Comparing and testing BRUSHES for GOUACHE (flats) ✶ Synthetic & under £20
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ค. 2024
- How do you define your PERFECT gouache brush? I have lots of criteria, and after 5 years I've narrowed my focus to preferring long, soft, synthetic, flat brushes. Today I'll compare 13 brushes, show you closeups of each one in action, then take two for a longer test drive. Along the way I'll share as much insights into the process and results as I can!
This is just the beginning, there will be many more tests and reviews throughout the year.
FULL BLOG POST with full reviews, prices, links:
➤ bit.ly/sbgouachebrushes
00:00 Intro
00:49 My perfect gouache brush
First impressions
02:56 Silver Art Sherpa
03:30 Davinci Casaneo
04:01 Jackson's brand (two)
06:44 Daler Rowney
07:37 Handover One Stroke
08:30 Pro Arte Prolene Plus
09:17 Royal & Langnickel
10:33 Wet Wash Tests
11:25 Davinci Casaneo
12:33 Jackson's
13:52 Pro Arte Prolene Plus
14:33 Handover One Stroke
15:27 Royal & Langnickel
Test paintings
16:44 Davinci Casaneo
20:31 Pro Arte Prolene Plus
-----------------------------------
➤ My Supply List: bit.ly/SBfavesupplies
➤ Tutorials & Blog: fearlessbrush.com/painting/
➤ Patreon: bit.ly/sburnspatreon
➤ Instagram: bit.ly/sburnsinsta
➤ Prints, Originals + More: bit.ly/sarahburnsbuyart
➤ Website: bit.ly/sburnsweb
Some of these are affiliate links which help support my channel! I receive a small portion from each purchase when you use my affiliate links. - บันเทิง
I need to comment and say that whenever I say "bristles" I mean hairs. Oops! I don't know how I got into that habit 😆
Whats the difference?
@@kathyhackney7950 I think bristles in English specifically means short stiff hair
I always call them bristles. 😁 Is that incorrect?
@@moma-b As my reply to Sarah: Bristles are usually the hog hair brushes, whereas anything soft is 'hair', whether synthetic or not.
Hope this helps! 😊
@@SarahBurnsStudio Bristles are usually the hog hair brushes, whereas anything soft is 'hair', whether synthetic or not.
Hope this helps! 😊
Excellent brush tests. I noticed how you do everything with one flat brush watching your recent gouache tests. I love how versatile you can make one brush! The Casaneo is a synthetic squirrel, so I'm actually surprised you made it work as well as you did. It's great for watercolor. Oto Kano who has a watercolor channel here on YT loves the Prolene ProArte, she uses it for all her swatching. I always wish you folks in the UK would feature Rosemary & Company brushes. They are made there and they are fabulous and so affordable. Rosemary has such a huge line of Golden bristle brushes!
Sarah, Art Basics have a 1/2" Long hair flat brushe. I have the 1/2" & 1/4". 1/2" is 18cm from farrel to end of handle. Hair length is 2.8cm. If you can't find them, I can send some to you as my local Art Shop sells them. Thank for the video 🤗
Thanks, I’ll look for it!
I'm new to Gouache; it's been watercolor for me. This helps a lot Sarah. TY
This looks like a definitely useful exercise - one that I've never done ever with my brushes! LOL! I just buy and use them and learn along the way. Now I want to pull a few of my already favorites out and really see what they are capable of besides my usual method of working.
That first painting you did was a beauty, too. I've said it before, but have to say again - I love watching you paint.
To me a brush is like an extension of my hand so I love finding all the little nuanced differences
Thanks for sharing this Sarah! I don’t mind watching long videos from you. I actually enjoyed it and love watching and hearing your thoughts and sharing your learnings.. 💚💙
Thank you Sarah for this video it was very helpful. Love your paintings.
I love CASS art shop... Windsor and Newton Cotman brushes for my watercolour painting Cass art brushes Daler Rowney Aquafine Prorate Prolene it's such a happy vibe art shops. Thanks for sharing Sarah 💜
Watching you paint is so magical :)
Absolutely love this video. Thank you SOOOO MUCH!
This was such a helpful video as I’ve still not broken out my gouache paints, partly as I’m still not sure how to use them, but also as I only have round brushes and have mainly seen you use flat brushes so didn’t know what to buy. I’m going to buy a couple of the ones you’ve suggested thank you 😊
Thank you, this is so useful. I only discovered you last week and I have watched quite a few of your videos since! I'm really enjoying them all, thank you!
Welcome! So glad you are enjoying them 😊
For the petit gris brushes, the round ones with a very large body but small tip. For these ones, I prefer the Da Vinci Cassaneo brushes series because they hold so much water and en plein air when i work with watercolors or water soluble graphite, it does everything i need it to.
