How to Choose Watercolor Brushes and Paper? 5 Essential Tool Buying Guide (2025 Update)

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I. How to Choose Watercolor Brushes: Shape, Material, and Price

1. Common Brush Types

• Round Brush: Fine point, good water retention, versatile.
• Flat Brush: Sharp edges, suitable for large skies and straight lines.
• Filbert Brush: Rounded tip, ideal for smooth transitions.
• Rigger Brush: Long, thin handle, stable for outlining.

2. Recommended Equipment for Beginners

Round brushes #6, #10, #14 + 1-inch flat brush are sufficient for beginners. Prices range from NT$150–600.

3. Choosing Brush Hair Material

• Natural hair (squirrel, mink): Good water retention but expensive.
• Synthetic hair: Affordable, durable, and suitable for practice.

II. How to Choose Watercolor Paper: Weight and Texture Differences

1. Paper Weight (gsm) Differences

• 190 gsm: Too thin, wrinkles easily, not recommended.
• 300 gsm: Standard thickness, suitable for most learning purposes.
• 640 gsm: Heavyweight paper, for professional creations.

2. Paper Texture Types

• Cold Press (medium texture): Most versatile.
• Hot Press (smooth): Suitable for illustration and detailed work.
• Rough (textured): Suitable for landscapes and loose brushwork.

3. Recommended Brands

• Beginner：Canson XL, Montval, Baohong
• Intermediate：Arches, Saunders Waterford
• Professional：Fabriano Artistico, Hahnemühle

III. Choosing Watercolor Paints: Pigment Strength and Brands

Tube paints have high pigment concentration, suitable for heavy use; pan paints are convenient to carry. Student-grade is good for beginners, while artist-grade offers higher color saturation and better lightfastness.

IV. Budget-Saving Tips

1. Start with the basic 12 colors; no need to buy everything at once.
2. Paper can be cut into smaller sheets for practice.
3. Student-grade paints + synthetic brushes are sufficient for beginners.
4. Clean your brushes regularly to extend their lifespan.

5. Recommended Starter Set (2025 Update)

Further Reading

Watercolor Paper – Wikipedia

Recommended Courses

For deeper learning, you can check out our courses:“Watercolor Course”