Best Watercolor Brush

Watercolor painting is a beautiful and versatile medium that requires the right tools for optimal results. One of the most important tools in any watercolor artist’s arsenal is the brush. With a plethora of options available, finding the best watercolor brush can be a daunting task. In this blog post, we will explore the qualities to look for in a watercolor brush and highlight some of the top choices in the market. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, finding the perfect brush is essential to enhance your watercolor painting experience. 

Let’s dive in and discover the best watercolor brushes that will take your artwork to the next level.

Quick Preview: Best Watercolor Brush

	Brustro Artists’ Natural Hair MOP Brush By Brustro	Check Price
	Winsor & Newton Cotman Short Handle Brush By Winsor & Newton	Check Price
	Transon Round Watercolor Paint Brush By Transon	Check Price
	Artegria Watercolor Brush By Artegria	Check Price
	da Vinci Red Sable Brush By da Vinci Brushes	Check Price
	Camel Paint Brush By Camelin Kokuyo	Check Price
	Faber-Castell Paint Brush By Faber-Castell	Check Price
	Rianz Painting Brush By Rianz	Check Price
	Artist’s Den Synthetic Hair Mix Brush By Artist’s Den	Check Price

Our Pick Of Best Watercolor Brush

Brand	Brustro
Product Dimensions	9.06 x 2.36 x 0.79 inches
Item Weight	0.882 ounces
Handle Material	Wood
Bristle  Material	Natural Animal Hair

The first on the list of the best watercolor brush is BRUSTRO Artists’ Natural Hair MOP Brush. It allows thin & thick strokes with effortless application on paper while coming back to a perfect point. These brushes are capable of holding a large volume of water which makes them excellent for MOP and wash techniques. 

The brush head has the right degree of firmness and flexibility and is suitable for everyone from home users to students and beginners. The short handle is made of fine-quality wood. These brushes are excellent for watercolours, gouache, illustration, animation, and rendering.

Brand	Winsor & Newton
Paint Type	Watercolor
Handle Type	Short Handle
Bristle Type	Synthetic
Product Dimensions	0.47 x 2.36 x 11.02 inches
Item Weight	1.12 ounces

The next on the list of the best watercolor brush is the Winsor & Newton Cotman Short Handle Brush. These brushes are pure synthetic watercolor brushes of the highest quality that have been created using the same skills, generated over many years, as those used in making the finest sable brushes.

The thicker fibers of these brushes contribute to the strength and spring of the brush and these fibers are soft enough to work with but have a good snap so they return back to their original shape with ease. The colour capacity of the brushes is up to 50% more than ordinary brushes.

Brand	Transon
Color	Champagne
Material	Animal Hair
Bristle Type	Natural Goat Hair
Paint Type	Acrylic watercolor gouache oil ink
Handle Type	Gourd Handle
Package Dimensions	10.9 x 3 x 0.3 inches
Item Weight	0.32 ounces

Transon Round Watercolor Paint Brushes are also suitable for acrylics, inks, and gouache. These brushes are great for detailing, washing, fills, and thin to thick lines. Transon brushes are made from goat hair and high-grade nylon. Natural goat hair has great liquid-holding ability. The soft and smooth blending with high-grade nylon gives you a perfect sable-like spring back and is able to hold its shape, which makes them more affordable than genuine Kolinsky and sable hair brushes.

Brand	Artegria
Color	Black; Silver
Paint Type	Watercolor; Gouache; Ink; Fluid Acrylics
Bristle Type	Synthetic
Package Dimensions	10.63 x 2.36 x 2.32 inches
Item Weight	7 ounces

The next on the list of the best watercolor brush is the Artegria Watercolor Brush. These brushes are ideal for painting with different types of water-based mediums such as watercolor, gouache, tempera, ink, and fluid acrylic. These paintbrushes work well on water coloring paper, sketchbook, or canvas to help create your masterpieces, including illustrations, landscapes, architectural sketching, silk painting, brush lettering, rock painting, etc.

The bristles of these brushes combine natural squirrel-like characteristics – high water and paint absorption with the springiness of synthetic filaments. This ensures perfect flow control for smooth precise brush strokes. Artegria Watercolor brushes are longer lasting, easier to clean and reshape, plus more affordable than natural squirrel brushes.

Brand	da Vinci Brushes
Color	Black
Material	Animal Hair
Paint Type	Watercolor
Handle Type	Round handle
Bristle Type	Sable
Product Dimensions	12 x 2 x 12 inches
Item Weight	0.64 ounces

The last on the list of the best watercolor brush is da Vinci Red Sable Brush. Using hair from select male Kolinsky red sable tails, da Vinci Maestro watercolor brushes hold a perfect point, possess plenty of elasticity, have a high capacity for holding color, and feature an expertly shaped tip with a snap. Kolinsky red sable hair grows long and strong, characteristics that lend it springiness and shape retention as well as an enormous ability to absorb color that is a must for fluid watercolor painting.

