Talking About Paintbrushes: Silver Black Velvet, Princeton Neptune, Aqua Elite, Snap, Escoda etc.

Рет қаралды 7,308

9 ай бұрын

My thoughts on the paintbrushes I own.
I use them with watercolour in this video, so you can see how various kinds of brushes get on with it.
These are my favourites:
Princeton Neptune brush set:
amzn.to/47wtnAO
Princeton Neptune Brush Set:
amzn.to/3Z0Tw7b
Rosemary & Co 402 Series brushes:
www.rosemaryandco.com/series-...
Paintbrush organiser:
amzn.to/406aDUw
Princeton Aqua Elite set of 4:
amzn.to/3l7WRlw
Silver Black Velvet 6 Travel Brush:
amzn.to/42dgh92
Escoda 6 Brush set:
amzn.to/3yzOW3c
Escoda Ultimo 10 Travel Brush:
amzn.to/3Flg0Hk
Silver Black Velvet 12:
amzn.to/3LsqpEa
Silver Black Velvet 8:
amzn.to/3EHrqo8
Silver Black Velvet 4:
amzn.to/3rmsUBd
Princeton Snap 12:
amzn.to/3RroYtF
Prolene Pro Arte 0:
amzn.to/46e9InY
__________________________________________________
LINKS
INSTAGRAM: helen_cryer_art
/ helen_cryer_art
(As an Amazon & Jackson's Art Associate, I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases, which doesn't affect the price for you. I'm very grateful when you purchase anything via my links, thank you!)

Пікірлер: 117

@davidchapman2213 Ай бұрын

It’s already been said; but , it’s worth repeating. This is THE best video review in regards to snap and thirstiness of watercolor brushes on KZfaq. I’ve watch tons of videos over the past week to differentiate between brush manufacturers; not to mention differing series within each manufacturer. It’s like trying to pick a streaming series to watch. In the end, you just give up. Explanation can only get you so far. The graph was genius. If only you had all the brushes to compare and make one definitive graph for everybody to use. Maybe we should start sending you brushes to compare. It would be a win/win, right? Thanks so much!

@helencryer Ай бұрын

That's very kind of you to say so, thank you!

@reand.6223 2 ай бұрын

This is THE BEST explanation of brushes I’ve ever seen! Thank you for your time and educating us about brushes.

@helencryer 2 ай бұрын

That's very kind of you, thank you!

@CHRISTINADOSREIS Ай бұрын

I really enjoyed all the details you gave us about brushes. I am new to watercolor, and your explanations on the various brushes and brands really helped.

@helencryer Ай бұрын

I'm so glad, thanks!

@ashleyhawkeswatercolor 9 ай бұрын

I also have most of those and my favorite are the Silver Black Velvet. They are just delightful to use. ❤

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Yep, they're hard to beat!

@giespel68 9 ай бұрын

Nice video Helen:) thank you Silver black brush is my favourite. Princeton aqua elite is my more or less all rounder.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Thanks! Yes, I guess sitting in the middle of the chart, the Aqua Elite is best at covering all the bases, and the Black Velvets are just joys!

@jude6752 9 ай бұрын

Thanks Helen, so helpful for me! So pleased there are so many non animal choices amongst your collection

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Thanks! I'll gradually phase them out.

@lora9664 9 ай бұрын

This was a very useful video. Thank you. The charting was excellent.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

I'm glad! Thank you!

@kfrost6036 9 ай бұрын

Thanks Helen, I found this very helpful, especially your graph.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

I'm really glad, thank you!

@chels2145 9 ай бұрын

Helen, thank you for your videos! I enjoy watching all your uploads.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

That's lovely of you - thank you!

@user-zi8qi9ip2g 2 ай бұрын

Great way to do interesting brush comparisons. Thank you for sharing.😊

@helencryer 2 ай бұрын

Thank you!!

@niafer9444 9 ай бұрын

A little of The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver will bring that Aqua Elite brush back to life 16:48. I get mine from Ken Bromley and create a lather of the soap on the palm of my hand and run the brush around on my palm for a while. Smells nice too.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Thanks ever so much for the tip!

