3 Watercolor Brushes You Need to Start With.

There are thousands of watercolor painting brushes on the market; but the round brush, flat brush and angled will set you off on a path to success.

Though there are many types of watercolor brushes on the market, there are three key brushes that any painter should have. These essential paint brushes include round, flat, and angled. With these three in hand, you’ll be able to create a variety of work. So, what is each of the different brushes used for?

Key Takeaways

1. Watercolor brushes allow you to create array of capabilities in your artwork. It is a good idea to have a variety of brushes on hand. 

2. Watercolor brushes come in three basic styles round, flat or angled. 

3. Watercolor brushes come in student and professional grades. Student watercolor brushes are cheaper and made of inexpensive synthetic materials and do not hold water or perform as well professional ones. Professional brushes are made from natural hair and/or expensive synthetic fibres and are generally more  durable and expensive.

Natural vs Synthetic Brushes

Watercolor brushes are made from a variety natural hair, synthetic fibers and blends of the two. Many will argue that natural hair like sable and squirrel are the best for their ability to hold water and soft characteristics. But todays synthetic brushes can rival even the most expensive Kolinsky Sable brushes on the market. Natural hair are generally the most expensive such a sable that can run into hundreds of dollars per brush. Modern synthetics are designed to mimic the characteristics of natural hair and are often described as “Synthetic Sable” or “Synthetic Squirrel” and are much more affordable. Some synthetic brushes have a “snap” or springiness to them which for many artists is more important than the benefits of natural hair. Choosing the right brush is a very personal decision based on your painting style, technique and budget.

  

    Round Paint Brushes

    Round brushes are the go-to brush for most watercolor artists and should be one of your first purchases. They have a rounded head, wide belly and a pointed tip. The wide produce a variety of strokes from fine lines to broad strokes. The wide belly of the round brush is designed to hold more pigment and water than any other brush type. 

    Round brushes come in all sizes from 000 all the way up to a large 20 or 40. Small brushes are useful for fine detail work and small surfaces. Larger sizes are great for large objects, washes and large surfaces.



    Flat Paint Brushes

    Flat paint brushes are characterized by a square-shaped head. They’re also referred to as a square brush. With a flat brush you are able to create straight edges and lager areas of colour. They don’t hold as much water as a round brush, since their bellies are thin and flat.

    Flat brushes come in various sizes from 1/8” to about 2”. Since they don’t carry as much pigment and water onto your painting they are best for shorter strokes in straight or square areas. Think of grass in a landscape or buildings. You might also use them for a more textured sky.



    Angled Paint Brush

    The angled paint brush is similar to the flat brush, but it instead of having a square tip, it’s cut into a steep angle. The design of the brush gives you more control than you have with the other brushes. The angled head creates clean consistent straight lines. The point of the brush comes in handy for getting into tight areas. Similar to the flat brush the angled watercolor brush doesn’t hold as much water as a round brush, since their bellies are thin and flat

    Similar to flat brushes, angled brushes come in various sizes from 1/8” to about 2”. Since they don’t carry as much pigment and water onto your painting they are best for shorter strokes in straight or square areas. The angled edge gives more control than a flat brush and lends itself to calligraphic shapes and the point can be used to add dots.


    Comparing the different brushes

    ●The round brush holds the most water and pigment, allowing you to cover a huge space with one stroke.

    ●The flat brush is great for shorter strokes.

    ●The angled brush provides the best control and allows for wide and thin strokes.

    ●Higher end brushes are made from better quality materials, while carry more water and pigment and are much more durable.

    ●Lower end brushes are made of cheaper synthetic materials and do not perform as well as professional brushes.

    ●Some paint brushes include an aquarelle handle, which is great for scraping paint off your painting.

    ●Large sized brushes are suited for larger paintings and looser painting styles

    ●Smaller brush sizes are better suited to small paintings and more detailed work.

      Closing thoughts

      If you’re just getting started, a round brush, flat brush, and angled brush will give you a wide array of capabilities. Student grade brushes are made of synthetic materials and will not hold water or perform as well as a professional grade brush. So, consider investing in quality brushes now and you’ll have a much better watercolor painting experience.

      Interested in learning more? 

      Check out our YouTube video on this subject with Arts of Course instructor Jess Rice.

      You may also want to read 16 simple things to know to begin with watercolors and create successful paintings.

      Download our free Top 10 Watercolor Tips by 200 passionate painters

      Categories: Watercolor Brushes, Watercolor tips

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