Watercolour brushes are built for precision. A clean, well-shaped brush lets you glide colour across paper, lift pigment gently, and create clean washes and soft edges. When your brush is looked after, you’ll notice the difference every time it hits the paper.
💧 Maintains water-holding capacity and pigment flow.
🖌 Makes painting easier, especially with layering and blending.
💸 Saves you money in the long run—no need to replace them constantly.
💡 takeaway: Happy brush = smooth strokes, soft blends, and more joy in your painting practice. So let’s learn how to care for watercolour brushes!
Watercolour paint is gentle, but leaving any pigment to dry in your brush can shorten its lifespan fast.
💧 Swirl your brush gently in clean, lukewarm water after each use.
🖌 Gently reshape the bristles with your fingers.
📜 Lay flat or hang to dry—never store bristles-up while wet!
💡 takeaway: Letting water sit in the ferrule (the metal part) can loosen the glue and ruin your brush. A quick rinse = long-term happiness.
Every now and then, your brush needs more than a rinse. If it’s losing its shape or the bristles feel tacky, it’s time for a proper clean.
🧼 Use a mild, artist-safe brush soap or unscented baby shampoo.
🎨 Lather gently in the palm of your hand.
💫 Rinse thoroughly and reshape before drying.
💡 takeaway: Harsh detergents can damage delicate watercolour brushes—gentle is always better.
The way you dry and store your watercolour brushes makes a huge difference to their longevity.
🤍 Lay them flat on a clean towel to dry.
🤍 Store flat or upright (once completely dry) in a roll, jar, or brush holder.
🤍 Keep them somewhere cool and dry—away from moisture and direct sunlight.
💡 takeaway: Proper storage = fewer bent bristles and more painting joy.
Watercolour brushes might be softer than oil or acrylic ones, but that also makes them more fragile.
🚫 Never leave them soaking in water—it breaks down the glue in the ferrule.
🚫 Don’t let paint dry in the brush—it stiffens the bristles and ruins the tip.
🚫 Don’t scrub or press too hard—watercolour is about flow, not force.
🚫 Never use watercolour brushes for acrylics or other thicker paints.
💡 takeaway: Treat them like tools, not toothbrushes!
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.
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
Here’s what I do in my little home studio (with Alys curled up nearby, of course 🐶):
🫧 I rinse my brushes after every colour change (not just at the end).
☕️ I always paint with a cup of tea nearby (and try not to dip my brush in it).
📦 I store my brushes in a vintage pencil roll—it keeps them neat and safe.
🖌 I only use my handmade, synthetic brushes from my shop—they’re animal-free and perfect for watercolour. You can check them out here.
💡 takeaway: Find a little brush-care ritual that feels like part of your creative process.
Want your brushes to last longer and perform better? Just a little care makes a big difference.
🤍 Give them a quick rinse after every session.
🤍 Deep clean them gently when needed.
🤍 Store them thoughtfully—flat or upright once dry.
If you’re looking for the exact brushes I use, they’re available here. Handmade in Germany, 100% synthetic, and completely animal-free. I genuinely love them and wouldn’t paint with anything else. 🎨 Even though I have heaps of (very expensive) brushes in my studio, I always reach for the same ones! & care for them as best as I can.
Have any brush care questions? Send me a message—I’d love to help! 💌🖌✨
If you’re in the mood to read more, you can check out my article on choosing the right watercolour brushes. Or perhaps you’d like you read up on professional watercolour paper. If neither of them interest you, you can browse all my articles for more artsy goodness. 😊🎨
☼ 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.
☼ How do I clean my watercolour brushes?
☼ What’s the best way to dry and store them?
☼ Can I use soap on my brushes?
☼ What are the biggest brush care mistakes to avoid?
☼ Why does caring for watercolour brushes matter?
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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.
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