Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Waterbrushes and Watercolor Brushes
I FINALLY got the video done, reshot, tweaked, edited and uploaded!
People often ask me about waterbrushes, and I think I've tried them all by now...hope this helps.
I also cover the difference between waterbrushes and "real" watercolor brushes, and when and why to chose one over the other. Unless you use a pointillist technique, a waterbrush isn't going to satisfy you for nice juicy washes of any size. I use mine when I'm traveling, working in my journal, pressed for space, needing to letter something...but never when I'm working 9 x 12 or larger!
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Great demo! And I love the percussion background Pepe provides! I also find the waterbrushes have much stiffer bristles than watercolor brushes.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your detailed description on the different brand of this type of brush, Cathy. Of course, thanks for the entire demo. I have one, but only played with it a little before I decided they aren't my cup of tea. Just this past weekend I almost bought a larger size to give them another try, but couldn't find one locally. I'm afraid your demo validates that they're just not for me, although I know many, many people love them. Again, thank you so much for taking the time to do this!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathy, for this waterbrush video. Very helpful.
ReplyDeleteA question.... I have an Aquash waterbrush and could not remove the cap after filling and using it sucessfully several times. I tried pliers, wrenches, put it in a vise, did everything and the cap would not unscrew! I read of a similar experience by an Amazon reviewer. Do you or anyone else know why this happens or how to prevent it? I am aware of the direction change in the threads of some brands of brushes.
In the meantime, I switched to Niji!
Pepe wants to join us!
Louise, if you really do mean the cap on the Aquash, it just pulls off / snaps back on.. it doesn't unscrew although it looks like it should do. I was caught by that myself once or twice. If you mean it's the brush and valve part where it attaches to the barrel, then I don't know, sorry!
DeleteThanks all! Judi, I keep saying I'm going back to real waterbrushes exclusively, but then I find myself in a place where I can't spread everything out and reach for one of my Nijis! It doesn't happen as often, these days, but it DOES happen.
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed stiffer than regular brushes, for the most part...that's why I find them useful for lettering, I think. Even if I've done the whole page with regular brushes, I often get out one of the waterbrushes if I want to add lettering.
Louise, I'm so sorry! No, I've never had the problem and wasn't aware it happened. My main problem with the Aquash brand is that they sometime spontaneously drip when I don't want them to.
And yes, Pepi is SUCH a help sometimes! I knew if I stopped video and let him in he'd just jump up and drink my paint water!
Thanks for the video Cathy! I actually prefer to use a waterbrush for smaller paintings as I find it easier to control than a conventional brush. I have a very drippy Aquash though, so I'm going to look for the Niji.
ReplyDeleteThey do have their place, and they've earned it!
DeleteOnce in a while a Niji will get hard to squeeze...I clean it if I can, and if I can't--well, they're not that expensive. I throw it away.
That said, a "regular" watercolor brush will last a lot longer, especially if it's well cared for.
Cathy, I just watched your video on watercolor brushes.
ReplyDeleteI do have one of these , not sure of the brand as it came in a watercolor set.
However I have 2 really nice watercolor brushes that I sent for from Wet Paint. They load differently, (a plunger typed) but the brush itself is not bad.. Check it out . BJ
Are they the Blue Heron type? Metal with a transparent section so you can see the water? I did try those, and LOVED that they've got one with a nice big brush, but I turned out to have difficulty advancing the water...I had to switch hands and it got awkward for me. That said, the brush is lovely...
DeleteHi Cathy, thanks for the video! :)
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you've tried Bienfang Watercolor Brush pens? Here's a link:
http://www.amazon.com/Bienfang-Watercolor-Brush-Pens-Set/dp/B0019IIRXE
I have a 12 pack on the way & am looking forward to playing with them...
No, I hadn't! Thanks for the link, I'll have to check them out...
DeleteI really love the Bienfang watercolor brush pens because they have color in them and it's fun to do wild and crazy stuff with them. My first attempt at using them was with the 29 faces in 29 days, a quick sketch every day for a month. http://pinterest.com/pin/120189883775335903/
ReplyDelete