The techniques you prefer effect the brushes you prefer as well. I have been doing even more tests and been using gouache a ton and gouache with watercolour. I tend to paint tighter but love variety and appreciate some brushes only when doing looser works which is less often. I only use cheaper brushes by most peoples standards but still find some I love. I also can not recommend highly enough that you get and use make up brushes. YES cheap dollarstore makeup brushes! Try them with watercolorus and gouache! they are so good and allow the softest gradients, blending, special effects, clouds etc! I'd go head to head with some of my dollar store brushes vs high end mops seriously try make up brushes for the 'soft' techniques. It may really add to your art and save you a fortune in expensive brushes! But as for a great versitile round with a tip that remains sharp and doesn't hook in 2 minutes nor require a delicate regimen and maintenance I'll let you know. I found one amazing one in a random cheap pack that still holds a razor point. Still As I tend to use my makeup brushes now for my looser and wet effects the cheaper synthetics now work perfect as a pair. Not to mention which brushes seem to be more ideal for gouache vs watercolours.... I definatly have a few favs I use most. Most are $1 or less from Dollarama in Canada and 1/3 are makeup brushes! Maybe I'm really missing out or maybe I've become skilled? Not sure but I don't think I'm crazy. And heck what are you out $5 tops? Try some makeup brushes (note you should buy and use these brushes only with watercolour and gouache not also for makeup, etc.)
I’m intrigued by that Perla brush, although I’m not sure about getting a long handle. Thank you for explaining that the Caseneo is in a different category. It looks like a beautiful brush. I like my Raphael size 0 Softaqua for loose work. It holds a lot of water, but it is not good for detail work.
Yes, I was also curious to try the Perla, cause I heard so many good things about it. It is hard to recommend a specific brush or even brand, cause in the end it is a personal choice. Never tried the Raphael Softaqua, but I have a Raphael petit gris pur and i love it :)
These days there are many synthetic options that act like natural hair. And natural hair brushes are simply cruel for animals... so synthetic is always the way to go even for big washes
Even though I'm a fun of brushes similar to Perla, the Da Vinci did way better on your painting test!!! Both are great brands. I'd Suggest the Da Vinci Casane 498 No2 instead of the 490, you'll get better precision AND more water with the 498!!!
@@mulle3574 Since you enjoy natural brushes too, check out the Rembrandt Series 100 (not the 110,those are nice,too, but you get a natural Kolinsky,with almost the same money, with the series 199!) their No8 and No2 are my favorite from that series. Their Prices are unheard of and the quality and performance, is up there with Da Vinci,Raphael etc, if not better at some point!! I know people, who like them more than any other brand!
You are a talented artist and I sure trust your opinion. I really like the Escoda Perla also and only started using it a few months ago. One dislike is that the tip of my number 12 has a small hook that developed. Robt
Oh, so sorry to hear this, it is so frustrating when the tip of the brush becomes a hook. I guess it happens over time, but only a few month is not that long, so strange :(
@@ColorArtEmotion I suppose the good news then is that the world is beginning to live with Co-vid and for some life is returning. Hope you have time and inspiration to continue, though your posts have covered a lot of ground too. All the best.
Whats the first white bristled brush made of? What is a designers brush too? I got one recently but can't find anything about them. Maybe someone here knows.
I like rosemary & co.s synthetics. No brush is going to do it all-most people use synthetics for smaller areas and details where you don't want to have a large load of water and /or pigment
Princeton AquaElite (sable) or Neptune (squirrel). Just as good as the big boys without the big prices. My Princeton Neptune is exactly the same as my DaVinci Caseneo other than the handle. I like the AquaElite better than the DV Cosmotop, and the Jacksons brand Tajmir kolinsky is the same as the DV Maestro.. again except for the handle. I literally can't tell them apart other than the price.
This is helpful to know. I have Princeton AquaElite and Neptune synthetic and I see people talk about DaVinci and Escoda all the time and they look lovely, but the price is quite high for the US market. At least I always see them in the $18-25 range and the AE and Neptunes are significantly cheaper here. I do love my Silver Black Velvet as well and it runs a little more expensive. It's good to know that maybe they are very similar in quality.
@@squirrel8161 A lot of it depends on how you care for them, but all brushes wear over time and synthetics wear faster across the board. Many people abuse their brushes horribly, often without even realizing it. Proper brush cleaner, proper rinsing technique, reshaping/casting with brush conditioner, not scrubbing dried pigment with your good brushes, and proper storage all make a huge difference. At less than half the price though it's not a big deal to replace as needed.
@@squirrel8161i agree about neptune. They are geat at the beginning. If you use brush a bit abusive they will not survive. I have 4 piece of set. The small one has lost the shape already😔