The best watercolor brushes will allow you to paint with a variety of brushes and paint with a smooth flow. For beginners try Monte Mart and professionals should use Isabey Kolinsky Sable brushes.
For an affordable brush try Escoda brushes. Digital artists should try the Watercolor Painting Kit.
One of the most accessible painting mediums is watercolor.
Good watercolor paintings do not only depend on the skill of the artist but on the quality of the painting supplies that an artist uses.
One such painting supply is the watercolor brush.
Having a good or solid watercolor brush is very important whether you have just entered the field of watercolor painting or you are a professional watercolor artist.
Instead of getting one watercolor brush, it is always recommended to get a set of them.
Why? Because a set of brushes contains a variety of brushes that may help you to draw thin or thick strokes on the canvas.
If you have different types of brushes by your side while painting, you can easily put all your ideas on paper.
There are several types of watercolor brushes available in the market that sometimes it becomes really challenging to pick the best one.
How do you know the brush you are going to buy is a good one? Well, there are some types of brushes that work well with watercolors.
What to Look for in a Quality Watercolor Brush?
It means while buying watercolor brushes, you need to consider some factors for example the hair of a brush.
The type of hair a brush has defines how much paint and water a brush can hold.
The bristles of brushes are also very important to consider especially if you are doing watercolor paintings. Brushes may have natural, synthetic, or sable fiber, so make sure you choose the best one.
Now that you have come to know what to look for in a brush and what type of brush you need for your watercolor paintings.
Now, it is time to look at some examples of the best and top watercolor brushes. I remember when I started watercolor paintings, I didn’t even have an idea what brush to pick.
As time passes, I researched and have come to know what brushes work best for watercolors.
Today’s guide is all about the best watercolor brushes. Here, I am going to highlight why a good brush is important for watercolor paintings along with the best brushes that you can use in your paintings.
So, do not waste your time and money and buy one of the following brushes as they are the best on the market!
Are you ready? Let’s get started!
Why A Good Brush is Important for Watercolor Paintings?
In all types of paintings whether it is watercolor painting, oil painting, acrylic painting, or pastel painting, having a good brush and the best acrylic paint is very important.
Apart from paper, a brush is said to be the most crucial tool for watercolor paintings.
It acts like a conductor between your hand and the canvas. It is the brush by which you can draw lines, shapes, patterns, textures, etc. on paper.
Yes, it is right! The bristles of the brush interact with the paint by which you can draw different effects on canvas, paper, or whatever type of surface you choose for painting.
Moreover, the handles of a brush can also make a difference in your whole painting experience.
As a watercolor brush may work for even hundreds of paintings, that is why it is always recommended to go for a good-quality watercolor brush that is not only designed for fine and detailed artwork but makes you feel comfortable while painting.
Best Watercolor Brushes for Beginners
It is a bit difficult to choose the best watercolor brush, especially for beginners. Beginners are often overwhelmed with the selection of painting supplies, especially when it comes to brushes.
If you are a beginner, I highly recommend using watercolor brushes that are not only budget-friendly but have good synthetic bristles as well.
Once you have got some experience in painting, you can then buy a brush with natural bristles.
As you have just started watercolor paintings, so first make sure that you actually enjoy painting and get to know the type of brush that may work well for your painting style (before investing money into the expensive options).
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Heartybay Paint Brushes Set
Are you looking for a watercolor brush set that may help you to take your first step to becoming a great artist?
Heartybay Paint Brushes Set contains the best watercolor brushes in 8 sizes and a variety of styles including round, filbert, angular, liner, or flat brushes.
Comes with synthetic bristles, these brushes provide an incredibly smooth flow.
They do not only work well for watercolor paintings but are ideal for oil paintings and acrylic paintings as well.
Furthermore, the handles of Heartybay paintbrushes are quite comfortable and well-built so there is no fatigue even after long hours of painting.
So, as a beginner or casual artist, if you are looking for a brush set that is not only durable but may offer you some great versatility, Heartybay Paint Brushes Set is the one you should choose.
