Watercolor Paint Brushes

Brush department

Specialty watercolor brush shapes

Choose a specialty head for a mark you want to repeat. An angled edge, a fanned head or a curved oval can add a useful motion to a kit that already has a round and a wash brush.

Brushes in this department

Choose by the job

Angle and dagger

Compare an angled flat when you want a corner and a broader face. Look at a dagger profile for a long taper that can vary the width in a sweeping stroke.

Fan and rounded flats

A fan is worth comparing for broken texture. A rounded flat produces broader coverage with a softened outline.

Questions before buying

Which shape is useful for a repeated pointed leaf mark?

Compare an angled or dagger brush for a tapered sweep. A pointed round can also make the mark if you already like the way it opens with pressure.

What should I compare for broken texture in dry foliage?

A fan spreads bristles across a wider area and can help make separated marks. Compare its width with the area you want to texture.

Does a specialty brush need to replace my basic flat?

Keep the flat for clean bands if it already suits you. Add a specialty head when you need a taper, angle or texture it is hard to repeat with your flat.