@janemcgrath9615 9 ай бұрын

Thank you Helen,as a newbie to watercolours this has really helped me with my choice and quality of brushes I’ll be buying 😊

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

I'm really glad! Obviously it's not comprehensive, so I'm sure there are plenty of other good brushes out there too!

@PepeLePewQTPie 8 ай бұрын

which did you decide to buy?

@LorrieMello 9 ай бұрын

I’m going for the Princeton Neptune series! Thanks for doing this - very informative. ❤

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Hope you enjoy them! Thanks!

@zoewhite7705 8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! This is the MOST helpful video I've watched on brushes, and the only one that explained about the properties of softness and snap and the relationship between the two. Your graph was inspired.

@helencryer 7 ай бұрын

I'm really glad, thank you!

@Lauraisabelgonzalezart 9 ай бұрын

Thank You for keeping me company as I draw my Fall Gnomes!!! I just enjoy your talking and explanations about all that you share.... Saludos from MA!

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Haha - love this - thanks!!

@ericakauffman5786 9 ай бұрын

Great overview. Of course it always makes a difference if you paint loose or detailed. I started loose and loved the SNAPs for that. Now, I paint very realistic and need a lot of control.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Yes, definitely!

@sonyaoart 9 ай бұрын

Thanks Helen, this is super useful!

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@artmix700 9 ай бұрын

I enjoyed this, really interesting and informative. I have various brushes from Rosemary & Co, Tintoretto and Jackson's Silverline range but more recently i have mainly been using my sets of Silver Black Velvet and Betty Hayways brushes. I did treat myself to some Princeton Neptune brushes and a couple of Escoda Ultimo travel brushes after watching a few of your previous videos and I'm really enjoying those❤️ I also like the look of the Snap brush.........another item for my wish list, lol🙈 Thank you for sharing🙏🏼

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

That sounds like a lovely bunch of brushes! I'm glad you like the Ultimo and Neptunes! Thanks!

@dneel468 9 ай бұрын

Well done video! Very helpful. Thank you.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@awatercolourist 9 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for making this video! I’m only 10 mins into the video, but I can see that it will be very practical. The chart you’ve made is particularly useful: I agree with you that it is difficult to describe a brush without having others feel it, so the chart really helps me understand the differences between the brushes.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Thanks ever so much! What brushes do you like?

@awatercolourist 9 ай бұрын

@@helencryer Softer brushes. I like sable and synthetic squirrel. But I also use squirrel and goat occasionally. Escoda’s Versatil is not bad but I feel that it’s ever so slightly scratchy on the paper.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

That's interesting, thanks

@lizhart81 9 ай бұрын

This is so helpful, thank you! I've been getting into watercolours over the past couple of years. Recently I've begun adding to my brush collection with some better quality brushes to bulk out my collection of reliable workhorse Daler-Rowney Graduate brushes that I use for anything and everything. So far, I've picked up a couple of proarte prolenes, which I really enjoy. I can see this being a very useful resource to refer back to.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Thanks ever so much! Not come across the Daler-Rowney Graduates before!

@Samantha_tookey197 9 ай бұрын

Thank you, this was a really helpful video, I have a set of Betty Hayways brushes on order, I should get them by the end of the month. But I’m also saving for the Princeton Neptune set you showed us. It’s a minefield with there being so many brushes but you’ve definitely helped make the choosing a bit easier x

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy them!

@PaulaScardamalia 9 ай бұрын

Thank you for all this. Very interesting. I have a #14 Escoda Prado and I love it for the medium snap and holding water ability. I have a bunch of Aqua Elites that I also use a lot. And Princeton's Velvet Touch are nice as well. No Neptunes.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Haven't tried the Velvet Touches yet!

@cathyearn 4 ай бұрын

I love your review, help me a lot 😊 thank you

@helencryer 4 ай бұрын

That's great to hear - thank you!

