brushes. They are a very good but inexpensive golden taklon bristle. I especially love their “extra short” travel range. I use them all the time for plein air. They work better in my opinion than folding pocket brushes. I only wish Cheap Joe’s would come out with a smaller brush holder to match!

Thank you, Steve! I am stuck on my Princeton Neptune Flats and a Jackson's house brand Dagger right now. One day soon I would like to get into the Rigger and Rounds, but I always just run back to those Neptunes. I love a snappier brush too but my currents are all low end brand synthetic. I appreciate your reviews!

Thank you for sharing your wealth of information. It has been such an inspiration in exploring this beautiful but sometimes frustrating medium. I have many, almost most of the brushes you mentioned in this video. I find myself gravitating to the Silver Black Velvets because of the excellent points. I think the two most important sizes are still lingering in my Amazon basket, the #6 & 8 rounds. I did indulge in a Lebenzon small goat and synthetic blend brush after one of your demos. Hopefully one day I’ll make those beautiful marks with it. In the meantime I was happy to support an artisan brush maker.

Thanks for this great overview Steve! I have quite a few of these; my current fave for details is the Rosemary and Co Kolinsky sable round, #4. It is exquisite, the kind of brush that does the work for you, you just have to hold it 😊.

Nice collection of brushes! I just got my hands on the Da Vinci Colineo rounds (which are their new faux Kolinsky) and they’ve become my go-to due to the lovely sharp points! 😺

This was very helpful. When I got into watercolor, one of the better entry level brushes I saw recommended was the Princeton Neptune, so that's what I got. I've liked it fine, but lately I found myself idly wishing for a better point and more spring back. Not enough to start researching yet, but you gave me a head start - might check out the aqua elite next!

I totally agree with your brush selection. I have used or purchased most of the brushes you mention. My fave are also the Princeton Aqua Elite….I have purchased several Master Touch brushes from Hobby Lobby when they have them on sale and I agree that they are nice brushes. Thanks Steve! Love your videos❤️

Great video, thanks for revisiting brushes. Princeton Brushes are my most used right now. Takes some trial and error to find what works for you.

Thank you from Jerusalem for the update demo on which brushes to buy. I am reconnecting to the media of watercolour and follow hou since the 2019. Your demo's are very clear and informative. They give me personal alot of self confident to rebuilt my skil with this media. I already learned the hard way that the paper is indeed number one to start of with as a newcomer. No2. The brushes confused me a lot therefore this demo was right on . Thank you very much,for all your knowledge and experience you share with us. Tha t you my be blessed from Above with good health for you and your family.

I had purchased inexpensive watercolor brushes… I kept rubbing up/rolling bits of my heavy expensive paper, thinking it was normal. I finally bought a really expensive quality brush and the paper ripping/rolling bits quit, so quality brushes matter.

I like the Princeton Velvetouch series. I also use Silver Black Velvet and like those, as well as the Princeton Elite, and have used the Cosmotop Spin. There are a lot of good, cheap brushes out there.

As long as it doesn’t shed hairs and keeps it’s shape, it’s a good brush.

Thank you Steve, I’m ordering some of those Silver Golden Naturals, they look interesting for detail. My favorite brush ( other than a sable) is the Da Vinci cosmotop- mix B. This is slightly firmer than the Casaneo version. Both are good for loose effect and not a super pointed brush, I love a size 10. Great info on brushes, thanks again.

Thank you! 😊

I do enjoy my Silver brushes. Newly discovered Academy paper is perfect for me to use. My favorite paper is Kilimanjaro. But I live 2 miles away from a Cheap Joe’s art store.

Thanks! 🎉

Steve, absolutely love your pretty unbiased look at brushes, so very informative. I must admit though, I was convinced that you would end by going through the possible ranges of water fed brushes as you've used in your last few watercolour sketches? I certainly would appreciate some advice in that quarter, however, such a useful and informative video, regardless. With all sincere thoughts, Graham.

