Buying guide: Watercolour Brushes

Buying guide: Watercolour Brushes

Which is the best watercolour brush? The answer depends on who you are and what you’re painting. There’s no single brush that suits everyone, but there is one that’s right for you. Are you looking for perfect control for fine details? A brush that holds lots of water? Or an affordable set to get started? In this guide, we’ll do our best to help you find the right one.

Best sable hair watercolour brushes

Sable hair is the most classic choice among watercolour artists. The natural hairs have a unique ability to hold water and pigment while maintaining a sharp point. The result? Smooth transitions, controlled lines and a flowing painting experience.

See all sable hair brushes →

Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush 4

Winsor & Newton

Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush 4

£37.50

Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush 00

Winsor & Newton

Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush 00

£15.90

Cartoonist Menso Brush Kolinsky S

ZIG Kuretake

Cartoonist Menso Brush Kolinsky S

£13.50

Pure Kolinsky Sable Brush Round 8404 St 5/0

Raphaël

Pure Kolinsky Sable Brush Round 8404 St 5/0

£13.50

Pure Kolinsky Sable Brush Round 8404 St 5

Raphaël

Pure Kolinsky Sable Brush Round 8404 St 5

£48.50

Best synthetic watercolour brushes

Synthetic brushes have developed enormously in recent years. They are durable, affordable and available in many different shapes and sizes. They are also easy to clean, perfect for artists who want to focus on the painting itself.

See the full range of synthetic watercolour brushes →

Professional Brush Rigger Size 0

Winsor & Newton

Professional Brush Rigger Size 0

£7.20

Neptune Synthetic brush Mc Professionnel 4-set

Princeton

Neptune Synthetic brush Mc Professionnel 4-set

£65

Watercolor brush series 52 Oval Wash Nr 1

Aquafine

Watercolor brush series 52 Oval Wash Nr 1

£20

Cotman Brush - Series 667 Angled 1/2

Winsor & Newton

Cotman Brush - Series 667 Angled 1/2

£9.60

Symbiose Brush Flat St 20

Raphaël

Symbiose Brush Flat St 20

£5.60

Best Kolinsky watercolour brushes

Kolinsky sable is the finest type of sable hair and often the most exclusive. These brushes offer exceptional spring, precision, and water-holding capacity. They’re more expensive, but for many, they’re a long-term investment that lasts for years.

See all Kolinsky watercolour brushes →

Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush 4

Winsor & Newton

Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush 4

£37.50

Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush 00

Winsor & Newton

Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush 00

£15.90

Cartoonist Menso Brush Kolinsky S

ZIG Kuretake

Cartoonist Menso Brush Kolinsky S

£13.50

Pure Kolinsky Sable Brush Round 8404 St 5/0

Raphaël

Pure Kolinsky Sable Brush Round 8404 St 5/0

£13.50

Pure Kolinsky Sable Brush Round 8404 St 5

Raphaël

Pure Kolinsky Sable Brush Round 8404 St 5

£48.50

Best vegan watercolour brushes

Want to paint without animal products? No problem. Today there are synthetic alternatives that imitate sable hair with impressive results. Vegan brushes hold their shape well and are perfect for both beginners and experienced painters.

See the full range of vegan watercolour brushes →

Memory Point Round Size 5

KUM

Memory Point Round Size 5

£5.40

Neptune Synthetic brush Professionnel 4-set

Princeton

Neptune Synthetic brush Professionnel 4-set

£109

Velvetouch Synthetic Brush short handle Professional 4-set

Princeton

Velvetouch Synthetic Brush short handle Professional 4-set

£65

Velvetouch Synthetic Brush short handle Long Rund St 12

Princeton

Velvetouch Synthetic Brush short handle Long Rund St 12

£18.90

Neptune Synthetic brush short handle Aquarelle Flat size 1

Princeton

Neptune Synthetic brush short handle Aquarelle Flat size 1

£27.90

Best watercolour brushes for beginners

As a beginner, it is common to choose brushes that are easy to control and that do not cost a fortune. A smart choice is synthetic brushes or brushes made from mixed materials. These brushes can handle frequent use and are less delicate, while still giving you an excellent feel for the technique.

