Watercolour Brushes I love
My Go-To Watercolour Brushes (and Why)
Choosing watercolour brushes can feel surprisingly overwhelming. There are so many brands, shapes, sizes, and price points that it’s hard to know where to begin — especially if you’re new to watercolour or looking to upgrade a few well-used brushes.
Over time, I’ve learned that you don’t need lots of brushes or the most expensive ones. What really matters is finding a small selection of brushes that feel good in your hand, hold water well, and behave reliably on paper.
In this post, I’m sharing a little about the types of brushes I enjoy using most — and where you can find my full recommended brush list if you’d like to explore further.
What I Look for in a Watercolour Brush
When I’m choosing a brush, I’m always thinking about how it performs rather than how it looks. The brushes I reach for regularly tend to have a few things in common:
- They hold a good amount of water without flooding the paper
- They keep their shape and don’t splay as they’re used
- The bristles don’t shed into the paint
- They offer a nice balance between control and flow
- They’re good quality without being overly expensive
These qualities make painting feel calmer and more enjoyable — especially when practising brush control, florals, leaves, and loose illustration work.
Do You Need Expensive Brushes?
This is something I’m asked often, and the honest answer is no.
While very cheap brushes can be frustrating (losing bristles, poor water control), you don’t need to spend a fortune to paint beautifully. Many affordable, well-made brushes perform brilliantly and last a long time if they’re cared for properly.
I prefer to recommend brushes that are:
- accessible for beginners
- enjoyable for more experienced painters
- versatile enough for everyday painting
The Brushes I Use Most Often
Rather than owning lots of brushes, I tend to work with a small, reliable selection that I know well. These are brushes I use regularly for:
- petals and leaves
- stems and fine details
- loose washes and expressive strokes
- practising brush control exercises
Because I’m often asked exactly which brushes I use and enjoy, I’ve put together a detailed list of my recommended watercolour brushes, including the brands I reach for most.
Where to Find My Full Brush List
If you’d like to see the full list of brushes I love, along with more detail about why I enjoy each one, I’ve shared this as a resource on my Patreon.
On Patreon, you’ll find:
- the brush brands I regularly use
- helpful notes on what each brush is good for
- additional watercolour guides and tutorials
- printable resources and painting support
It’s a calm, supportive space where I share extended content for those who want to go a little deeper with their watercolour practice.
You can explore the full brush list on my Patreon here
A Gentle Reminder
If you’re just starting out, remember that progress comes from practice, patience, and play, not from having the “perfect” supplies. Use what you have, experiment freely, and slowly build a toolkit that works for you.
I hope this helps take some of the pressure out of choosing brushes — and encourages you to enjoy the process of painting a little more.
Happy painting,
Michelle 🌿
