What’s that tool that you need when wanting to start with watercolor, the one that moves paint around? Oh yeah, a paint brush but where to start? If you look up watercolor brushes there are so many choices. Not only are there many companies to choose from but also materials being used. Do you want to use natural hair brushes or synthetic? What is the difference? I asked all these questions when starting out exploring watercolor.
Again, I asked all these questions when I wanted to switch from acrylic painting to watercolor. I knew there was a difference in supplies I needed but I didn’t know what exactly I was looking at. I started again just purchasing at my local arts and craft stores to get me started. I wanted to talk to someone direct about what they felt was better. I decided to discuss this with a published watercolor artist that I have high respect for.
She clearly explained that natural hair like kolinsky or squirrel hair absorbs a lot of watercolor and pigment. This makes it easier for large painting applications. The brushes also snap back to a point on round brushes making it easier to create fine detail. She did say that over time the synthetic brushes have improved and mimic natural hair better.
In my large collection of brushes, I have natural hair, synthetic hair and some are a mix of the two. Some people don’t like the idea of an animal being killed to make natural hair brushes and I respect that. I do however see how they hold so much water and pigment making it easier to paint large areas. Some of the synthetics I have tried do mimic natural hair while others don’t really hold enough water. If your against using natural hair brushes, I would say to out a few different synthetics to see what you like.
