Watercolor Tips Ep. #2: If I Could Only Have 5 Watercolor Brushes (Patreon)

Welcome to the second episode of "Tuesday Tips," where I share my thoughts on popular watercolor questions & challenges. Today, I’m diving into watercolor brushes and answering a simple question: If I could only have a limited set, which ones would I choose to keep forever?

I often get asked about the best watercolor brushes, my favorite brushes, and the best brushes for both beginners and advanced techniques. My general philosophy is that brushes are a convenience tool that should be the last thing you splurge on, and here’s why. Watercolor paper undeniably makes the biggest difference in the quality of your work. The quality of your paints also matters, but you can save by investing in quality primary triads (red/blue/yellow) or beginner sets from reputable brands and expanding your palette gradually (more on that in the next episode). Brushes can be trickier because there are so many brands and bristle types to choose from. Additionally, watercolor brushes come in various shapes and sizes, each designed for specific purposes, allowing you to create a wide range of effects. While some of these are fun to experiment with, the reality is you only need a few “classic” shapes to create complex paintings with watercolor.

Which Brand to Choose?

My approach to choosing a specific brand is simple: I stick with reputable brands that have been on the market for a long time and can invest in proper quality control. Although many new names pop up online and in local art stores, I’ve had negative experiences related to quality and customer service, and I no longer feel the need to experiment or deviate from tried and tested manufacturers (admittedly I might be overly conservative when it comes to my approach here). Brands like Winsor & Newton and Escoda* never disappoint. Although the choices are quite limited here in Canada, I’ve also had great experiences with Isabey and Raphael brushes. I’m curious to hear about your recommendations!

Which Size to Choose?

This depends entirely on your style and the size of your canvas. The larger the paper, the larger the brush should be to ensure appropriate water load and coverage (sizes #04-320). If you prefer highly detailed work, like the majority of compositions we do together here on Patreon, the smaller and more precise the tip of your brush should be (sizes #00-#08). If you prefer a loose style, flat, mop, and round brushes in larger sizes are your best bet.

Natural vs. Synthetic

After deciding on shape and size, one of the most important decisions is whether to opt for natural or synthetic bristles. I rely heavily on blends, specifically Escoda Chronos, which is 90% synthetic (helping me save money) but 10% sable (which helps with water load issues). Both types offer unique characteristics and advantages:

Natural BrushesAdvantages:

Precision: Natural brushes, especially in larger sizes, tend to hold a finer point, allowing for more precise details.

Superior Water Retention: The release of pigment is generally smooth and controlled, contributing to precise edges.

Softness & Flexibility: Squirrel hair, in particular, is ideal for delicate glazes.

Disadvantages:

Availability & Cost: Natural bristles can be expensive and hard to find.

Ethical Concerns: Related to the harvesting of animal hair.

Durability: Natural brushes are generally less durable compared to synthetics.

Synthetic BrushesAdvantages:

Cost, Cruelty-free, Durability, Availability

Disadvantages:

Overall Quality: There is a high degree of variation in the quality of synthetic brushes on the market.

Water Retention & Release: Even the most expensive synthetic brushes provide less control over water load and release.

Limited Softness: Less soft compared to natural bristles.

My Favorite Brushes (see picture)

My go-to brush shapes include a variety of round and flat brushes in smaller sizes that best fit my precise style and relatively small paper size. Traditional rounds—with a pointed tip and full “belly”—handle the majority of my painting needs. If I could only have five brushes, I would choose the following:

Classic Round: A classic round brush in size #4 does most of the heavy lifting in my work. I prefer natural or partially natural bristles in this size as they provide precision while holding enough water for larger washes. My favorite: Escoda Reserva Sable Round #3 or #4.

Precision Round: A round brush in size double zero is always handy for creating fine outlines in the final layer. I find that synthetic bristles work best for detailed work, especially bird feathers and leaf outlines. My favorite: Escoda Chronos 90% synthetic Round in size #1.

Flat: Occasionally, I use a flat brush for lifting techniques. My favorite: Escoda Chronos Flat in size 1/2.

Rigger: Rigger brushes allow me to paint continuous sweeping strokes while reducing potential wobbliness due to hand shaking. These brushes are particularly useful for painting human hair, animal fur, or intricate petal veins in flowers. My favorite: Escoda Chronos synthetic rigger in size #2.

Flat Wash: An extra-large flat brush is a recent addition to my collection. It’s ideal for covering large areas of paper quickly and efficiently, making background washes more even. My favorite: Escoda Ultimo synthetic flat in size #18.

Tips for Choosing the Right Brush for You

Consider the type of work you primarily engage in. Synthetics generally work best for wet-on-dry techniques and finer details, while natural bristles shine in loose wet-on-wet applications and large washes.

Evaluate your budget and how frequently you plan to use the brushes. Synthetic brushes are generally more affordable, easier to find, and fun to experiment with.

Look for well-established brands with good quality control, or at least consider reviews before investing in a new brand.

Don’t forget to factor in personal preferences regarding ethical considerations.

Ultimately, the choice of brushes comes down to personal preference, artistic style, and individual priorities. In my experience, the advantages of natural brushes, particularly in water release and absorption, tend to diminish as you gain more experience with the watercolor medium. You can achieve good results regardless of the bristles you choose, as illustrated in a YouTube experiment: The bullfinch on the left was painted using a Kolinsky sable Escoda Reserve brush, while the one on the right was painted using a synthetic Escoda Versatil in the same size. While the natural sable provided a smoother and more consistent flow of paint, the overall effect is comparable.

Link to Video Case Study: 2 Bullfinch Birds Painted with Synthetic & Natural Brushes: https://youtu.be/iX13zJbSVVk

*Disclosure: Although I've been using Escoda brushes for over a decade, I recently became their official ambassador. I still enjoy using other brands mentioned above, including Winsor & Newton's Series 7, but I wanted to be transparent about my current affiliation.