These brushes are hand-crafted from raw material to finished brush by skilled artisans at the da Vinci factory in Germany. All da Vinci brushes are tested individually to ensure the finest tips and reliable performance. Paintbrushes feature da Vinci’s patented ‘hexagonal handle’, which includes six imperceptible flattenings at the thickest part of the handle to prevent rolling and limit hand fatigue.

Our Pick Of Best Watercolor Brush in India

Brand ‎	Camel
Colour	‎Multicolour
Material ‎	Synthetic Hair, Wood
Paint Type ‎	Acrylic
Handle Type ‎	Rattail Handle
Bristle Type ‎	Synthetic
Item Weight	40 g
Item Dimensions LxWxH	23.8 x 15 x 10.8 Centimeters

The first on the list of the best watercolor brush is Camel Paint Brush Series 66. These brushes for watercolor, acrylic, oil, and other mediums suit different painting techniques and styles. The Camel paint brushes of different shapes are suitable for various artworks. These brushes are made up of synthetic gold hair with wooden handles. The nickel-plated ferrules provide a perfect balance while working. These brushes are suitable to use with water colours, acrylic colours, and even fabric colours.

Brand	‎Faber-Castell
Colour ‎	Navy Blue
Material ‎	Acrylic
Paint Type ‎	Poster, Tempera, Watercolour, Acrylic
Handle Type ‎	Rattail Handle
Bristle Type ‎	Synthetic
Shape	‎Round
Point Type ‎	Chisel
Item Weight	0.28 g
Item Dimensions LxWxH	45 x 75 x 65 Millimeters

The next on the list of the best watercolor brush is Faber-Castell Paint Brush. The bristles of these brushes are made of synthetic material having anti-rusting ferrules and wooden handles. The pony hair paint brush is suitable for watercolors. These brushes are great for detailing, washing, fills, and thin to thick lines. The Faber-Castell watercolor brushes also work fine with poster colors and acrylic colors. These watercolor brushes are longer lasting, and easier to clean, and reshape.

Brand ‎	RIANZ
Colour ‎	Black
Material	‎Wood
Paint Type ‎	Oil, Watercolour, Gouache, Acrylic
Handle Type	‎Rattail Handle
Bristle Type ‎	Synthetic
Item Weight	45.4 g
Item Dimensions LxWxH	22 x 11 x 1 Centimeters

The Rianz Painting Brushes set has a full range of paint brush sizes and shapes with a razor-sharp tip capable of complementing any palette. These soft and flexible brushes come with double-crimped aluminium ferrules to ensure no wiggling.  The durable wooden handle of these brushes gives optimal control/ grip and great hand feeling.

These paintbrushes are ideal for watercolor, oil, acrylic painting, miniature painting, and also ceramic painting. This fantastic set of paint brushes is perfect for any level of artist, from beginners to professionals or painting types. Whether you are looking for hobby paint brushes, kids paint brushes or pro paint brushes, this artist brush set will appeal to you.

Brand ‎	Artist’s Den
Colour	‎Multicolour
Material	‎Wood
Paint Type	‎Oil, Watercolour, Acrylic
Handle Type	‎Wood Handle
Bristle Type ‎	Synthetic
Item Weight	45.4 g
Item Dimensions LxWxH	25 x 12 x 1 Centimeters

The last on the list of the best watercolor brush is Artist’s Den Synthetic Hair Mix Brush. The bristles of these brushes are made of super smooth synthetic hair that gives your artwork a perfect finish. Its naturally balanced solid wooden handles for comfort and ease of movement.

Artist’s Den Synthetic Hair Mix brushes are multi-medium brushes that are perfect for water, acrylic, oil paints, face painting, and model work and can be used by all artists levels. These brushes come in reusable packaging to keep your brushes safe after use. The high-quality constructed seamless anodized aluminum ferrules keep bristles in place and synthetic bristles make cleaning a breeze.

What is an MOP Brush?

An MOP brush, often referred to as a mop brush or simply a mop, is a type of paintbrush used in various art and painting techniques. Mop brushes are characterized by their soft, full, and rounded shape, which resembles a mop or a fluffy cloud. They typically have a large number of fine bristles that come to a point at the tip.

MOP brushes are primarily used for applying washes, blending colors, and creating soft, diffuse edges in watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting. Their soft bristles can hold a significant amount of paint or water, allowing artists to cover large areas with even, smooth strokes. This makes them particularly useful for techniques like wet-on-wet painting, where colors are applied to a wet surface to create soft transitions and gradients.

Artists often choose MOP brushes for their versatility in achieving various painterly effects. They are especially favored in watercolor painting for their ability to create smooth washes and soft, flowing lines. Mop brushes come in different sizes, with larger ones being suitable for covering larger areas and smaller ones for finer details.

In short, an MOP brush, or mop brush, is a type of paintbrush with a soft, rounded shape and is commonly used for applying washes, blending colors, and creating soft edges in various painting techniques, particularly in watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting.