Interesting study on brushes, Sarah, thank you!!! I'll be much more mindful now; might have to do my own testing!!! I have to say that I LOVE both of these little paintings and so enjoyed watching you produce them! 💙💚
Thank you and I'm glad it was helpful!
I got some Daler Rowney brushes from Michael's here in the U.S. I quite like them. They hold up to my grinding them into the surface really well. 😅
I really need to play with flat brushes more. I have gotten very much into the habit of just reaching for my rounds...
Very useful, thanks!
I learned so much from this video, thank you!
Ooohhh!! I really like the royal langnickel white taklon ones as well ! I'm stupidly glad you found and featured them haha! Thank you for your videos and the work you put into them
They surprised me!
Thank you for this wonderful video. Any acquired knowledge about art supplies costs much money and time, both of which are in generally short supply. Thank you for your generosity in sharing what you've learned.
Wow! That was so helpful. Thank you and I love listening to your voice, it’s so beautiful.
💜
Royal & Langernickel makes more professional brushes that are my favorites.
This was very useful, thank you. 😊
I've been playing with several brands. I'll now try those cheap ones too. Very helpful.
Super helpful. Thank you!
I have a couple of caseneo brushes and I fine the water control so difficult because they really soak up a ton of pigment and water. Fun for big loose washes though! Loved this little look into what you look for in a brush, it was really helpful and I definitely want to try some of these. 😊
I love seeing your videos and reviews. They are beautifully created and well executed. For the last few months, I’ve been quietly watching, leaving no comments. Haha. Just… *Chef’s kiss* so inspiring and motivating. Motivating for One to get out and plein air more often in my little city of Albany, West Australia.
The only brushes I have used and still use are the “Crafters Choice - Royal and Langnickle White Taklon” def/ one of my preferred gouache brush.
I really appreciate you watching, and especially saying hi! :) Australia?? That's on my bucket list places to visit!
great vid!
Thank you for mentioning the lower cost brushes. Im on a very very tight budget so this helps me out alot.
It’s a very helpful video but as a beginner I’m not sure yet which brushes to buy. I’ll check out some of your other brushes videos next. I adore thise two little landscapes. Wow!!🙏❤️🦆🐇
Thank you so much. Great info.
Grumbacher makes a pretty great golden taklon and the Escoda Perla is a fantastic white torray. Super inexpensive (for Escoda and also for the watercolor market which they are manufactured for). And if I lived over your way I'd own many many more of the Jackson's signature brushes. I got an inlaid liner that I use for watercolor and it beats the absolute pants off of the silver white velvet and the Raphael versions of the same.
Thanks for the in depth look at these brushes, there are a good few that caught my eye. I always finish your videos having learned new things. You're amazing - in case no one told you since 23:30, east coast time 😀
Thank you! I am loving the Jacksons brand more and more, and love that they are "local"
I have the pro arte prolene and I really enjoy that brush. I want a few more of them.
Seeing this a year later…very helpful. Thanks! ❤
my recommendation for amazing watercolor/gouache brushes would be my favourites are roman szmal/aquarius white toray brushes (long hair, asian style) and roman szmal 911 for long lines and small details. Seriously, quality vs price ratio is amazing. And from flat brushes i went a bit fancy and bought W&N synthetic sable and they handla amazing with both mediums too.
Ohh those sound nice!
This is an ambitious project! But it was so interesting to see your process on figuring out the "right" brush. Thanks too for including the Etchr brush because I use it quite a lot and actually like it (haha preferences are a thing indeed!) so your comments made me understand further what you mean by soft, stiff etc. and CA imagine the stiffness of the other brushes. Always helpful to understand something in relation to another thing! Great stuff Sarah!
Do you have the Etchr watercolor or gouache brushes? They are sending me their gouache brushes so I can’t wait to compare! And yes, we all have different preferences!
@@SarahBurnsStudio Ohhh nice! The gouache brushes are somehow softer than the watercolour brushes so you may like them more! I haven't put them to work though so I can't say much about the water absorption capabilities
Hi Sarah! This was such an interesting video. My favorite go-to brush line is the Princeton Select Artiste. It has a matte handle which I actually like using more than the shiny / varnished brushes, especially if my hands get a little wet. It's so interesting how much of a difference the brush can make as you've shown.
My favorite "flat" brush for gouache is the Royal & Langnickel Zen 1/2" stroke brush (Z83ST). It came in a random watercolor / mix media brush set from Michaels and I find myself reaching for it a lot. It has a *lot* of hair and it behaves similar to the one you showed that stays curved when it's wet and doesn't spring back. The only other brush I've used similar to it would be a sumi brush.
Amazing video! I just bought a couple of flat brushes for gouache...