Thx Steve!

For people living on the west coast of Canada (Vancouver and the islands) I highly recommend Opus house brand for watercolour brushes - Galiano, amazing synthetic immitation. Also if you come across HJ brand brushes - they are very good too, Kazan Gold are my favourite for softer kind, especially their Filberts (ovals). Also HJ White Taklon brushes have surprized me with how good they are, they are now my go to when I want to use less water and need more control.

The brushes I find myself using most are Princeton Aqua Elite Long Round 8, and Escoda Perla round 8.

Thanks for sharing your favorites and those that have changed over time. I watched some of your earlier videos where you might have been trying out Etchr brushes and at the time, I believe your review was favorable. I bought the set from your Amazon store and must say they have good snap, decent water retention and the point stays sharp. I use them a lot. I also like the Sterling Edwards blending and glazing brushes you recently reviewed. So far I've only used the 1 inch as my paintings tend toward the smaller scale, but that one is great for sky washes! I have a number of the Creative Mark Mimik brushes from Jerry's Artarama. Some I like, but others as you noted are more rounded and don't retain as sharp a point. As M. D. Campbell commented, the best brush is the one you go to over and over. Sometimes you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find the princes!

Love 💕 your recommendations as always! I used the Princeton Neptune brush you highlighted here. I also the 2 inch Modler brush by Princeton Neptune. I am also still using my cheap 12 set of Dynamic Distraction brushes too. Although they are getting a bit ragged & I plan to make them into texture brushes/foliage/fan brushes. Thanks for sharing this wonderful informational update with us. I agree with you that brushes are a personal preference thing.

I was a Princeton Neptune brush girl. Agree about round tips not being so great. But am slowly switching to Silver black velvet.

Great overview of brushes. I have way too many brushes but tend to go to Princeton Neptune most often. One issue I have with one Princeton is stray bristles tend to separate from the rest despite that I take impeccable care of them.

Very helpful.

Hi, I've really enjoyed exploring the Silver Black Velvet brushes. I've only found one place that they are available here in Australia and that is the Sydney Art Store, but they are certainly affordable and for me, give a result that I'm happy with (unless I muck it up🤣). Maybe brushes are a bit like shoes??? You use what suits your style and what you can afford and what is comfortable for you. Thanks Steve, love your work!!! Leah

Thank you so much Steve, I have many of the brushes you have also, I am a big fan of the Princeton brushes, along with the Golden Natural. I also use Anna Mason's brushes on occasion they are nice brushes have you used them? I also ran across watching someone on KZfaq they were getting the most fantastic thin lines and I found out they were using a triangle aka wedge. Have you tried these brushes? I think they would work great for your fine lines. Thank you so much for your fantastic videos I have learned so much from you. Love it when you are on "Follow your Brush" learn so much. God bless and keep you.

I love the aqua elite too. I feel like it doesn’t get as much hype as black velvet but it’s really good.

I really like that Princeton Neptune round brush but like you said, I also find that it doesn’t go to a sharp enough point 😊

I have been really like using Princeton aqua elite .

Hello I agree, beginner I bought Winsor series 7, very difficult to control, I came back to Pinceton Aqua Elite and Neptune which are very good brushes, for simple papers or 100% cotton.

Hi Steve, always enjoy your tutorials and reviews. I am also using Princeton (Velvetouch & Elite). I have several others that I use on a regular basis, Escoda, and Winsor & Newton that are well over twenty years old and still in good shape. Proper brush care (the Masters Brush Cleaner/Preserver) and storage. Might be a good refresher subject as a follow-up to this review. Regards, Larry C.