Pros:
+ The brushes come with synthetic and soft bristles
+ You can use this set for watercolor, acrylic, or oil paintings
+ Available at an affordable price rate
+ It is a great choice for beginner artists
Cons:
- This set is not good for professional artists
Scrawls Art Watercolor Brushes
Scrawls Art Watercolor Cake Set is the best watercolor kit for beginners who want to learn how to watercolor.
It features 36 watercolors with a beautiful vibrant hue and 12 brushes, from flat and round brushes to a variety of sizes that makes this kit ideal for applying different watercolor techniques.
The quality of the brushes is extremely good.
They can hold a pretty nice amount of water and paints.
This brush set is not only good for beginners but the kids can also play with these brushes. Believe me, you will be blown away by the premium-quality look and feel of these brushes.
The Scrawls Art Watercolor Cake Set comes in a sturdy case with a hinged lid, hence perfect for easy storage and a nice choice as a gift.
Plus, the paints are non-toxic, odor-free, and do not have any harmful substances. In short, Scrawls Art Watercolor Cake Set is a great set for beginners so get it right now and make creative artwork with it!
Pros:
+ You can get a variety of high-quality brushes that come in a sturdy case
+ The paints are non-toxic, hence safe for the kids
+ Perfect for beginners and children
+ Every brush in the set does a good job while maintaining its shape
Cons:
- This brush set can only be used for detailing
Silver Brush Black Velvet Watercolor Brush Set
Silver Brush Black Velvet is another set of watercolor brushes best for beginner artists.
With a signature silver brand and a unique black-lacquer handle, it comes with 3 sets of brushes with a smooth butter-like performance.
With the combination of both squirrel and synthetic bristles, these brushes work well for fine detail work.
They are not only good to be used for watercolor paintings but can work with acrylics, inks, gouache, and dyes.
The best part of these brushes is that they can hold a large amount of color and can release it with good control.
The Silver Brush Black Velvet Watercolor Brush Set is perfect for multiple-layer glazing.
It means that the bristles of these brushes are so soft that you can apply layers of colors without affecting the previous layers.
Hence, the Silver Brush Black Velvet brush set offers a completely different watercolor painting experience!
Pros:
+ The Silver Brush Black Velvet brush set offers a unique blending experience
+ Ideal for watercolors and other types of paintings
+ The bristles of the brushes are soft
+ You can apply several layers of colors using these brushes without disturbing the previous ones
+ These brushes are great for color mixing
Cons:
- Most people claim that the hairs of these brushes fall out while painting
Mont Marte Watercolor Brushes Set
One of the popular and best watercolor brushes in this category is Mont Marte Watercolor Brushes Set.
This set consists of 15 hand-made yet professional-style brushes that are of superior quality and can be used for a wide range of paintings.
Plus, the handle of these brushes has an ergonomic design which makes the brush quite comfortable to use even after long hours.
Pros:
+ This set includes a variety of brushes with incredible quality
+ The brushes come in a lightweight case which makes it easy to carry
+ Ergonomic design handle
+ The Mont Marte brush set is available at an affordable rate
+ Superior quality and supports wide application
Cons:
– This set is not ideal for professional use
– Most people claim that these brushes have a strong chemical stench
Mozart Supplies Watercolor Paint Brush 10 Assorted Synthetic Brushes
Mazart Supplies makes this essential 10-piece watercolor set for beginners.
It’s both versatile and affordable, with good variability between sizes and styles, making it some of the best beginner watercolor brushes.
They make some of the best synthetic watercolor brushes designed for maximum softness and absorbency.
The handles are birchwood, 16 cm long.
The brushes end up with an even ratio of paint-to-water, making them some of the best brushes for watercolor for beginners.
One of the best watercolor brush sets for aspiring watercolorists, the set contains flat, round, fan, filbert, and fine line-shaped brushes.
The sizes range from 000 to 12 for everything from washes to precise detail work.
It could be the best watercolor brush set for beginners.
You can purchase the best watercolor brush set here:
Pros
- Lots of brush variety
- Affordable
- Great for beginners
Cons
- Synthetic fibers
- Not the best made
Princeton Real Value Brush Set
Princeton makes a nice student-grade set of watercolor brushes appropriate for beginners.
