Top Watercolor Brush Brands to Elevate Your Artistry

Watercolor painting is a delicate art form that requires the right set of tools for true mastery. The quality of your brushes can significantly influence the outcome of your work, and choosing the right brand is crucial for both beginners and professionals. From durability to precision, the best watercolor brush brands offer a range of features that cater to various artistic needs and preferences. To discover some of the top recommended brands that can elevate your watercolor artwork, explore the list below.

Illustration of watercolor brushes

Best brands of watercolor brushes in 2025

Winsor & Newton

Winsor & Newton is renowned as one of the best producers of watercolor brushes, offering uncompromising quality and performance. Founded in the early 1800s by chemist William Winsor and artist Henry Newton, the company has a long-standing reputation for producing reliable art materials. Their Professional Watercolor Synthetic Sable brushes, handmade in England since the 1850s, feature a unique blend of synthetic bristles that replicate the color-carrying capacity of natural sable brushes. These brushes are 100% FSC certified, ensuring sustainable sourcing, and are available in 31 different types. With a commitment to innovation and quality, Winsor & Newton continues to dominate the market, with their watercolor paints expected to grow to $1.9 billion by 2032. Discover more about their Professional Watercolor Synthetic Brushes.

Raphael

Raphael, founded in Paris in 1793, is one of the oldest and most renowned fine art brush makers in Europe, particularly celebrated for its high-quality watercolor brushes. The company, owned and operated by the Sauer family since 1859, adheres to traditional craftsmanship, with highly skilled craftswomen undergoing years of training to produce these brushes. Raphael brushes are made from the finest hairs and bristles, hand-sorted to ensure the highest quality. This attention to detail has made Raphael a favorite among professional artists, contributing to the brand's strong market presence in the global artist brush market, which is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period from 2024 to 2033. The brand's commitment to quality and tradition has earned it a loyal customer base.

Da Vinci

Da Vinci Brushes is renowned for producing high-quality watercolor brushes, particularly the Maestro series, which stands out for its versatility, compact size, and sturdy construction, making it ideal for both travel and everyday use. The Da Vinci Maestro Pocket Brush series 1503 size 8 retains more water and releases it evenly, enhancing efficiency in painting. As a key player in the global artist brush market, Da Vinci Brushes contributes to the market's forecasted growth to $1822 million by 2030, with Europe holding a significant 36% share. The brand's watercolors have been reformulated since 2006 to include 15% more pigment, ensuring better performance and consumer satisfaction. Da Vinci Brushes are part of the top companies holding over 19% of the market share, highlighting their strong presence and reputation.

Escoda

Escoda is renowned as one of the top producers of watercolor brushes, particularly with their Reserva line, which is handcrafted from the finest Kolinsky hair sourced from Siberia. These brushes are prized for their exceptional snap, control, and ability to retain their shape, making them ideal for watercolor and plein air painting. With over 90 years of experience, Escoda continues to set high standards in the art supplies industry. Their synthetic lines are also highly versatile and perform exceptionally well, earning them a 10 out of 10 rating from many artists. Escoda's commitment to quality and innovation has solidified their position as a leader in the artist brush market.

Princeton

Princeton Artist Brush Company is renowned for producing some of the best watercolor brushes, particularly the Aqua Elite and Neptune series, which are praised for their quality and affordability. These brushes, made from synthetic kolinsky sable hair, are highly effective in watercolor painting, offering softness and excellent water and pigment retention. The Aqua Elite brushes are a favorite among watercolor artists, with their supple and springy handles enhancing the painting experience. Princeton brushes are rated highly for their performance, with the Select Artiste line also offering a wide range of shapes and sizes suitable for various artistic needs. The company's commitment to quality has made it a go-to choice for many artists. For more insights, check out this comparison of Princeton Aqua Elite and Neptune brushes.

Silver Brush Limited

Silver Brush Limited is a renowned brand in the art world, particularly celebrated for its high-quality watercolor brushes. Founded in 1990 by Dee Silver, the company has grown from humble beginnings to a global brand, providing artists with exceptional tools since its inception. Silver Brush Limited's Black Velvet series, a blend of natural squirrel hair and synthetic filaments, is highly praised for its excellent carrying capacity, control, and durability. These brushes are handmade by expert artisans and are favored by both professionals and hobbyists, including artists who have painted distinguished figures such as Pope John Paul II and several US Presidents. With a commitment to superb quality, excellent value, and outstanding service, Silver Brush Limited continues to be a top choice for artists worldwide.

Isabey

Isabey is renowned as one of the best producers of watercolor brushes, with a legacy spanning since 1793. Their brushes, such as the Isabey Fine Watercolour Brush Series 6221, are handmade in France using the finest natural fibers, including the hairs of the blue Siberian squirrel, known for their exceptional water reserve and precision. The Petit Gris (squirrel) hair used in their brushes is considered the finest natural fiber in the world, offering unparalleled color absorption and durability. Isabey's commitment to quality and craftsmanship makes their brushes ideal for details, fine lines, and retouching in watercolor painting. With a focus on both natural and synthetic fibers, Isabey caters to a wide range of artistic needs. For more details on their product range, visit Isabey's official website.

Black Gold by Dynasty

The Black Gold by Dynasty brand is renowned for producing some of the best watercolor brushes, offering premium quality and exceptional performance. These brushes feature regal black ferrules and two-toned varnished handles, and are made with multi-diameter synthetic fibers that provide great control and responsiveness. They are suitable for oils, acrylics, and watercolors, and are known for their impressive load capacity and ability to point beautifully. The Black Gold series includes a variety of brush styles such as fans, rounds, brights, flat washes, and quills, catering to both decorative painters and fine artists. With their unique design and high-performance characteristics, these brushes satisfy the demanding needs of artists.

Mimik by Creative Mark

Mimik by Creative Mark is a leading brand in producing high-quality, animal-friendly watercolor brushes, leveraging innovative synthetic hair that mimics the performance of natural squirrel and Kolinsky sable hair. These brushes excel in holding large amounts of color for extensive washes and offer superb control, response, and sharp edges. They are ideal for watercolors, gouache, and acrylics, making them a favorite among animal-friendly artists. With prices starting at $1.85, Mimik brushes offer excellent value for their performance. The synthetic bristles segment, which includes Mimik brushes, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period 2024-2030, driven by increasing demand for cruelty-free and sustainable art supplies.

Jack Richeson & Co.

Jack Richeson & Co. is renowned for producing high-quality watercolor brushes, particularly their synthetic series which offers excellent performance at an affordable price. The Series 7010 by Jack Richeson & Co., for instance, features a 1-inch synthetic flat brush that is highly praised by artists for its durability and versatility, using 11 different strands of monofilament for optimal paint and water retention. Their brushes are designed to meet the needs of both beginners and professional artists, making them a favorite among watercolor enthusiasts. The Plein Air Travel Brush Set, weighing only 5 ounces, is another example of their innovative and travel-friendly designs. With a focus on quality and practicality, Jack Richeson & Co. has established itself as a trusted brand in the art supply industry.