Art store panic? I once left with zero brushes.
Too many choices. Round, flat, mop, dagger, filbert, fan. Sable, synthetic, squirrel, hog. Size 000 to size 24. Brands I'd never heard of with confusing level systems. "Am I Level 2?"
Walked out empty-handed. Painted nothing that day.
Here's what I wish someone had told me: five brushes handle 90% of watercolor strokes. Three rounds, one flat, maybe one detail brush. That's it.
We're covering which brush shapes actually matter, synthetic vs sable (spoiler: synthetic wins for beginners), the three essential sizes, and specific brushes that won't waste your money.
Stop overthinking. Start painting.
Watercolor Brush Basics: Shapes, Materials & Why They Matter
Start simple. Synthetics rule for beginners.
Brush Shapes Decoded
Round brushes = your MVP.
Pointed tip, full belly, does everything. Washes, details, medium strokes. If you buy one brush, make it round size 6.
Rounds hold water in the belly, release gradually through the tip. Sharp point = fine lines. Full belly = broad washes. Versatile doesn't begin to describe it.
Flat brushes = edges and boldness.
Squared-off tip. Great for straight edges, architectural details, bold rectangular strokes. Turn on its side for thin lines. Good second brush after rounds.
Skip these for now:
- Mop (too specialized, awkward for beginners)
- Dagger/sword (advanced technique brushes)
- Fan (texture effects, rarely needed)
- Filbert (somewhere between round and flat, confusing)
Master rounds first. Add flats second. Ignore everything else until you've painted 50+ pieces.
Materials: Synthetic vs. Sable
Sable (animal hair):
- Holds tons of water
- Soft, almost "moppy" feel
- Expensive ($40-200 per brush)
- Kolinsky sable = finest/priciest
Synthetic (nylon/polyester):
- Holds less water (actually helps beginners with control)
- Firmer snap-back (returns to shape)
- Cheap ($5-20 per brush)
- More durable, easier to clean
Synthetic sable blend:
- Middle ground on water hold
- Good snap-back
- Mid-price ($15-30)
Beginner verdict: Start synthetic. Period.
Why? Less water = easier control. Cheaper = less fear of "ruining" expensive brushes. Firmer = better feedback for learning. Save sable for later when you know your painting style.
Brush anatomy quick reference:
- Tip: The point (sharp = good)
- Belly: Fat part holding water
- Ferrule: Metal part connecting bristles to handle
- Handle: Grip (longer = more control at distance)
Quality brushes maintain sharp tips and return to shape after each stroke. Cheap brushes splay, lose points, shed bristles. You'll fight them constantly.
Best Watercolor Brushes for Beginners: 3 Must-Have Picks
Grab these. Paint today. Stop researching.
Princeton Series 3750 Select Synthetic
Sizes to get: 2, 6, 12
Price: ~$7-12 per brush
Pros:
- Good snap-back (returns to shape)
- Decent sharp point
- Won't break the bank
- Available everywhere
Cons:
- Holds less water than you'll eventually want
- Point isn't razor-sharp
Best for: Absolute beginners testing if watercolor clicks. Reliable without investment anxiety.
Winsor & Newton Cotman Series
Sizes to get: 2, 6, 12
Price: ~$8-15 per brush
Pros:
- Better water hold than Princeton 3750
- Good shape retention
- Trusted brand, easy to find
Cons:
- Point less sharp than you'll want later
- Slightly pricier for similar performance
Best for: Beginners wanting name-brand reliability.
Tobio's 5-Brush Water Brush Set
What you get: Multiple sizes with water reservoir handles
Price: $7.95 (on sale)
Pros:
- Water stored in handle (no cup needed)
- Perfect for Tobio's portable kit
- All essential sizes included
- Travel-friendly
Cons:
- Different feel than traditional brushes
- Flow takes practice to control
Best for: Painting on the go, eliminating water cup hassle, beginners who want portability.
My recommendation: Get one traditional round (Princeton or W&N size 6) for home painting. Add Tobio's water brush set for portable work. Covers all situations.
Brush Sizes & Flat Guide: What Size for What Stroke
Size = control. Pick right size for the job.
Round Brush Sizes Explained
Size 2 (small round):
- Fine details
- Tiny paintings (postcard size)
- Tight control work
- Lettering, botanical details
- Second brush to buy
Size 6 (medium round):
- Most versatile size
- Medium washes
- General painting
- Details when used on tip
- START HERE if buying only one brush
Size 8 (slightly larger than 6):
- Alternative to size 6
- Bit more water capacity
- Still handles details
Size 12 (large round):
- Big washes
- Background skies
- Bold strokes
- Covering large areas fast
- Third brush to add
Size progression for beginners:
- Size 6 (your workhorse)
- Size 2 (when details frustrate you)
- Size 12 (when you're ready to paint bigger)
Don't buy size 0 or 00 yet. Size 2 handles details fine. Smaller brushes hold almost no water, annoying for beginners.
