choosing the right watercolour brushes – are high-quality brushes worth the investment?

Watercolour painting is all about flow, control, and softness, and the right brush makes all the difference. Unlike acrylic or oil brushes, watercolour brushes need to hold a lot of water, release pigment smoothly, and maintain a precise point. But with so many options—synthetic, natural, sable, squirrel—how do you choose? And is it really worth investing in high-quality brushes? In this post, I’ll break down the differences between watercolour brushes and other painting brushes, explain the different types of bristles, and share why investing in good brushes is a game-changer for watercolour artists. Plus, I’ll introduce the only brushes I ever use for my own paintings—a handmade, professional-quality, animal-free brush set available in my shop.

how watercolour brushes differ from other paint brushes

Not all paintbrushes are created equal. Watercolour brushes are designed to handle water and pigment very differentlyfrom acrylic or oil brushes.

🖌 softer bristles – Unlike the stiff bristles of acrylic or oil brushes, watercolour brushes are made with soft, absorbent bristles that hold large amounts of water.
💧 high water-holding capacity – A good watercolour brush holds a lot of liquid and releases it gradually, preventing blotchy strokes.
◽️ shape retention – The best brushes maintain a sharp point or crisp edge, allowing for both delicate details and bold strokes.
📜 gentle on paper – Watercolour brushes are not meant for scrubbing like acrylic brushes. Instead, they glide softly over paper without damaging it.

💡 takeaway: Using the wrong brush—like a stiff acrylic brush—will ruin your watercolour technique and lead to frustrating results.

types of watercolour brushes - natural vs synthetic

Watercolour brushes come in two main categories: natural hair and synthetic. Each type behaves differently, and knowing the difference helps when choosing the right brush for your style.

natural hair brushes (high-quality, excellent water retention) – These are made from real animal hair and are the gold standard for watercolour painting. Some professional brushes are worth hundreds of dollars (just for 1 brush!)
🤍 sable hair – The best of the best. Kolinsky sable (from a type of weasel) is known for unmatched water-holding capacity, incredible point retention, and smooth pigment flow. It’s expensive but lasts for years.
🤍 squirrel hair – Holds even more water than sable, making it perfect for big, fluid washes. However, it lacks the snap and precision of sable.
🤍 goat hair – Soft and absorbent, great for mop brushes used in large backgrounds and washes.

synthetic brushes (affordable, durable, cruelty-free) – Synthetic brushes mimic natural hair but are cheaper, more durable, and completely animal-free.
🤍 synthetic sable – Designed to behave like real sable but at a fraction of the price. These are great for precision work and fine details.
🤍 nylon/polyester – Very durable, but they don’t hold water as well as natural hair. Best for beginners or mixed-media artists.

💡 takeaway: If you want smooth, controlled watercolour painting, invest in high-quality synthetic or natural hair brushes—but synthetic options now offer amazing performance without using animal products.

is it worth investing in good watercolour brushes?

The short answer? Yes.

A high-quality watercolour brush improves control, pigment flow, and longevity—all essential for mastering watercolour techniques. Here’s why investing in good brushes pays off:

🎨 better pigment flow – High-end brushes release water and pigment smoothly, preventing patchy strokes.
💦 higher water retention – A cheap brush dries too quickly, while a good brush holds water properly for soft, effortless blending.
✏️ sharper tips & better control – A quality brush retains a fine point, making detail work easier.
🕰️ longer lifespan – A well-made brush lasts years, whereas cheap ones fray and lose shape fast.

💡 takeaway: If you’re serious about watercolour, high-quality brushes will improve your technique and make painting easier and more enjoyable.

the watercolour brushes i use and recommend

When it comes to watercolour, I believe in using the best materials possible—and that includes brushes. That’s why I only use and recommend the professional-quality watercolour brush set available in my shop. I do have many, many (very expensive, squirrel hair) brushes available to me in my studio…but I still always reach for these ones.

& considering my professional as a veterinarian, they are completely animal-free, of course!

