There are all kinds of watercolor brushes, but you will only need a few basic brushes to start. Brushes come in various sizes – the bigger the number, the bigger the brush.

The best watercolor brushes are made of natural fibers, the finest being the Kolinsky red sable. These are actually not made from a sable’s hairs at all, but from a type of mink native to Siberia. The hairs of these brushes are soft, spring back into shape, and form a beautiful pointed tip for easy control. Sable brushes can range from $8.00 into the hundreds for just one depending on its size.  I’ve only owned one Kolinsky brush, though I would love to try more.

Some watercolor brushes are made from other natural hairs, including weasel, ox, pony, and squirrel hair. These can range in price from $8.00 to around $100.00. But there are discount art supply stores where you can find them for sometimes as much as forty percent off.

If your budget is more limited like mine, don’t worry! Less-expensive synthetic brushes are also available (some brushes are a combination of both natural and synthetic fibers). Synthetic brushes can also be used with other types of paint. They range from artist-quality brushes to children’s school-type brushes.

If you decide on using the synthetic brushes, get the best you can afford. You’ll get better results with less frustration from a high-quality synthetic brush than you will from a brush that came in a package of ten for $1.00.

BASIC BRUSHES:

1. Round Brush: Unless you are planning to do large watercolor paintings, you can start with a size 6 or 8. Winsor Newton Sceptre Series 101 offers brushes that are a blend of natural sable and synthetic hair and range in price from $7.00 – $100.00 for a round brush. You can get them at a discount art supplier such as DickBlick.com for about $3.00 – $50.00. Size 8 at Dick Blick costs about $9.00.

2. Flat Wash Brush, ½” or larger. Price is about $20, or $10 with a discount.

3. Mop Wash (LEFT), Oval Wash (CENTER), or Hake Brush (RIGHT): Because these are used for filling in large areas with paint or water, if you are painting on small sheets of paper, you can skip this brush. Some people like the inexpensive hake brush over the mop brush, but sometimes they shed while you are painting. At some point, you should give them both a try – it’s the only way you will know which one you prefer. Mop Brushes (size 3) range from $25.00 on sale to about $45.00; hake brushes anywhere from $2.00 to $15.00.

Mop Wash

Oval Wash

Hake Brush

Liner: for fine details. Prices can range from a few – $9.00 before discount.

That’s it! For your basic brushes, you could actually get by with just a round brush and a flat wash brush. Remember, if the brushes are for you or an older student, buy the best you can. It’s so frustrating to try to get good results with an inadequate brush. These brushes are tools; good quality tools will help you create a quality product.

Your brushes will last longer if you clean them properly. When you’re finished painting, wash them with a mild soap and warm water and be sure to rinse them completely. You can use your fingers to gently reshape the hairs back into a point if you need to, then lay the brush on a flat surface to dry.

When drying brushes, it’s best to lay them flat. If you stand the brushes with the point up to dry, the water in the hairs will run into the wooden handle, which can eventually loosen the ferrule (the metal tube that holds the hairs). Once this happens, the brush hairs will begin falling out as you paints. If you stand the brushes with the point down to dry, the bristles will bend and lose their shape.

After the brushes are completely dry, store them r with the point up and handle down in a container or keep them flat in a brush holder. You can purchase a holder or make one of your own from canvas or fabric.