Watercolor Paint Brushes

Brush department

Pointed round watercolor brushes

Shop for one brush that can start at a point and open up into a fuller stroke. Compare the round profile, head width and bristle length to the marks you make most often.

Brushes in this department

Choose by the job

Small studies and edges

Use a compact pointed round where you want to place a small mark and fill around it without changing brushes.

Botanical and loose strokes

Compare a fuller round or a long round for petals, stems and leaf marks that change width across the stroke.

Questions before buying

What shape is useful for painting a petal in one stroke?

A pointed round lets you start with the tip and widen the mark as you press. Choose a head width that suits the size of the flower on your paper.

Should I start with a regular round or long round?

Start with a regular round for general use. Compare a long round when you want more length for pulling a mark through narrow shapes.

What size is right for a small sketchbook?

Match the head to your typical marks. If you have a brush that works at home, compare its head width to the smaller brush you plan to carry.