@inlesinlet 3 ай бұрын

Thank you, this is super helpful! Especially the graph. I've been using the same 3 brushes for *six years* now! Silver Black Velvet 8 round and 1 script, as well as a Winsor & Newton Petit Gris Pur 1 (squirrel mop/quill). I've been wanting to try some new brushes for a while now, especially square ones, but I've been so overwhelmed by all of the options! Especially since I don't have an art store available where I can look at the brushes in person. After watching this, I feel a lot more clarity around which brushes I want to get :D

@helencryer 2 ай бұрын

I'm really glad - thanks!

@user-fp4rk2bj8r 9 ай бұрын

Super helpful video, thank you - I found the chart you made really useful at pointing me which brushes I might be buying next month. I have a couple of the black velvets and a couple of the neptunes and love them all but I'm going to try either the Princeton aqua elite or velvet touch next I think as I'd like to see what a little less softness would do for me. I have lots of hake brushes at work but I use them for either wetting paper or applying very watery paste, not at all for painting. Exploring brushes for painting rather than applying adhesives is MUCH more fun. 🙂

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Haha, yes, I vote for the painting! I'd like to hear how you get on with the Velvet Touches, as I've not used them before.

@niafer9444 9 ай бұрын

Thank you for another great video. FWIW I love and use pro art prolene plus 007 and Princeton Aqua Elite for mixing, swatching and testing. Rosemary and Co Series 33 and Isabey 6227z for painting. I know many look down on using sable, but there really is nothing like it. Also, they now say that synthetic brush hair finds its way into the food chain ... so. Who knows.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Thanks ever so much! It's really interesting to hear what people use! I haven't come across the Isabeys yet.

@FaithAnnNB 9 ай бұрын

Ohhhh… brushes ❤❤❤. Love this topic… great video! Really nice comparison chart! We have a few overlapping brushes. I have some Princeton Neptune and Aqua Elite. I like them for first washes, but I tend to prefer brushes that aren’t as soft and have more “snap” after that layer. My favourites are Escoda Prado, Princeton Heritage and Princeton Velvetouch. I find all 3 to be quite similar; they don’t hold as much water and are much firmer, but I like brush control more than the volume of water it holds. I also have a few Isobey brushes that I purchased before realizing they weren’t synthetic. I find that I don’t use them very often because I feel guilty. My local art store carries “Simply Simmons” brushes as a low-cost student option and I find they’re quite good for acrylic or gouache, but I don’t really like them for watercolour. I have had poor luck with Royal & Lang and Cotman brushes because stray bristles drive me bonkers 😅. That’s my brush history in a nutshell 😂,

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing it! Quite a few people have mentioned the Velvet touch brushes. I don't think they are as available over here though. It's such a fun subject!

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

I lied! I just found them in Jackson's Art!

@annejameson3425 9 ай бұрын

Very helpful. Thank you

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@Mirrigold 9 ай бұрын

Excellent video Helen, I'm a huge fan of Silver Black Velvet brushes and I've got a nice set of those, but these days I find myself gravitating much more to my Princeton brushes, both the full set of Neptune and the Aqua Elite brushes. I've also recently grabbed a few Da Vinci Cosmotop-Spin pointed mop brushes and they're fabulous. I do have a load of Jackson's own brand Icon and Silverline brushes and they're great for beginners and very affordable.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Thanks! More names for me to keep an eye out for in future - thank you!

@colleenmcchesney1482 9 ай бұрын

Definitely a great help with figuring out what kind of brushes to get. I have both 4-brush sets of the Princeton Neptune & Princeton Aqua Elite brushes. I really enjoy both of these. I do need to get a snappier set of brushes for my gouache paint. I have yet to try any of the travel brushes which will be my next set of brushes.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

I need to do some more gouache and try it with some of my newer brushes. Let me know if you find good ones!

@colleenmcchesney1482 9 ай бұрын

@@helencryer I have been thinking 🤔 about getting a set of Sarah Burns’s brushes (she has a gouache KZfaq channel).

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

I'd be interested to know what you think, if you get them!