Bristle Type in Watercolor Brushes

Watercolor brushes come in various bristle types, each offering distinct characteristics that cater to different painting styles and techniques. The choice of bristle type can significantly impact the texture, control, and overall look of your watercolor painting. Here are some common bristle types used in watercolor brushes:

• Sable Brushes: Sable brushes are known for their excellent water-holding capacity and fine, soft bristles. They are often made from the fur of the kolinsky sable, a type of weasel found in Siberia. Sable brushes are prized by many watercolor artists for their ability to create precise lines and fine details. They are particularly useful for delicate washes and intricate work.
• Squirrel Brushes: Squirrel hair brushes have even softer bristles than sable brushes and are excellent at holding a large amount of water or paint. They are favored for creating broad washes and soft, blended backgrounds in watercolor painting. Squirrel brushes can lack the precision of sable brushes but excel in producing smooth, flowing strokes.
• Synthetic Brushes: Synthetic watercolor brushes are made from man-made materials such as nylon or taklon. They come in various shapes and sizes and are often more affordable than natural hair brushes. Modern synthetic brushes are designed to mimic the performance of natural hair brushes, offering good water retention and flexibility. They are a suitable choice for artists looking for cruelty-free options or who want a more affordable brush.
• Mixed or Blended Brushes: Some watercolor brushes feature a blend of natural and synthetic bristles. These brushes attempt to combine the benefits of both types, offering good water-holding capacity from natural bristles and durability from synthetic bristles. They can be a cost-effective alternative to pure sable or squirrel brushes.
• Kolinsky Sable Brushes: Kolinsky Sable brushes are among the most coveted and expensive watercolor brushes. They are made from the finest quality sable hair and are renowned for their ability to hold a precise point and deliver consistent flow. These brushes are typically used by professional watercolor artists for intricate and detailed work.
• Hog or Bristle Brushes: While hog or bristle brushes are more commonly associated with oil and acrylic painting, they can be used in watercolor for specific techniques. Their stiff bristles can create textured marks and are suitable for dry brush techniques or when you want to lift or scrub paint from the paper.

Best Watercolor Brush Brands

The best watercolor brush brand can be subjective and may vary depending on an artist’s preferences and needs. However, there are several well-respected and popular brands known for producing high-quality watercolor brushes that are favored by artists around the world. Here are some of the top watercolor brush brands:

• ARTEGRIA: ARTEGRIA brushes are ideal for water-based mediums such as watercolor, gouache, tempera, ink, fluid acrylic, these paintbrushes work well on water coloring paper, sketchbook, and canvas, including illustrations, landscapes, architectural sketching, silk painting, brush lettering, rock painting, etc.
• Brustro: Brustro is a brand known for producing art supplies, including brushes. Brustro offers a range of art materials, including brushes, paper, paints, sketchbooks, and other art supplies. They aim to provide artists with affordable yet high-quality tools to support their creative endeavors. Their brush collection includes various types of brushes, such as watercolor brushes, acrylic brushes, oil brushes, and more. These brushes come in different shapes, sizes, and bristle types to cater to different painting techniques and preferences.
• Da Vinci: Da Vinci is a German brand known for its fine brushes, including both natural hair and synthetic options. They offer a wide selection of watercolor brushes suitable for various techniques and preferences.
• Transon: Transon is a brand that offers a range of art supplies, including watercolor brushes. Transon is known for providing affordable and accessible art materials for artists of various skill levels. Transon watercolor brushes are often appreciated by artists who are looking for budget-friendly options without compromising too much on quality. They offer an economical choice for artists, students, and beginners.
• Winsor & Newton: Winsor & Newton is a renowned brand in the art world, and they produce a wide range of watercolor brushes, including the popular Series 7 Kolinsky Sable brushes known for their precision and quality.

Best Watercolor Brush Brands in India

Several watercolor brush brands are known for producing quality brushes in India. These brands offer a range of brushes suitable for different painting techniques and preferences. Here are some of the best watercolor brush brands in India:

• Artist’s Den: Artist’s Den Brushes for Acrylic, Watercolour, Gouache & Oil Painting BRISTLES – Super smooth synthetic hair that gives your artwork a perfect finish. WOODEN HANDLES – Naturally balanced solid wooden handles for comfort and ease of movement.
• Camel (Kokuyo Camlin): Kokuyo Camlin, often referred to simply as Camlin, is one of the most well-known and widely available art supply brands in India. They offer a range of watercolor brushes suitable for artists of all levels, including beginners.
• Faber-Castell: Faber-Castell is a globally recognized brand that produces art supplies, including brushes. They have a presence in India and offer a variety of brushes suitable for watercolor painting.
• Rainz: Rainz is another well-known Indian brand that primarily produces art supplies for children and beginners. They also offer a range of watercolor products, including watercolor paints and brushes. These products are generally designed for young artists and students and are intended to be safe, washable, and easy to use.

FAQs

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing the best watercolor brush, it is essential to consider the bristle type, shape, and size. Synthetic brushes are a cost-effective option, while natural hair brushes offer superior performance. Round and pointed brushes are versatile for detailed work, while flat brushes are ideal for covering larger areas. Additionally, the size of the brush should be determined by the scale of your artwork. By understanding these factors choose the best watercolor brush from our thoughtfully curated list that suits their artistic needs. Remember to care for your brushes properly to prolong their lifespan.