Is there a BEST Brush for Watercolor?! The Brushes I'm using 2023.

Here's an updated look at the watercolor brushes I like to use and some general advice on buying good brushes.

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[MDCampbell]

The absolute BEST brush is the one you go to over and over, and which makes you so happy that you just want to take that brush everywhere you go and sleep with it. Seriously, for me, the best brushes I have are actually some of the cheapest brushes I've acquired over the years. Some of the fancy, expensive ones have let me down and now collect dust. This is a wonderful discussion and highly important as a reminder for veteran artists and an advice POV for beginners. Well done on this topic, Steve, and presented with straight-up experience. Love that! Hoping all is well, my friend! ~ Mark

[LieslHuddleston]

LOL! I laughed out loud "Gimme that!" @0:18 too funny, Steve! Great advice as usual :) My favorite brushes are the Jerry's Artarama brand, Mimik Kolinsky and Mimik Squirrel. Love them! Those Princeton Aqua Elites are great too.

[jeanettemarkley]

I love the silvers. I don't have the amount of brushes you have, but I did buy a sable #8. I often choose to use my silver #8 because I want to use the sable on more serious paintings.

[stacyegan]

I've come to also regard the Aqua Elite as my favorite. I find the point nice and sharp, and for me just right balance between firm/snap vs soft. Doesn't dump the brush load all at once in an uncontrolled fashion onto the paper as I found the DaVinci Cosmotop did. I used to favor the Silver Black Velvet but now find those softer than I'd like. The Escoda Versatil is nice, a bit softer than the Aqua Elite. I agree about the Princeton Neptune rounds lacking a sharp point; they are best used as a soft squirrel substitute for initial washes of larger areas and maybe a unifying glaze. It truly is a matter of personal taste, which apparently changes with time and experience. I advise buying one brush to try out before committing to a set.

[donnahughes]

I started with a combination of Princeton Neptunes and Aqua Elites and i still use them. I don't know any other brands so the mix i have are my favs

[Pop_Paints]

Much appreciated you are helping me teach my grandson the value of art I am 80 ( and a artist ) and my grandson is 12 ( a budding artist)

[GONZOFAM]

Princeton heritage and velvetouch are my favorites. My kids bought me some small aqua elites, wow! They are wonderful. I was also given a no name set of 12 rounds. Excellent brushes and my go to for detail work.

[Titus--]

I just found your youtube channel and am gaining a lot of information. I am just beginning on my watercolor journey. At 64 I decided it was time to try watercolor. I did oil painting in my 20's and thought watercolor was so difficult. It is definitely different, but I'm sure with practice it will become easier. Also, thank you for the verses and quotes at the end of your videos, that made my day when I saw that :) Have a blessed day.

[bobbiegraham]

You got me started on my watercolor adventure. Silver black velvet is still a major go to for me. Lebenzon, are my extravagant indulgence, like you said, and I love the Itty bitty because it is so comfortable. Rosemary and Company has been my biggest surprise in the past year, their designer line and their red Sable and red dot. All with different snaps. And like you I have so many that I forget to use but I am moving and have to pack and set up new studio space so it's going to be fun to set up easier accessibility for palettes and brushes. Great catch up video.

[somacarr]

I like Princeton velvet touch 12 round. It has a great sharp point and helps with blending.

[johncspine]

My symphony colleague used to say “it’s a poor craftsman that blames his tools.” Usually that was in relation to making a bad note mistake, but, I’m sure it has parallels. I played on a thousand dollar student horn my dad bought me in high school, won three international auditions, performed solos and orchestral rep on it for almost ten pro years before getting an expensive, pro instrument. It made my life a lot easier. I didn’t know the things I was doing physically to make up for such a beginner instrument until I got older and had less physicality to spare to manhandle the instrument.

[robyncutts]

I love my Escoda Versatil, it has a very sharp point.

[greekveteran]

The most underrated are the Talens Rembrandt series 110 and 100 and the KUM Memory point. They are made in Germany and are at least, as good as Da Vinci, if not better in some occasions.

[Patti-in-Japan]

The brushes I find myself using most are Princeton Aqua Elite Long Round 8, and Escoda Perla round 8.

[happypappy]

Thank you! I work at Hobby Lobby! I’ll have to look closer at their brushes!

[annenglish]

I'm adding this to my saved list!!! Thank you 😊 for sharing, Steve!!! Just read an Amazon review for Grum. Rigger #2 & they bought & loved it ... all because of MOW suggestion! God bless you! A California Gramma ♥️

[JCLittle]

Thanks for this great overview Steve! I have quite a few of these; my current fave for details is the Rosemary and Co Kolinsky sable round, #4. It is exquisite, the kind of brush that does the work for you, you just have to hold it 😊.

[lindathaxton]

Thank you for sharing 🙏 think I’m addicted to watercolor brushes & supplies 🥴

[deborahraenelson]

Your recommendations are always so helpful. I can trust your experience. Thanks!

[catherinelevison]

You and I agree 100% and that’s mainly because I learned from you and what you said turned out to be true. Thank you.