@SN-sz7kw 8 ай бұрын

I have a crazy big stash of good brushes - the result of the old “I really don’t need anything & shouldn’t spend much, maybe I’ll just pick up an interesting brush…” 🙄 I really need to do this with all of them. It will help me refine my use & future unnecessary purchases. 😂

@helencryer 8 ай бұрын

Haha! I know that feeling with watercolours! I'm working through swatching them all at the moment, and realising I probably don't need more!

@carolinegravel9954 9 ай бұрын

Merci beaucoup pour ton partage. Je ne connais pas grand chose aux pinceaux mais je veux apprendre pour faire de l’aquarelle. Ton vidéo m’est très utile❤

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Merci beaucoup! Bon chance!

@esmeKemp7407 5 ай бұрын

Really useful thank you

@helencryer 5 ай бұрын

Great! Thanks!

@halfpiint 8 ай бұрын

Thank you Helen for this useful review. Terribly disappointed in all the Black Silver Velvet brushes (4)! Everyone loses hair while painting and each one looks like they got a bad shag haircut! Maybe it was a bad batch. To make matters worst, their customer service was non existent. Sent several emails expressing concern and for advice but, they all went unanswered. Having said that I’m now absolutely delighted with the Princeton Aqua Elite. Each one holds a lot of water and keeps its point! Doesn’t get better than that ❤

@helencryer 8 ай бұрын

That's such a shame, I'm sorry to hear about your experience!! I've had my Black Velvets for quite a few years now, and they've never shed at all. I do love the Aqua Elites too!

@halfpiint 8 ай бұрын

@@helencryer Life is not perfect so I understand if my brushes came from a rare bad batch. I was more disappointed at being completely ignored and realizing they just didn’t care. Anyways, glad to hear you love the Aqua Elites too. That was my rainbow.🤣❤️🤣

@E4Alabbasy 9 ай бұрын

One neptune brush has been added to my cart, and I might get more 😅 I use my hake brush for wetting the whole page, because I like to apply a very diluted layer of paint before starting painting 👌🏼

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

I like that idea! Hope you love the brush!

@Winstonsmom 9 ай бұрын

Thanks. This was a very nice summary. After a lot of experimenting, I have come to the conclusion that the silver black velvet is my go-to. I love the softness of the tip and the fine lines you can get. But it really depends what you are using it for. I’ve been watching Fabio Cembenelli (sp) doing his florals and he swears by stiff flats for lifting. So I’m on the look out for the perfect stiff flat… The perlas look nice too and lots of good reviews but I can’t stand white bristles… they always look dirty.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

I think a lot of people agree with you on that! I do love mine. That's so funny about the white bristles!

@susanavenir 9 ай бұрын

That chart is brilliant - as was the bowl of Hooker's to make testing more uniform. Will go and do likewise first chance I get.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

It's definitely a fun exercise to get to know your brushes better!

@savantbleu0250 9 ай бұрын

I love your fountain pen! It's so sleek and pretty! I have a hunch on whats the brand but is that a LAMY?

@niafer9444 9 ай бұрын

Looks like a Lamy Safari Charcoal with medium nib to me. I have a couple of them with fine nibs, z24 converters and filled with Platinum Carbon ink. Great everyday pens.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Yep, absolutely spot on! I get on better with Medium nibs - love the flow on them.

@MBfan146 7 ай бұрын

Thanks Helen for a most informative video, I found it answered a lot of my novice questions. I do have a question about the paper you used, does it allow to used both sides as it seemed to show up sizing issues? Ie what paper was it? Cheers Clive

@helencryer 7 ай бұрын

Thanks! I used the back of Canson XL Watercolour paper, and no, it's not double sided paper. It's just what I had to hand, and hopefully still helpful as a comparative exercise.

@cccsssish 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comparison. It's worth noting that Silver Black Velvet is squirrel blend.

@helencryer 6 ай бұрын

Thank you, yes, that is mentioned in the video.

