Watercolour Brushes I use (Patreon)

I had a request that I list the watercolour brushes I use most often. So I've created this post as a word document that you can download. I've attached it here.

I have a lot of brushes but the ones listed here are the brushes I use most often.

At the moment my favourite brushes to use are the Da Vinci Maestro brushes (pictured above)- most of mine are series 35.

https://shorturl.at/mABCH

Change the Brush Style drop down menu to series 35

I use the following sizes #0 #2, #3, #5, #7, #8

I reach for these brushes before any of my other brushes because they keep their beautiful point and they have good water holding capabilities. They are great for detail work because of their point. If you look after them they will last for years.

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I also have a set of:

Da Vinci Casaneo brushes.

The 3 on the left are series 5598

https://shorturl.at/abfkM

https://shorturl.at/JNT08

https://shorturl.at/kGNTY

I have the following sizes in the 5598 series: #4, #8, #10

I enjoy using these synthetic brushes but I prefer to use the Maestro series for detail because the point is finer. I tend to use these in the beginning stages of a painting when I’m laying washes in. Then I switch to the Maestro brushes when I want to start adding detail.

I also have a Da Vinci Casaneo oval pointed wash brush- series 898 size #16 (that’s the brush on the far right in the photo above). I use this one for washes and any large areas of a painting.

https://shorturl.at/hqGR5

I have a Casaneo series 498 #4 synthetic mop brush (2nd from right in photo above). I haven’t used this one yet but I’m sure it will be fabulous to use when I do.

https://shorturl.at/bkxDO

Da Vinci Mop brushes

I use the following sizes in the 418 series: #2, #3, #4. I have larger sizes too but I don’t use them as often. https://www.jacksonsart.com/en-au/search/?q=da%2Bvinci%2Bseries%2B418&___store=jacksonsart_au&acc=dd28e50635038e9cf3a648c2dd17ad0a

These brushes also have a beautiful point. You can lay down a lot of water/paint with them and then hold them up on their point to get fine lines. They cover a lot of paper in one go and are really good for a loose technique. If you prefer brushes with lots of ‘spring’ then these probably aren’t for you.

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Other brushes I have used in the past.

I use Da Vinci Nova liner brushes and also the Da Vinci Cosmotop Spin liner brushes.

The Nova liner brush is on the left. I use size #3/0, #0 and #1.

The Cosmotop spin (the red handled brush) is a good liner brush to use as well. Mine is a series 1280. I bought it in Sydney. I can’t seem to find it online but here is a link to the series 5580. It has shorter bristles than the brush I use. I have used size 3/0 for really fine work but the size #0 is a good brush to have.

https://shorturl.at/bJWY7

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Cheaper brushes.

Winsor & Newton make a range of brushes called ‘Cotman’. I used these when I first started painting in watercolour. They served me well for many years.

I currently have series 111 round brushes – #5 and #6

When you have time, let us know in the comments the brushes you like to use.