Make Painting Watercolours More Interesting and Fun with the Right Brush
Art is a universal language, and while it may seem like making art is limited only to those with specific talents, the truth is that it’s for everyone. Self-expression is a part of human nature and a basic human desire that we all experience at some point in life. You don’t have to be a great artist, but you can try your hand at creating something through painting, and you may be surprised to find out how much fun it can be.
Starting to paint can be daunting because there are so many supplies to choose from. For starters, you will need to buy a watercolour brush as it’s the most crucial element of a painting kit. It is light and delicate, with soft bristles that can be easily moved around the page, unlike an oil or acrylic brush that has thick, tough bristles to move the thick paint.
Picking the right brush is like finding the perfect tool for a job, but with so many different options out there, it can turn into an overwhelming task. The right brush can make your painting experience smoother and help you achieve beautiful strokes and fine details that will make your art pop and it’s always a good idea to have a variety of quality brushes at hand and be prepared for any artistic challenge.
How to Choose the Right Watercolour Brush
Consider Brush Hair: Synthetic or Natural Hair?
Natural brushes for watercolouring are made from animal hair, hold more water, and have a softer shape. Synthetic brushes, on the other hand, are made from synthetic fibres to mimic animal hair in a cruelty-free way. They’re tough and feature a solid snap back into shape.
Pick the Right Brush Shape for Your Projects
Watercolour brushes are available in many different shapes, and today we’ll explore the most common ones. Understanding each brush type’s specific uses and strengths can enhance your painting technique and help you make the most of each aspect of your artwork.
Round
These are the most common options available. They’re versatile, 2-in-1 stroke brushes. The tip of the brush comes to a fine point, perfect for detailed work, while the body can hold a decent amount of paint or water for broader strokes.
Flat
They’re great for lines, edges, geometric shapes and washes. A large flat brush is great for blending as it can cover the paper quickly, ensuring equal water content.
Mop
It’s like a round, full version of the washbrush. It features a large, rounded shape and is great for laying down large washes of colour and creating smooth gradients. A mop brush can hold a lot of water and paint and works perfectly for wet-on-wet techniques and covering big surfaces quickly and efficiently.
Dagger
Like flat brushes, but slanted, they’re the no.1 choice for sweeping strokes and fine details. The only difference between them and flat brushes is the sharp edge or corner.
Filbert
The filbert brush features an oval-shaped tip and sits somewhere in between a round and a flat brush, bringing together the benefits of both. It’s a great choice for blending and softening edges, creating varied stroke widths, and more.
Detail
The most common detail brushes are spotters and riggers. The main difference between the two is that riggers have longer bristles than spotters and they give you longer loads. Riggers are great for thin lines and larger details, while spotters are ideal for smaller details.
Understanding Brush Sizes
Brush sizes are numbered, most often from 0 to 10, and increase in intervals of two or more, all the way to 24 or even more. The bigger the number, the wider the brush, but remember that sizes can differ between brands.
Many artists use size 6 round brushes, which are medium size. You can use smaller round sizes like 1 or 2 for details and bigger sizes like 12 or 16 round brushes for larger work. If you’re buying your first brush for watercolour, go for one small brush, a detail brush or a round size 2, one medium round brush, one large round, one filbert brush, and a large flat brush. This way you’ll get yourself a well-rounded collection for painting anything from flowers to landscapes, portraits, objects, and more in any style you want.
When it comes to mop brushes, be aware that their sizes are different than regular watercolour brushes. A size 6 mop brush, for instance, is very large. If you’re starting painting, a size 2 mop is a good choice.
Final Thoughts
A watercolour brush is one of the essential painting art supplies every aspiring artist needs. Take proper care of your brushes; always rinse them thoroughly after use. For stubborn paint residue, you can use a mild soap and clean the bristles carefully. Then gently use your fingers to reshape the bristles to their original form and let them dry flat or with the bristles pointing down; just make sure they’re not pressed or bent up against anything. Avoid soaking the handles, as wooden handles can swell, crack, or warp over time. Once cleaned and dried, store your brushes upright, protect them from dust and damage, and check for any signs of wear or damage before use.
