Brushes, brushes, and more brushes

[Julia Proulx]

I have started watching a youtubes on buying and using brushes. I like the demos of how the paint distributes from the various types of brushes. Brush techniques are still new to me, since I haven’t taken a formal class yet. If anyone has great videos, please post.

Here is one by Denise Soden:

[Debra “Kate” Powell]

Thanks Julia.  Brushes are a pain for me.  I have had favorite brushes and the name has worn off (did I think to write it down, NO!) and I have trouble finding what I like.  I don’t do hair brushes — I don’t want to kill critters for brushes — that is just me.  I buy synthetics. And I have some very cheap brushes (not just inexpensive but cheap) that I’ve loved — I buy them for our shop as I use them in the furniture conservation business.  I don’t want to waste $$ on expensive brushes as sometimes they are trashed in one sitting.  In those cases I go for Princeton’s package brushes (Blick’s sell them) and often I love them for my artwork.

Currently I am happiest with Da Vinci Cosmotops.  I have some Loew-Cornell brushes (older) that I still love.   It is completel;y personal, brushes, and soem people here will love the two I am about to name as not-loved-at-all, but I don’t love Escoda Versatil or Escoda Prado.

BUT BUT BUT, one thing that I have learned, is to keep a brush for awhile and continue to play with it.  Sometimes they break in (more like me breaking in) like comfortable shoes after awhile.

[Nichole Fraser Nichols]

Oh I love her work, she’s very inspiring! 💚

[Stefan Fritsch]

I have known and followed a few channels and videos that you might find helpful:
– The Virtual Instructor with their video on “Types of Watercolor Brushes and How to Use Them” for an in-depth look at different brush types and how to use them.
– The Mind of Watercolor: This channel is dedicated entirely to watercolor painting.
– Anna Mason Art: Anna Mason is a well-known watercolor artist who shares her techniques and tips on her YouTube channel.