This is great! I’ve been trying to be really intentional about my brush-buying after getting a little too caught up in the “magic brush” mindset early in my watercolor journey, but I’ve been really interested in trying some flat brushes with gouache in particular, since I have mostly rounds designed for watercolor right now. I really appreciated hearing your thoughts on what you find helpful in a flat brush. I definitely have more to consider now! :)
Awesome!
for larger paintings i use a decorators flogger brush, have a look at those for big painting
Thanks Sarah, really interesting 🤓
The most trustable brush review. Done by a professional artist, not a reviewer.
Are there people who review things they don’t actually use?? Why even
Hi Sarah! Thank you for this in depth look into brushes for gouache oh and yes we have Daler Rodney brushes here in the USA. Once you have used these brushes I want to know what becomes your favorite. Thanks!😀
It will take a while to choose a favorite…it will be lots of painting over lots of sessions :)
Thank you for this awesome presentation! Some really great brushes to consider! It has been my experience that you can’t beat Princeton Brushes for economy and versatility! ❤️🙏🏻🕊🌿🌻📿🕯🎨
They truly are wonderful! Even though they cost a bit more they last
Thank you!! 💐
I paint with watercolour, and I strongly prefer White Taklon brushes over "Golden". Exactly for the reason that they hold more water, they are softer, blend better and don't move the layers underneath when I paint in many dry layers. Of course I have my synthetic squirrel brushes which are even a better at all those points, but they are not as good when I paint small, and I like to do miniatures sometimes. For smaller watercolours or dryer applications - White brushes are my favourite.
I have realized this thanks to a random single Grumbacher Academy brush that came with a set of their paints. After I tried it I was surprised and really wondering why all the stores prefer to carry a variety of Golden Taklon brushes and extremely rarely include even one type of White. The only store nearby that used to have them, doesn't bring them in anymore, I bought some of their last stock on sale and I love them.
I've wondered the same thing! I thought maybe it's because the white hairs stain easily and people don't like that? But it's like...who cares?? If it works better I don't care what color the hairs become.
@@SarahBurnsStudio indeed! Staining doesn't even look that bad most of the time. As soon as I use a bright staining colour, like thalo or quinacridon, it tends to override previous colour on the brush and make it pretty. Currently I have a green brush, a red one and a pink one 😄 And they were used a lot. Golden Taklon brushes also stain eventually, when it happens - they become dull dirty brown.
Wow, I've been using watercolour round brushes to paint with gouache and have been struggling - to be honest I never took any notice of brushes and would just use the first thing that came to hand and then blaming myself for being so useless at painting. Now I can see that your tools make so much difference. I can feel a paintbrush hoard coming on😂.
I had the same problem and changing to flat brushes for gouache (or acrylic gouache) really helped me. Not only am I painting looser but it seems to help with application as the paint doesn’t just gathers on one spot. It’s harder to explain. I used to exclusively use round brushes for watercolor so I barely even owned a decent flat brush (didn’t see the point of them to be honest). Now In gouache I only reach for a round brush for the little details or outlines I need at the end
Yup totally agree, the flat are easier for water control, so it makes gouache more manageable
Same, it occurred to me recently my existing brushes, mostly round watercolour brushes , might not be the best tools for the job. Now I’m obsessed with watching reviews like (not helped by being so indecisive😂)
I really like the aquafine brushes, and they are not expensive
great valley paintings 😀
Very helpful, thank you! I was wondering if you ever use an angled brush. I personally like that type a lot for gouache painting.
No I actually really hate angle brushes. Just personal preference!
I always enjoy watching videos of art supplies testing, especially brushes. I have got a couple of those cheap craft brushes in my stash. Actually I may have to go through my brushes to see what works better for me. I tend to lean towards rounds instead of flats. So is your favorite all purpose brush to paint with a round brush or a flat brush? Thanks for sharing this with us.
I find flat brushes more versatile, as long as it’s the *right* brush!
Really great information, thank you. Have succumbed to buy some gouache paints (your fault 😀😘), now going to have a closer look and buy a couple of brushes.
Daler Rowney student grade was 1st watercolor set I ever bought, before I tried W&N. Walmart and Micheals used to, maybe still do, carry Daler Rowney brand supplies.
Loved the video, I always keep my gouache and water color brushes separated and have been looking for new flats also. Great timing! Thx.
I think here the student version is called “graduate?” I can’t remember. But yea, widely available, affordable but durable
@@SarahBurnsStudio the set I got was called Simply Watercolour, 6 color set. Then I got a set in their Aquafine line.
Have you tried the Princeton Snap brushes?
I’m looking for a flat brush for lifting watercolour, specifically in floral painting. I’m guessing some of those might work. Do you have any recommendations?
