Interesting Facts on Watercolor Brushes
Like watercolor paper the choice of the right watercolor brush is another struggle a lot of artists have to overcome. Not only do you have to decide on what type but also the material and not least the price of your watercolor brushes. But don't panic the information here will sort out some doubts you might be having. It will inform you on the types and material used that make up a quality watercolor brush. With this information you will be able to make the right choice and get all your strokes right.


T=Tuft

F=Ferrule




H=Handle











The classic watercolor brush is the brush with its hairs in a round shape when wet this is one thing you have to check before you purchase a round brush. A high quality brush will hold a good portion of water and rinses out quickly. The great flexibility of the brush makes it the most used brush around, the most used size are the round brushes numbered #8 or #10 or #12 but remember you personally are the only one who can decide what feels good for you.

The other commonly used watercolor brush is the flat brush. The flat brush is ideal to paint large areas of even color or pure water or for precise color edges. The most common sizes are 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4" and 1" the sizes are in inches measured along the flat edge, or equivalent widths numbered as sizes from about 6 to 24. Now you know what commonly used watercolor brushes are, I will tell you a little bit more about some unusual brushes just so you know what people are talking about.

Like I said, most of your painting can be done with the watercolor brushes mentioned above, but there are others around. Here a list of some special bushes and a short description.

Wash brushes are brushes that extend the range of flats to much larger widths.

Mop brushes are brushes that extend the range of round brushes.

Filbert or Cat's Tongue brushes these are oval flat, like it shape already says it is a flat which comes to a point when wet like a round watercolor brush.

Acrylic brushes these are flat brushes with synthetic fiber bristles and a clear plastic handle that ends in a beveled edge.

Rigger brushes are watercolor brushes with thin very long hairs that come to a precise point.

Liner brushes are like the rigger brushes but the point is more of a round brush.

Fan watercolor brushes, brushes in the shape of a fan.

Travel brushes are exactly as the name says a brush to take with you when you travel. It is a collapsible round that closes in the tuft into the handle.