🇩🇪 handmade in germany – Crafted by expert brush makers with a focus on durability and precision.
💧 superb pigment & water holding capacity – Holds and releases water smoothly for perfect control over washes and details.
🎯 sleek ergonomic handle design – Comfortable and balanced for effortless brushwork.
🌱 completely animal-free – These high-quality synthetic brushes offer amazing performance without using animal hair.
🖌 the only brushes i use for my paintings – If you’ve ever admired my brushwork, these are the exact brushes I use in my creative practice!

💡 takeaway: If you want reliable, high-performance brushes that last, check out my handmade, cruelty-free brush set—designed for both beginners and professionals. They are professional quality, without breaking the bank.

some alternatives - cheap watercolour brushes still do the trick!

Not everyone needs high-end brushes right away, and if you’re just starting out or painting for fun, cheap watercolour brushes are absolutely fine. There’s no need to invest in expensive brushes if you’re still learning the basics or experimenting with techniques.

🖌 Great for beginners – If you’re still figuring out how water behaves on paper, a basic set will let you practice without worrying about wear and tear.
💧 Perfect for loose or experimental painting – If you love abstract washes, splatter techniques, or casual sketching, cheaper brushes work just fine.
💰 Affordable and replaceable – You won’t feel guilty if they fray or get damaged, and you can easily replace them as needed.
🎨 Great for mixed media – If you use gouache, ink, or acrylics alongside watercolour, inexpensive synthetic brushes are a versatile option.

💡 Takeaway: While professional brushes offer better control and longevity, there’s nothing wrong with using budget-friendly options—especially when you’re just getting started!

Here’s some of my favourite cheap brushes, all available on amazon:

🤍 6 piece sable hair watercolour brush set
🤍 10 piece synthetic squirrel hair watercolour brush set
🤍 9 piece sable hair watercolour brush set

something else to keep in mind when choosing watercolour brushes...

Choosing the right brush isn’t just about price—it’s about how it feels in your hand and how it interacts with water and pigment. Here are a few things to consider:

🔍 test different brushes – Every artist has personal preferences. Try different bristles and shapes to find what works for you.
🧼 take care of your brushes – Clean them properly (after every use!) and avoid leaving them in water, which can damage the ferrule.
🖌 match your brushes to your technique – If you do a lot of wet-on-wet washes, go for squirrel hair. If you love fine details, synthetic sable is best.

what's next?

If you’re looking to upgrade your watercolour setup, a high-quality brush set is one of the best investments you can make (second to paper!).

To make the most of your brushes, try:
🤍 experimenting with different brush techniques – Test dry brush, wet-on-wet, and layering with different bristles.
🤍 caring for your brushes properly – Keep them clean and store them correctly to extend their lifespan.

Let me know your go-to brushes and favourite brands—I’d love to hear what works for you! 😊🎨✨

If you’re in the mood to read more, you can check out my article on how to care for your watercolour brushes. Or perhaps you’d like to know more about professional watercolour paper. If you want some juicy tips for ‘getting in the zone’, I also wrote an article on creative flow state. If none of that interests you, browse all my articles for more artsy goodness. 😊🎨

referenced in this article

☼ Bower, P. (2018). Understanding brush quality in fine art. Oxford University Press.

☼ Smith, R. (2015). Mastering watercolors: A practical guide. HarperCollins.

☼ Tate, J. (2010). The history of watercolour techniques. London: Tate Publishing.

questions answered in this article

☼ How are watercolour brushes different from acrylic or oil brushes?
☼ What are the different types of watercolour brushes?
☼ Is it worth investing in high-quality watercolour brushes?
☼ What kind of watercolour brushes do professional artists use?
☼ Which watercolour brushes do I personally use and recommend?

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hi, i’m sarah, an australian artist head-over-heels for watercolour & creative practice- it truely is good for your soul.

& this ↑, is my girl alys.

i am completely self-taught in all the mediums i use & i am here to share everything i know with you!

i write about all things creativity, watercolour, gouache, hand-made ceramics, collecting art, & my own artistic process. I have degrees in human psychology & veterinary medicine- so you might find some sporadic related facts in my writing.

disc.- the above article may contain affiliate links. that means that at no extra cost to you, I may receive a small commission from the purchases made through these links. I only recommend products I have bought myself, use, and love!