They are some of the best beginner watercolor brushes made of high-quality synthetic hair.
Its Golden Taklon fibers are less floppy than squirrel hair, with a bounce and steady flow rate similar to the best sable watercolor brushes.
Their ‘snap-back’ feel makes them well-suited for fast sketching work and for detail work.
The set comes with six brushes, including two rounds, two shaders, and two liners for a wide range of uses.
Affordable and useful, it’s one of the best watercolor brushes set, making it one of the best watercolor brush set for beginners just looking for something that works.
You can get your own best watercolor brush set here:
Pros
- Golden Taklon is a solid kind of synthetic fiber
- Affordable and works for beginners
Cons
- Only six brushes
Best Affordable Watercolor Brushes
Most people think that the most expensive brushes are the best ones but it is not necessary.
Even affordable brushes also work best for watercolor paintings.
A few of the best yet affordable watercolor brushes are as follows:
Amagic Round Pointed Brushes
Amagic Round Pointed Brushes are one of the best watercolor brushes that can satisfy your artistic needs whether you are a beginner or a professional artist.
This set contains 9 synthetic nylon brushes with ergonomically-designed handles which make them good to be used comfortably for long hours.
As the brushes are available in many sizes so you can not only paint large backgrounds but can also work on the smallest details.
Moreover, you can use Amagic round pointed brushes for watercolor, acrylic, and oil paintings.
Pros:
+ Most versatile round brushes (as you can use them with any kind of paint)
+ These brushes have ergonomically-designed handles
+ Each brush comes with durable hair
Cons:
- Most users claim that there is no protective covering on the bristles
Artify Paint Brush Set (38 Pcs)
Artify Paint Brush Set is another budget-friendly option when it comes to watercolor brushes. It comes with 38 brushes, each with a unique style and feature.
The brushes are not only available in different sizes (including flat and round) but are made up of natural or synthetic bristles.
Another plus point of Artify Paint Brush Set?
All brushes in this set are durable and of high-quality.
Not only this, but the brushes can be used for acrylics, oil, and watercolor paintings. You can use them for large strokes or even work on minor details.
In short, if you are not sure which brush may be right for your painting needs, you should buy Artify Paint Brush Set as it contains a variety of different brushes!
Pros:
+ Available at a competitive price
+ High-quality brushes that are also resistant to falling apart
+ It comes in a carrying pouch, hence offers easy storage
+ Lacquer-coated brush handles to provide a strong grip
+ This set is perfect for beginners
Cons:
-Most users claim about the quality of brushes
Escoda Reserva Round Paint Brush
So, here comes another affordable paintbrush. It is Escoda Reserva Round Paint Brush. This brush has a unique size, and versatile shape, and is the finest-quality brush.
You can use this single brush instead of using a whole set of brushes. It has a fine point which makes it perfect for detailed artwork.
Not only the hair of Escoda Reserva round paintbrush is locked securely but its handle is also very comfy, hence making the overall painting experience easy and comfortable.
Pros:
+ It can hold a pretty nice amount of paint
+ Point round shape best for watercolor and acrylic paintings
+ This paintbrush is expertly handmade in Spain
Cons:
- This brush is not suitable for painting large strokes
BOSOBO Paint Brushes Set
If you are looking for some of the best affordable watercolor brushes, this two-pack of 10 brushes has 20 brushes for a very good price.
It features round, liner, filbert, and flat brushes in a variety of sizes, allowing you to achieve various levels of precision while watercolor painting.
The fibers on this best watercolor brush are made of synthetic nylon that spring back into shape easily, with wooden handles and nickel ferrules.
For long-term use, clean in mild soap and water right after each use and then store vertically to dry.
One of the best watercolor brush sets if you like to have a lot of options.
You can buy yourself a set of some of the best budget watercolor brushes here:
Pros
- Very affordable
- Springy bristles
Cons
- Others on the list are better
- No natural fibers
Transon Round Watercolor Brushes
Round brushes are the most versatile of the best watercolor brush shapes.
