Watercolor Brushes 101: Your Guide To The Perfect Tools

There are many types, brands, and styles of watercolor brushes. Let’s break it down and understand the way they are used and which ones may be right for you!

Let’s talk about it!

image of brushes and examples of what they do

Round Watercolor Brushes

My brushes of choice are round watercolor brushes. You will always see me using a #2 and a #6 or #8 round brush. I love the versatility of them when I paint.

Round watercolor brushes are good for broad lines, stroke work, and even calligraphy if you are so talented. When I first learned to paint, Sarah Cray, my online instructor, always had us a #2 and #6 round brush.

Being that they are used for several techniques, it is like having a 2-in-1 brush. Their fat bellies can hold water and pigment, while the tip can be used for those finer lines. To create thicker lines, all you need to do is flatten the brush and you can go from a pointy tip to a fatter line, back to a pointy tip – like you might do when creating leaves or foliage.

They come in many sizes from a size 000 up to a size 12!

Size 000, 00, 0, & 1 – great for detail and thin lines.
Size 2 – used for medium detail, thin lines, and on smaller paintings, can be used as a wash
Size 3 & 4 – good choice for more medium-sized detail and smaller washes
Size 6 & 8 – a popular size for washes and creating bold lines and effects
10 & 12 – great for washes, filling in very large areas, and bold effects

In the watercolor paintings I do, the largest size paper I use is 9″ x 12″. This is why I prefer to use the #2 & #6 most of the time.

Let’s talk about the pros and cons of round synthetic brushes vs real hair brushes.

Both synthetic and real hair round brushes have their pros and cons, making the “better” choice dependent on your individual needs and preferences. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:

Synthetic Round Brushes:

Pros:

More affordable: Generally less expensive than real hair brushes
Cruelty-free: No animal hair is used in their production
Durable: They can hold their shape well and are less prone to damage from harsh chemicals or improper care
Good for beginners: They are often easier to control and maintain, making them suitable for learning basic techniques
Wide variety: Available in a vast array of shapes, sizes, and synthetic fiber blends, offering options for various techniques and styles

Cons:

Less water retention: May not hold as much water as natural hair brushes, requiring more frequent dipping
Less spring: May not “snap” back into shape as well as natural hair brushes, potentially affecting control and precision
Softer feel: May not offer the same smooth, gliding sensation as natural hair brushes

Real Hair Round Brushes:

Pros:

Excellent water retention: Can hold a lot of water, allowing for smoother washes and better color control
Superior spring: “Snap” back into shape well, providing better control and precision, especially for delicate details
Softer touch: May offer a smoother and more enjoyable painting experience due to the natural hair’s softness

Cons:

More expensive: Generally costlier than synthetic brushes
Animal-derived: May not be suitable for vegans or individuals who object to the use of animal products
More delicate: Require more care and maintenance to prevent damage and maintain their shape
Limited variety: Fewer options available compared to synthetic brushes, especially for specific techniques or styles

Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your priorities. If lower price and ease of use are your top concerns, synthetic brushes might be a better option.

If you prioritize water retention, control, and a smoother feel, real hair brushes might be a better choice, even with their higher cost.

I have a mixture of both, but my favorite brushes are synthetic. They may require more maintenance and care, but they work well for me and my budget!

image of a watercolor with two brushes laying on top

If you have watched any of my watercolor videos, you will see that I use the above driftwood handle brushes. I located where I purchased them several years ago and you can find them at Sugarhouse Ceramics. They took a little bit to get used to as they are not straight-handled. They are my favorite though! I have a size #2 and size #6.

Flat Watercolor Brushes

Flat watercolor brushes come in several widths. The small is great for softening edges, yet able to create a hard, straight edge as well. A larger, wider flat brush is particularly great for doing a wash in large areas.

If you are into making geometric shapes, a flat brush is your friend.

The same rules apply as above for synthetic vs real hair. All of my flat brushes are synthetic and I don’t mind it. I don’t use them enough to invest in an expensive sable flat watercolor paintbrush.

You will want to add flat brushes to your tool caddy of watercolor brushes at some point though. It’s nice to be able to grab one if you need it. I recommend getting a small and large size.

There are no mistakes in art. Only opportunities.
Bob Ross

Mop Watercolor Brushes

Watercolor mop brushes, also known as wash brushes, are large, round brushes characterized by their fluffy and voluminous head. They are specifically designed for applying washes.

Their large size allows them to hold a significant amount of water and pigment, enabling them to cover large areas of the paper quickly.

Due to their large size and soft nature, mop brushes can be trickier for you to control compared to smaller brushes. They require a light touch and practice to achieve your desired effects. The amount of water they hold is tremendous, so take heed!

Cats Tongue Watercolor Brushes

A funny name for a fun brush! The cat’s tongue brush, named for its resemblance to a feline’s tongue, is a very versatile watercolor brush that offers a combination of softness, precision, and control.