The Casaneo is made to mimik squirrel. So not much spring 😊. I love the Princton brushes. Most of all Aqua Elite line. Just in case you come across them.😊
Great video. If your looking for a middle ground between the two Silver brushes you showed, might I suggest the Silver Silk? Not only is it beautiful to look at but I find it the perfection balance between a synthetic springy and a soft brush that doesn’t create weird marks. My favorite is their Chisel Blender format but that is for my particular way of painting. They have washes and flats too and the price is very affordable too. You should try one out and see if it compares with the others.
Ill have a look at those! Thank you
Great video 👍
Thanks 🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺
This is so fun and useful! I’ve been using and loving Escoda Versátil lately. Have you tried them?
No but I have a few round seconds brushes i love for watercolor
I know that Trekell sells calligraphy brushes with those long bristles. Lots of good reviews on them, not sure if they deliver to UK though. They are based in California
So nice 👌👌
I'm a fan of DaVinci brushes but I never tried the Casaneo brushes. They are on my list because I want some new flat brushes for watercolor.
I have the CosmoTop-Spin brushes. These are my work horse brushes and I also use these for gouache, too.
I’ll look into those!
Yes! Love the Casaneo for looser watercolor work and Cosmotop Spin for detail.
Princeton Heritage Series 4050 Synthetic Sable Brushes are made with Golden Taklon. Its been my favorite watercolor brush. Not too soft and not too stiff. Have you tried them?
Not yet!
thanks for sharing! And Rosemary and Co? Do you ever try this brand?
It’s on the list to try
Have you ever tried DaVinci Cosmotop Spin? I like them for slightly drier, detailed watercolor applications (Casaneo for wetter, looser). I suspect the Cosmotop may work well for gouache. You’ve inspired me to try gouache, so this may be my goal! I also enjoy Golden Taklon. EDIT: I see it’s on your radar now. Maybe can be justified as a purchase if you try the “travel brush” size? I notice you always seem to paint with full size brushes when doing plein air.
You’re not the first to mention Cosmotop…I am looking at getting one for sure
I am a big fan of the jackson brushes, they handle nice and predictable for me and aren't very expensive.
i have been using mostly the cheaper brushes( royal and langnickel) and actually love using them, since they're cheap, and stiff enough for my style.. i enjoy them ,also , because i have no "preciousness " feelings about them and definitely push them to their limits :-)) thank you so much for this video , sarah.. Norakag
Honestly as long as a brush allows you to get the effects you want, price doesn’t matter for the perfect brush!
@@SarahBurnsStudio totally agree 😬😬
Loved the comparison! As someone that mainly sketches with flats, I wanted to ask if there are any decent flat travel brushes you've tried? Rosemary&Co has a few smaller sizes, Raphael and Da Vinci have mini versions of their flats, Da Vinci also has one in their Casaneo travel series, Escoda seems to have one in one of their sets and Pro Arte also has a travel flat. I know testing all these options would be very expensive but maybe you've already tried some and could share? When you were listing your "perfect brush" criteria they match mine, I trust your judgment.
The only flat travel brush I have is the Pro Arte Prolene Plus Flat Brush Size 10 and so far LOVING it. Eventually I might try some others but I'm trying to keep my travel kit very minimal (and yes, it gets expensive!)
@@SarahBurnsStudio Thanks for letting me know! Pro Arte one is quite affordable - glad to know it's good. Size seems great for an A5 sketchbook. Also, really enjoying your content! Scotland scenery with your commentary makes me want to paint outside more
@@anam00090 Thank you! Yes the 10 is a good size for A5/A6 size pages. I think I want a slightly larger one eventually but like I said I'm trying to stay minimal!
Neef brandwhite synthetic is also great
I love my casaneo brushes. But lately I started to try different ones.
The searching for the best brush just never ends right? 🙈
It never ends!
When you say synthetic, is that the same as saying taklon? Or maybe nylon? Im sorry if my question in dumb😢
Yes, both of those are synthetic, there are many types of synthetic. Anything that isn't animal hair
Thank you for this video....mikelle art mom🎨👩🎨✍
If i find a brush i like i will cut down the handle to a reasonable length
Just bought a £20 brush from Pro Arte and it's the worst I've ever used. I can almost get my finger in the gap between the stock and the bristles, really really badly made
why do they have to be synthetic for you?
1. I’m very rough with my brushes and want them to last, 2. No need for animals to be involved
Were you able to confirm with Royal & Langnickel that those brushes are vegan? I only know their Menta line is advertised as vegan and they’ve yet to get back to me on their other synthetic brushes 🥲
Everything I’ve seen says they are, but I’ll keep my ear to the ground if I hear anything different I’ll report in a future video.
So it looks like flats are the brushes to use for qouache! I so appreciate the info you share, I’m sure it saves me wasted time & money. Thank you 🙏
Very useful, thank you!