So this set of 8 good watercolor brushes in different sizes is a great, affordable start to any watercolor brush collection.
The best watercolor brushes set would include lots of sizes, like this one which includes sizes 0 through 7, using a durable blend of nylon and goat hair.
They attempt to mimic the soft, smooth spring of the best sable watercolor brushes, and hold their shape decently.
The larger brushes are some of the best watercolor brushes because they don’t splay easily and hold paint well, while the smaller brushes are some of the best brushes for watercolor for fine details and precision.
The nickel-plated copper ferrules are secure and hold the bristles well, but there is some fray over many uses.
There is some shedding.
Get your set of some of the best budget watercolor brushes here:
Pros
- Best watercolor brushes set for the price
- Great versatility
Cons
- Some fraying and shedding over time
Best Watercolor Brushes for Professionals
Here are my top picks for the best watercolor brushes for professionals by which you can portray your art better:
Da Vinci Watercolor Paint Brush
Da Vinci Watercolor Paint Brush is one of the best watercolor brushes for professional artists. It is a leading brand when it comes to art supplies.
This watercolor paintbrush by Da Vinci is not only durable but can retain its shape well and has a good amount of elasticity.
With an extra sharp point as well as fact action on the tip, this brush is ideal for detailed artwork as well as painting on large surfaces.
Moreover, this brush is suitable for watercolor painting, animation, and illustration. It is handmade by expert artisans.
Pros:
+ Highest-quality brush
+ This brush is available in different sizes
+ You can use this brush for both detail work or for large brush strokes
+ It is resistant to rust
Cons:
- It is a bit pricey
Isabey Kolinsky Sable Round Watercolor Brush
If you are looking for a brush that can create stunning compositions, Isabey Kolinsky Sable Round Watercolor Brush is the one that you need. It is an amazing brush that not only looks beautiful in the hand but also works surprisingly when used on paper, canvas, or any other surface.
It is long and comes with a fine tip.
Also, it can hold a nice amount of paint and water, hence perfect for professionals.
And guess the surprising thing?
The Isabey Kolinsky Sable round watercolor brush does not only last for years but for decades!
In short, Isabey Kolinsky Sable Round Watercolor Brush is one of the best brushes for professional artists available in the market to date!
Pros:
+ It is durable
+ The hairs of this brush are long and dense
+ Handmade by skilled brush makers
Cons:
-It is a bit expensive paintbrush
Virtuous Arts Watercolor Brush Set
Another high-quality brush set for expert artists is Virtuous Arts Watercolor Brush Set.
Consists of 15 brushes, this set is ideal for working on precise details.
The bristles of each brush are solid and reliable.
It comes in a carry-case and is good to be used for watercolor, oil, and acrylic paintings.
Pros:
+ All brushes are well-constructed
+ Works well for fine details
Cons:
- Most users claim that the packing of this set is not of good quality
Dainayw Watercolor Paint Brushes Set
The Dainayw five-brush watercolor set offers a nice variety of high-quality watercolor brushes in common shapes and sizes for professional artists.
Three round brushes in sizes 4, 8, and 12, as well as a size 14 flat and size 14 oval some of the best professional watercolor brushes.
Smooth wooden handles feature a glossy finish and comfortable grip, coming in an elegant black gift box.
The bristles are made from natural squirrel hair, along with some other hairs. Squirrel hair is soft and absorbent, providing great holding capacity perfect for watercolor.
The other hairs blended throughout to create more spring in the brushes, allowing them to bounce back into shape more easily.
The overall effect is some of the best watercolor brushes for professionals, but much more affordable than the best kolinsky sable watercolor brushes.
You can get your own set here:
Pros
- Great set of five professional brushes
- Natural squirrel hair with other natural fibers for spring
- Top watercolor brushes
Cons
- More expensive
D’Artisan Shoppe Art Brush Set
Some of best synthetic watercolor brushes for professionals, there are 15 different brushes in the set, including 4 flat brushes, 3 round, 4 filbert, 1 fan, 1 angle, 1 rigger, and 1 wide brush.