Hi Steve, I was raised to believe that natural hair brushes are the best! With the new technology that synthetic brush hairs are made and assembled have made any use of natural hairs obsolete! My biggest problem with the Silver brushes is the use of natural hair and the ethical or non ethical collection of it! I have a couple of Kolinsky brushes that my Gran gave me before she passed, but I just keep them for sentimental reasons. I also have plenty of Aqua Elite brushes and the Velvet touch from Princeton are sweet too! I use the Mimik brushes as they are good with every medium just buy the best one they recommend. I use the faux hog hair Mimik’s for water soluble oils! They work so much better than real hog hair because of the water element in cleaning! Good review and I am glad that you have updated your list! Keep creating, painting, and sharing with us. Thank you.

I have been using Princeton Heritage brushes and like them pretty well. Recently bought Princeton Aqua Elite travel set - very nice! As I wear out the Heritage brushes (and I am trying) I think maybe I will replace with the Elites. As I paint though - only for a couple of years - it seems I want different sizes and characteristics.

I like your brushes. But I like mine, using the same ones for a few years. It was interesting to hear there is a lot of choice.

This was a great list. Before I got seriously back into watercolor 2 years ago I had tons of Articka and Transon brushes from Amazon and now I mostly use those for acrylic, mixing gouache, swatching paints and inks, and applying glue to things. My current "A-team" of watercolor/gouache brushes includes: - Silver Black Velvet rounds 0,4,6,8 - Silver Silk 88 dagger 3/4",1/2" and cat's tongue 4 - ProArte Prolene detailer 3/0 (recommended by Denise Soden, did not disappoint) and round 10 - Jackson's Raven quill 3/0 and 4 - the 4 looks comically large compared to the other brushes but it's perfect for initial washes - Princeton Neptune round 12 - Silver Scrubbers in oval 3/8", 1/2" and angle 1/4", 3/8" that I just picked up to replace the Royal & Langnickel Zen scrubber that my one cat decided was hers and proceeded to chew the bristles off of. I want to try the Princeton Aqua Elite brand but I'm not sure which size(s), as I think the current A-team is pretty comprehensive.

I tried the quite new daVinci Colineo line and really love it. Forms a razor sharp edge on the flats and has a nice spring on the riggers. (Haven't tried the rounds yet.) My new fav in the fake Kollinsky category.

Thanks for the tips Steve. I am especially interested in the details section. I find it difficult to find a good, and reliably so, needle point precise brush.

Thanks Steve

I have some older brushes from the nineties that are pretty good for watercolors. The painting club is mostly acrylic painters so I feel fortunate that there is a Hobby Lobby nearby. The Master's Touch can be found at prices that makes them replaceable if I get distracted and let one sit too long. We're a bunch of seniors who enjoy socializing almost as much as painting or having coffee and cookies, once in a while a brush is lost. My watercolor brushes on the other hand get much better treatment and are never loaned to a painter that forgot a brush. One of the dual purpose /multi-media brushes OK.

Interesting! I have not tried any of these brands because i live in Europe and they're not easy to find. My absolute favourite are Roman Szmal White Toray Quill brushes (general purpose) and their 911 series for details - these are like nothing else, its syntheting sharp point surrounded with short squirrel hair - holds the best point and a lot of water at the same time, great for tiny details and long sharp lines! RS quality to price ratio is just the best. From "fancy" brushes i love my flat W&N Synthetic Sable - theyre just so great, hold a lot of water, are very soft but hard enough i can use them with gouache as well! I own 3 W&N series 7 brushes, and honestly theyre really really nice but i never use them because of how expensive they were and i feel less guilty using the cheaper alternatives i've mentioned. My biggest regret is buing a set of travel Escoda Versatile brushes - they were SO expensive where i live, and they perform worse than any brush i used, hold very little water comparing to my other brushes.

I really like the brushes from Princeton. Aqua Elite has got to be my favorite series for watercolour. Buying a good brush can sometimes seem expensive, but if taken care of, it will last a long time. Thank you for sharing information, the video was very interesting.

My favourite brushes are the Rosemary & Co 402 Series.

i love Princeton.Neptun series, haven´t tryed the Aqua Elite, maby that´s my netx buy. I do really love da Vinci Casaneo 498 brushes more and more.