@KerryAA7130 9 ай бұрын

Hi Helen , have you ordered any of the new Roman szmal paints yet ? . I have the silver black velvet brushes in 14 & 12 and the Princeton aqua elite in 10 - 8 , my best paint brushes so far but I’m unable to purchase the Princeton snaps , they must be very popular.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

No, I had a look at them, and decided I didn't need any of them (I know! Shocking!!) Lovely brushes! I bought the Snap on Amazon UK, but it shipped from the US.

@valeriegehling4358 9 ай бұрын

Helpful video which flat tip escoda ( the one you quite like ), is it? Asking as it wasn’t listed, or I cofind it only the escoda set. I also find myself returning to the same brushes but, as mine have been dis continued will perhaps need to replace them, then I’ll return to your chart. Thanks

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

It came in the Escoda set, and all it says on the brush is Escoda Prado Sintetico 2. It's hard to tell what a larger brush in the same range would be like, because when they're really small, you haven't got a lot of info on what the bristles are really like. The little one is nice though!

@valeriegehling4358 9 ай бұрын

@@helencryer Glad you knew which one I meant. Thanks for the information.

@teekierudite5108 9 ай бұрын

The Rosemary and Co. brushes (around 15:00) that you mentioned are Acrylic Tipped brushes, are the bristles acrylic or are they meant for acrylic paint? They look like brushes I would use for acrylic paint (and maybe even oils). I always called my brushes for acrylic paint, synthetic fiber brushes hehe. Also, you mentioned gouache paints; do you prefer the soft bristles or stiffer bristles for gouache paints? I always thought gouache was just an opaque watercolor paint. I really liked that first Hog Bristle brush for acrylic paint, the scruffyness would be perfect for dry brushing textures onto a watercolor painting (like rock, grasses, ocean, etc).

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Hi! Sorry I didn't make it very clear! The Rosemary & Co Ivory ones are synthetic bristle, and are meant for acrylics (and oils). I end up calling my stiffer synthetic brushes 'acrylics' and I'm not totally sure why - I don't like to call them synthetics, because the Princeton Neptunes and Aqua Elites, Escodas etc are synthetic too, so I suppose I'm trying to distinguish them. I use my gouache pretty thick usually, so prefer a stiffer brush to control them.

@awatercolourist 9 ай бұрын

How does the Ultimo compare to the Tintoretto 1337 synthetic squirrel? Which one’s softer and which one is more snappy?

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

They're pretty similar, but I think the Tintoretto is slightly softer.

@awatercolourist 9 ай бұрын

@@helencryer Thanks! They are both on my wishlist.

@martinanelsonartandpsychol6478 9 ай бұрын

Would love the sable mix for R&Co, but for the shipping to Europe there are so many extra fees…😢

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

😢

@Georgeolddrones 2 ай бұрын

Alright, in the silver brushes if you’ve got the money 😂🇬🇧👍

@helencryer 2 ай бұрын

Yes, they aren't cheap.

@mirandaschneck8451 9 ай бұрын

What is that pen you are using?

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Hi! It's a Lamy Safari, with a converter inside, and Platinum Carbon ink. With medium nib.

@awatercolourist 9 ай бұрын

34:36 You could’ve just bought the 1327 series, it has a blunter tip.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Well I didn't buy it as such though - it just came with the paints I bought.

@awatercolourist 9 ай бұрын

28:27 That is one STIFF and ragged brush! Good for texture, I assume.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

I love it for acrylics, but I've probably not looked after it properly!

@awatercolourist 9 ай бұрын

@@helencryer Try to stipple watercolour texture with it. Just dip the tip only in a shallow puddle of thick paint or tube paint then use it to stipple texture. You’ll have to try several times before you get something that you like.

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

Thanks - I'll try it!

@awatercolourist 9 ай бұрын

First!

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

And quite possibly last! 🤣

@awatercolourist 9 ай бұрын

😂 There are other comments!

@helencryer 9 ай бұрын

@@awatercolourist Fair enough... there weren't at the time!

@awatercolourist 9 ай бұрын

@@helencryer That point managed to escape me 😄