Flat Brush: What Size for Beginner Watercolor Painting
1/2 inch flat = your starter flat
- Wide enough for bold strokes
- Narrow enough for control
- Turn on edge for thin lines
- Square off edges cleanly
When to use flats:
- Architectural paintings (buildings, windows)
- Abstract geometric shapes
- Bold rectangular marks
- Wet-on-dry sharp edges
When rounds work better:
- Organic shapes (flowers, trees, people)
- Soft blended areas
- Most general painting
Verdict: Buy one 1/2" flat after you've painted with rounds for a month. See if you actually need it. Many painters rarely use flats.
Level Up: Premium Brushes, Waterbrushes & Care
Keep them sharp. Last years.
When to Upgrade: Premium Options
After painting 30+ pieces with beginner brushes, if you're hooked, consider:
Princeton Heritage 4050 Synthetic Sable
- Better snap-back than 3750 series
- Sharper point
- Holds more water
- ~$15-20 per brush
- These are my daily painters now
Escoda Prado Tame Synthetic
- Professional-level synthetic
- Razor-sharp point
- Excellent water capacity
- ~$20-30 per brush
- Worth it if you paint 3+ times weekly
Don't upgrade until beginner brushes frustrate you. That feeling = signal you're ready for better tools.
Waterbrushes: Travel Only
What they are: Plastic brushes with water stored in barrel handle. Squeeze to release water.
Good for:
- Travel sketching
- Plein air painting
- Watercolor pencils
- Situations with no water access
Not good for:
- Studio painting at home
- Fine control (water flow unpredictable)
- Learning watercolor fundamentals
Verdict: Great as portable supplement to traditional brushes. Terrible as only brushes. Tobio's water brush set works perfectly with the portable kit for travel.
Brush Care: Make Them Last
After each session:
- Rinse thoroughly. Lukewarm water. Swirl in palm with gentle soap if paint buildup.
- Reshape while wet. Swirl to point. Flick excess water out.
- Store upright. Bristles up in jar or brush holder. Never bristles-down (bends tips permanently).
What kills brushes:
- Leaving in water jar (loosens ferrule, bends bristles)
- Hot water (damages bristles)
- Storing damp in closed container (mildew)
- Letting paint dry in ferrule (ruins shape)
Pro tip: Reshape bristles with saliva after rinsing (sounds gross, works amazingly). Natural oils condition bristles.
Quality brushes last years with basic care. I've used same Princeton Heritage brushes for 3+ years, still perfect points.
Brush Care: Make Them Last
After each session:
- Rinse thoroughly. Lukewarm water. Swirl in palm with gentle soap if paint buildup.
- Reshape while wet. Swirl to point. Flick excess water out.
- Store upright. Bristles up in jar or brush holder. Never bristles-down (bends tips permanently).
What kills brushes:
- Leaving in water jar (loosens ferrule, bends bristles)
- Hot water (damages bristles)
- Storing damp in closed container (mildew)
- Letting paint dry in ferrule (ruins shape)
Pro tip: Reshape bristles with saliva after rinsing (sounds gross, works amazingly). Natural oils condition bristles.
Quality brushes last years with basic care. I've used same Princeton Heritage brushes for 3+ years, still perfect points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What brushes do you need for watercolor beginners?
What brushes do you need for watercolor beginners?
Three rounds (sizes 2, 6, 12) and one 1/2" flat. Start with size 6 round if buying only one. Synthetic material. Budget $30-50 total.
What are the best watercolor brushes under $20?
What are the best watercolor brushes under $20?
Princeton 3750 series or Winsor & Newton Cotman. Both synthetic, both reliable. Size 6 round runs $7-12. Tobio's water brush set includes multiple sizes for €6.95.
What size flat brush for beginner watercolor painting?
What size flat brush for beginner watercolor painting?
1/2 inch. Wide enough for bold strokes, narrow enough to control. Larger flats (3/4" or 1") too big for beginners. Smaller flats (1/4") too tiny to be useful.
Synthetic or sable first?
Synthetic or sable first?
Synthetic. Cheaper, easier to control (less water), more durable. Sable is beautiful but unnecessary until you know your painting style. Save $100+.
How to clean watercolor brushes?
How to clean watercolor brushes?
Rinse under lukewarm water after each session. Gentle soap if needed. Reshape while wet. Store bristles-up. Never leave sitting in water or store damp in closed container.
Do I need a mop brush?
Do I need a mop brush?
No. Large round (size 12) does everything mop does but with more control. Mops hold excessive water—awkward for beginners. Skip entirely for now.
Ready to paint? Grab Tobio's Brush Set!
Ready to paint? Grab Tobio's Brush Set!
Water brush set includes multiple sizes with built-in water reservoirs. Perfect for Tobio's portable kit or solo use. $7.95.
Ready to Paint? Grab Your Starter Set
Five brushes = confidence. Stop researching. Start painting.
You don't need the whole art store. You need:
- One size 6 round (your workhorse)
- One size 2 round (details)
- One size 12 round (washes)
- One 1/2" flat (optional but useful)
- Care routine (rinse, reshape, store upright)
That's literally it.
Tobio's Water Brush Set → Multiple sizes with water storage. $7.95. Perfect for beginners and travel.
Complete Watercolor Kit → Includes brushes, paints, paper, palette. Everything to start painting today. $35.99.
Show your first brushstrokes below. Tag us. We love seeing what people create with simple tools.