I keep grabbing various pure Kolinsky and #6 Chinese calligraphy without thinking much about it. Nice and juicy. I don’t have a huge collection of brushes.

Really helpful info to learn more about the differences between brands and hair types. Do you have any recommendations for gouache brushes??

I love the comparisons of musical instruments to painting implements. How would you grow if you didn't experience lesser quality materials.

Just got the Da Vinci Forte Extra Strong synthetic rigger in size 1 and it is extremely snappy! Also I agree about the Da Vinci Casaneo mop in size 2…that’s been a long time favorite

My favourite brushes are da Vinci, also some chinese brushes, and quite a few SAA brushes.

Thanks!

Paul Clark, from the UK, has a set of brushes I like as much as my Silver Black Velvet!!

Dear Steve, My silver black velvets, kept breaking hairs. I was left with small hairs broken in my work about 2-4mm long. I gave them up to a friend. A bad bunch of bad luck? Maybe. I found this also happened in a very huge and expensive mop quill with squirrel hair, the breakage was too much over everything at 172 AUD it was my worst brush. I like the Alina Bright quills for swatching, as I can quickly load a brush, and release pigment quicker in the jar of water. The handle is polished and the number 1 is a very lightweight brush, for swatching, energy to do a lot in one go. I have been enjoying Lindsay's Weirich's set by Craftamo. I need to road test the brushes I have, me thinks. I am not getting a sharp point like that. I think I get hold of one and keep it happily and firmly in my hand, by the time I do the foreground, too much water, and my detail is huge, is where I need more help for myself. Got to get used to swapping brushes to finer drier marks for the foreground, need to use the riggers I have, and learn to use smaller sizes. I also thank you for the video on the type of towel to soak up the big stuff. I think I like to use the serviettes but by the time I get to foregrounds, I have a soggy tissue. So, this could be my issue with a wet foreground, with still the same brush. I like to use excess pigment on paper as a quick abstract background, and reuse rags to glue into and start abstract pictures with in the linen Etchr sketchbook landscape A4. I really need to change this practice to include a large towel as you suggest. Another pro tip is I learnt from a fungi botanical painter, is to add water to the palette, then add the pigment to it, for detail is really dry. Constantly dipping a brush and wiping it, takes time away from work, and sometimes there is that little bead of water on the ferule that falls down the brush. I hit the heel of the brush on my serviette which is on the edge of my desk, keeping the point up, to lean on the back of it at an angle, to get the water and bead out of the body of the brush. I also think if I had a few things to work on, my foregrounds would improve. I think small brushes make me feel impatient, but will have to learn to take the advice you give, and get used to it! In kindred spirit, Eliza Most Beautiful Day is Today! 6th of March 2023 12:54am Dulwich Hill, Sydney Australia xx

WOW, quite a collection !! Which brush among the ones shown in the video, would you recommend for drawing and sketching with watercolors. Thanks

Crazy as it sounds I love my Cotman rigger.

Any brush suggestions for plein air?

Thoughts on water brushes. New to the art all I’ve been using am I missing out?

If I had to choose favorites, they'd be my Silver Brush Black Velvets, Silver Brush Golden Naturals, and my Escoda Reservas. The Simmons & Utrecht, (Blick's,) Princeton Neptune & Princeton Velvetouch brushes are what I started with. I also like the long round Princeton Elites, & I wasn't aware that they have a quill! I look forward to the day I can try a Rosemary brush. 💜 (In my case, I mostly utilize rounds, long pointed rounds, riggers and script liners, & quills/mops. I prefer softer brushes for blending and glazing, but I like using stiffer-haired brushes for detail work.)

Thank you! I believe I have most of the more commonly known ones you reviewed. What you said about the Velvet Silver brushes is exactly why I don’t like them most of the time. But I’ve been doing a small negative painting, and the sizes 6 and 8 actually are quite good, especially for glazing. There was one you mentioned that I would like to try, and you said the size 12 was much smaller than other size 12 brushes. I don’t think you listed it, and it’s one I’m not familiar with. Maybe I can speed up the video to find it again. And, I appreciate you sharing your collection. I’m sometimes embarrassed by the number of brushes I’ve accumulated!