Cat’s tongue watercolor brushes have a flat body with a pointed tip. This will help with broad washes and those delicate details. Due to the flat belly, you can create smooth and even washes, especially in smaller areas or when using less paint.

The pointed tip allows for controlled application of color in smaller areas, making it suitable for painting details, small flowers, leaves, or lettering. They come in various sizes, with the smaller ones being ideal for detailed work and the larger ones better for washes and broader painting techniques.

Believe it or not, I do not have a cat’s tongue watercolor brush! I may have to add that to my supply list!

Angular Watercolor Brushes

Angular or angled watercolor brushes are known for their flat body with a sharp, angled tip. This slanted shape offers a combination of functionalities, making them useful for various watercolor techniques.

The angled tip is perfect for creating crisp lines and clean borders, making them ideal for geometric shapes, lettering, and outlining. The tip also allows for reaching into tight corners and painting confined spaces with better control compared to a flat brush.

Mastering the use of an angled brush might require some practice for you due to the angular tip, as controlling the stroke and achieving desired effects can take some getting used to.

With some practice, you can create beautiful foliage and those shadows on the mountainsides just to name two uses for it.

Fan Watercolor Brushes

Fan watercolor brushes, named for their resemblance to a fan when spread open, are unique brushes known for their ability to create soft washes, blend colors, and add interesting textures to your paintings.

They come in several sizes, like most of the watercolor brushes. I have one larger one and one smaller one. I like the smaller ones to create pine trees in the forest as you can create the branches so nicely with these brushes.

They do require some practice to use as sometimes you only want part of the fan to make your branches until you go further down the tree where they become broader.

Detail Watercolor Brushes

Detail watercolor brushes are named for exactly what they are. For those fine details. The tip is small and when used correctly, make thin, linear, lines.

The secret to making those thin lines with the detail brush is this:

Once you have your paint on the brush, swirl your bristles in the paint until the tip is nice and pointy.
When using it to make thin, detailed lines, hold the brush straight up and down, with a light touch to the paper, and move your entire arm along with the brush and not just your hand. Keep the pressure light.

You may get skippers at times, but with practice, you can master it. Well, I say that and I still get skippers. Sometimes I cheat and use my very fine-tipped Micron pen instead if I am making whiskers on an animal.

For more information about watercolor brushstrokes, read about the 5 Basic Watercolor Brushstrokes.

Filbert Watercolor Brushes

A little history here. The filbert brush is named after the hazelnut, or filbert nut, that it resembles. The nut is named after Philibert, a 7th-century Frankish abbot and saint whose feast day coincides with the ripening of the nut in August. The brush is flat and oval-shaped and is ideal for blending and creating soft edges around natural objects like flower petals.

Would you believe I could not find my filbert brush in my brush holder? I obviously don’t use it. I am such a round #2 and #6 snob, that I feel that I don’t need to paint with a filbert brush.

Like the cat’s tongue brush, the filbert brush is flat but has a rounded edge instead of a pointed tip.

Rigger Watercolor Brushes

The rigger brush, also sometimes called a liner, stands out for its distinctive long, thin body and fine tip. This design makes it the go-to tool for artists seeking exceptional control and precision in their watercolor paintings.

Because of the long thin body, the rigger watercolor brush can hold more water and pigment vs a detail brush that is short bristled.

There is a learning curve to using the rigger brush and you will need a lot of dedication and practicing of your strokes several times until you are comfortable with how it handles.

I do not do a whole lot of precision watercolor, so when I do, I need to go over and over again the handling technique. Like the detail brush, you will want to hold it vertically and with a light touch.

Travel Watercolor Brushes

The person who invented these was a genius! I love to take these when I travel. I prefill them with water, throw them in my bag with a small pan paint palette, and my travel watercolor pad and I am set!

They come in most of the styles of watercolor brushes mentioned above and different sizes.

Just a little squeeze on the barrel of the brush and the water comes through to the brush tip. Swirl it in your pan paint and start painting! Note though, that when you switch colors, you need to give another squeeze to rinse and wipe on a paper towel or cloth.

Still, these are fantastic, and I recommend you try them at least once. Keep them for traveling or on-the-go painting. Sitting and waiting in the school pick-up line for the kiddos? No problem, just pull out your watercolor pens and paint and start painting while sitting in your car. It’s as easy as that.

If you notice in this article I did not address any brands, except my favorite driftwood watercolor brushes. Mainly because I don’t have a real favorite brand, so to speak, and purchase my brushes by sight, price, and needs. If you are looking for a brand name, as a beginner, I would recommend Let’s Make Art brushes.

These are the brushes I started out with and still love them to this day. When I’m not using my driftwood brushes, I will use these.

If you are looking for more watercolor brush resources, check out Arteza (As an Arteza affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.) I have a few of the speciality type brushes that I purchased and do like to use them as well.