See the full range of watercolour brushes →

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set L

Raphaël

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set L

£6.20

Graduate Synthetic Brush Round 12

Daler-Rowney

Graduate Synthetic Brush Round 12

£3.90

Cotman Brush 4-set

Winsor & Newton

Cotman Brush 4-set

£21.90

Round-tipped brushes 5-set Watercolour

Primo

Round-tipped brushes 5-set Watercolour

£10.50

Symbiose Brush Flat St 20

Raphaël

Symbiose Brush Flat St 20

£5.60

Best luxury watercolour brushes

If you're looking for the very best, we offer brushes with handcrafted details, the finest hair, and a truly luxurious feel. They provide maximum control and sensitivity with every brushstroke.

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Kazan Squirrel Quill Mop Brush 803 Size 1

Raphaël

Kazan Squirrel Quill Mop Brush 803 Size 1

£25.50

Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush 3

Winsor & Newton

Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush 3

£29.50

Neptune Synthetic brush short handle Quill size 6

Princeton

Neptune Synthetic brush short handle Quill size 6

£42

Velvetouch Synthetic Brush short handle Mini Spotter St 20/0

Princeton

Velvetouch Synthetic Brush short handle Mini Spotter St 20/0

£7

Pure Kolinsky Sable Brush Round 8404 St 1

Raphaël

Pure Kolinsky Sable Brush Round 8404 St 1

£18.90

Best watercolour brushes in sets

A brush set is perfect if you want to try different sizes and shapes. It is also an excellent option for beginners or as a gift for a creative friend.

See the full range of watercolour brush sets →

Cotman Brush 4-set

Winsor & Newton

Cotman Brush 4-set

£21.90

Neptune Synthetic brush Mc Professionnel 4-set

Princeton

Neptune Synthetic brush Mc Professionnel 4-set

£65

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set XL

Raphaël

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set XL

£7.20

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set S

Raphaël

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set S

£3.80

Velvetouch Synthetic Brush short handle Professional 4-set

Princeton

Velvetouch Synthetic Brush short handle Professional 4-set

£65

Most affordable watercolour brushes

You do not need to empty your wallet to get good brushes. Here you will find our most affordable options, carefully selected to offer great quality at a really good price.

See the full range of watercolour brushes →

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set L

Raphaël

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set L

£6.20

Graduate Synthetic Brush Round 6

Daler-Rowney

Graduate Synthetic Brush Round 6

£3.90

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set M

Raphaël

Campus Watercolour Brush 3-set M

£4.60

Cotman Brush 4-set

Winsor & Newton

Cotman Brush 4-set

£21.90

Round-tipped brushes 5-set Watercolour

Primo

Round-tipped brushes 5-set Watercolour

£10.50

Best storage for watercolour brushes

Great brushes deserve great storage. With the right case, you can protect the tip, stay organised, and extend the life of your tools.

See all watercolour brush storage →

Brush Case Short brushes 17 pockets

Pen Store Arts

Brush Case Short brushes 17 pockets

£11

Brush Case Long brushes 17 pockets

Pen Store Arts

Brush Case Long brushes 17 pockets

£12.90

Multipurpose brush case 32 cm

Primo

Multipurpose brush case 32 cm

£3.20

T190 Trunk Shape Toolbox Blue

TOYO Steel Company

T190 Trunk Shape Toolbox Blue

£26.90

Dopp Pack Black

Ykra

Dopp Pack Black

£60

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Lowest price 1-30 days before price reduction:

The reference price is the lowest price applied to the product 1-30 days before the relevant price cut was implemented. The exception is if gradual reductions have been made, in which case the lowest price 1-30 days before the first price reduction is shown.