This gives you a wide variety of the best professional watercolor brushes to work with.
It also comes with a lightweight case for holding and traveling with good watercolor brushes.
The brush fibers are mixed, with 4 hog bristle brushes which offer great water retention and high spring capacity, and 11 synthetic brushes, some of the best brushes for watercolor and just some high-quality watercolor brushes overall.
Overall, this is a highly recommended set of the best synthetic watercolor brushes for gift giving and gives you the versatility you need in your watercolor painting, although not exactly the best kolinsky sable watercolor brushes.
You can buy these top watercolor brushes here:
Pros
- Best synthetic watercolor brushes for professionals
- A large variety of brushes
- Travel case
Cons
- Not all brushes use natural bristles
- Expensive
Best Watercolor Brushes for Procreate for Digital Artists
When you use digital watercolor brushes, you can have difficulties achieving realistic watercolor brushes.
In fact, it can be quite tough to get realistic watercolor effects from watercolor brushes.
That’s why I am proud to list the below Procreate watercolor brushes:
Watercolor Painting Kit
In less than 5 minutes, these watercolor Procreate brushes can help any Procreate beginner paint realistic watercolors like a pro!
No other Procreate watercolor brush offers this diverse set of brushes allowing you to paint various types of brush strokes.
This kit comes with a template that helps you paint easily.
Whether you want brushes that give you smooth blending, brushes with soft edges, brushes with a hard edge, or brushes with unique textures, this kit has it all!
Pros:
+ 14 diverse brushes allowing you to easily paint different types of brush strokes in a matter of seconds
+ Comes with sketching and inking brushes
+ Packaged with 5 unique watercolor paper textures helps give you a realistic watercolor look
+ Bonus 8 premade color palettes
Cons:
- Must use Procreate, no Photoshop brush version
Watercolor Brush Product Information
| Manufacturer | Dimensions | Weight |
| Heartbay | 12 x 5 x 0.4 inches | 2.39 ounces |
| Scrawls Art | 10.39 x 8.15 x 1.54 inches | 11.7 ounces |
| Silver Brush | 11 x 3 x 0.5 inches | 0.634 ounces |
| Monte Marte | 15.4 x 6 x 2.6 inches | 2.44 pounds |
| Amagic | 12.6 x 2.48 x 1.18 inches | 6.3 ounces |
| Artify | 13.9 x 3 x 2.8 inches | 12 ounces |
| Escoda | 0.33 x 0.33 x 8 inches | 0.16 ounces |
| Da Vinci | 7.68 x 0.05 x 7.68 inches | 0.32 ounces |
| Isabey Kolinsky | 5.08 x 2.09 x 0.31 inches | 2.57 ounces |
| Virtuous Arts | 9.55 x 4.4 x 1.2 inches | 4.8 ounces |
| Mozart Supplies | 11.54 x 4.92 x 0.63 inches | 3.52 ounces |
| Princeton Art | 0.5 x 2.75 x 11 inches | 1.12 ounces |
| BOSOBO | 6 x 3 x 0.4 inches | 2.4 ounces |
| Transon Round | 10.9 x 3 x 0.3 inches | 3.2 ounces |
| Dainayw | 10 x 2.8 x 1.2 inches | 3.52 ounces |
| D’Artisan Shoppe | 13.3 x 3.9 x 1.5 inches | 12 ounces |
Conclusion
So, these are the best watercolor brushes for this year. I have tested almost all these brushes and trust me, they are the best in the market.
I hope that now you have come to know which brush is the best for you.
But before buying any of these brushes, make sure that the brush you are going to buy can hold a nice amount of paint and water or have a good type of bristles.
Moreover, the size and shape of a brush are also very important to consider.
There are round, oval, wash, or flat paintbrushes and all can be used for different purposes.
Also, no matter how many brushes you have, it’s best to have a great system to organize your art supplies. Organizing your supplies will help you create beautiful paintings quicker.
So, what are you waiting for now?
It is time to get one or a few of the above-mentioned brushes and start painting whatever you want to paint. Happy Painting!