Before you buy
Watercolor brush buying guides
Compare sizes, fiber, brush shapes and set contents for the work you want to paint.
- How to compare watercolor brush sizes If the size 8 round you already own feels right, use it as a reference when you shop. Write down its series, shape, and approximate head width before comparing another brush marked 8.
- Choose a flat wash, mop, or quill A rectangular sky and a loose cloud edge call for different brush shapes. Choose the edge you want to paint first, then think about how much of the paper you need to cover before reloading.
- Choose a rigger, liner, or short detail brush A branch that crosses the page and a tiny highlight in an eye both need a narrow mark. Decide whether you need to pull a continuous line or place a small mark that stops cleanly.
- Compare watercolor brush fibers by the marks you make Start with a problem you can see on the page. A wash that needs fewer reloads calls for a different comparison than a pointed stroke you want to repeat several times.
- Compare watercolor brush sets by what is inside Count the jobs each brush can do. A kit with several sizes of one shape gives you a range of scale, while a mixed kit gives you different edges and marks.
- Clean and store watercolor brushes between sessions If a once-pointed brush starts to spread, check for dried pigment where the hairs meet the metal collar. A simple rinse, reshape and dry routine helps you keep the shape you chose.