Thank you for a great informative video! Sadly I have to say nothing beats a good Kolinsky sable..... so my desert island brush would be a Winsor and Newton Series 7, nr 2 (for my botanical watercolours) and at least a nr 7 ( for landscapes).. For gouache landscapes I have found I love the angular type of brush and there one does not have to invest in sable . My favourites there are first Raphael Precision and then a brand called Kolos ( they might be East european/ Ukranian?). Some very cheap but great flat brushes for gouache landscape painting are the Da Vinci Fit Synthetics. They are soft but have that level of firmness that is just enough for painting in gouache, another very cheap but excellent gouache brush is of an unknown brand, probable German as the text onthe handle says KINde Schule ( so a brush to use for kids in schol). I live in Sweden so perhaps the European brands are easier to find here, I have only found the American brands on internet shops and on Amazon and then they are very expensive. I also love the green glass handle Princeton Neptune, but that is very soft so only used in washes or glacing in watercolour. As it was expensive I dare not use it in a rough painting manner;-))!

I use silver black velvet a lot but I find I wish the tip was a bit more pointy. I use size 8 round and want to be able to do fine detail better sometimes. I guess the solution would be to switch to my size 4 or 6 but I just want the size 8 to do everything! The best brush I’ve ever tried and use carefully is my escoda reserva. It is a beautiful amazing brush!

@The Mind of Watercolor QUESTION: I was given a lot of unused wonderful watercolor brushes, BUT they were all very dusty. I've washed many several times, but still get dust particles on my paper while painting with them. I don't know if the original owner was a smoker either (which could b the cause of my problem). Any suggestion in getting these extra stray dust particles out of these brushes? Any Minders advice would b greatly appreciated too...

Da Vinci's travel brushes. They screw on & off so you don't have to mess with trying to tighten the fit or wonder if it will stay together. When will the brush drop either to the ground or on the paper? I've noticed a few less expensive travel brushes have now started using the screw on & off and I will probably try them. Have stopped using Rosemary & Co after getting a few travel brushes without the hole in the cap. Granted I had the holes drilled in but it's still a pain. As for the regular brushes, I think it's just a matter of getting use to the brush and what the capabilities are. For whatever reason, not everyone spends a lot of time learning what their new brush can do.

Best mop: Raphael 803 Best Kolinsky for fine continous detailed work plus yhe versatility of a rpund: Da Vinci Maestro series 35 Best inexpenaive Kolimsky: Talens Rembrandt series 100 (made in Germany) Best

Have you tried Princeton snap watercolor brushes? St. Louis art supply have them.

W&N Pro synthetic sable is my favourite and a few years ago I followed Mind of Watercolor's advice and bought two Silver black velvet brushes - they're so good I'm afraid to wear them out so I don't use them. I bought a few travel watercolor brushes from aliexpress that were so so cheap, and not bad.

Great advice. I’m a beginner water colorist 🤣

Great Video, Just out of interest what is the most common Flat brush size you use ? 1/4 and 3/4 flats , would you get 1 inch or stick with 3/4 as you dont need both ? As a beginner there are some sales on the flats on , so wanted to get the best sizes, can you advise ?

My Princeton neptunes did not have a good point and after little use the tips bend. I like the Princeton elite and other Princeton’s

My favourite are "Mops".

Thank you for this video. In another video you did a few years back regarding the lifting technique, you recommended the use of oil painting brushes because they are stiffer. However, no mention was made of the kind of brushes needed, and it seems there are a number from which to select. What should I look for: flat, filbert, bright? All I have are some Royal & Langnickell angles that are sort of “hand-me-downs,” and I don’t like them at all. Would you address this, please.