The Best Self-Moistening Water Brushes for Artists on the Move
A convenient tool for artists on the go, self-moistening water brushes are paintbrushes with a water reservoir in the shaft. Simply fill up this tank and get to work. Water brushes are perfect for aquarelle-style painting in watercolor or aquatint, as they excel at creating washes. They can be used with watercolor pens and pencils, or with powdered or solid pigment to avoid the mess and hassle of extra tools. They are also a must-have addition to any pocket watercolor kit for plein air painting, eliminating the need for water cups. Plus, they are self-cleaning, as colors wash away with a simple squeeze! While available in fewer shapes and sizes than traditional brushes, water brushes are fun complements to your painter’s toolbox. Browse our roundup below to find the best brush for you.
ARTnews RECOMMENDS
Pentel Aquash Water Brush
they can go through the dishwasher. Flexible and springy, they can tolerate a good amount of pressure and aren’t quick to fray, meaning you won’t be bothered by errant bristles so you can effortlessly fill and go. Choose from three sizes, featuring nibs that come to a fine point for making precise lines; the medium is a great versatile option if you buy just one. You can also get a flat-tipped brush. Whether you are a newbie to these tools or a seasoned plein air painter, Aquash brushes are easy to use. Simply pour water into the wide-mouth opening and pour out when finished. To release water, squeeze the soft shaft. The design controls flow very well to prevent a constant gush that pools on the page.
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Pentel Aquash Water Brushes and Sets
WE ALSO LIKE
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Deluxe Water Brush
Faber-Castell’s water brush is distinct for the level of control it affords artists. Unlike simpler brushes, it features a button to push to dispense water, so you can confidently add drops as needed rather than squeezing a barrel. This brush also features a piston system that draws up water with the pull of a plunger, which some people may find easier than pouring water into a reservoir. It’s unfortunately available in only one size, but the bristles can yield both fine and wide lines. Our only other quibble is that it does not hold a ton of water, requiring you to refill it more frequently than, say, the Pentel Aquash.
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Deluxe Water Brush
ANOTHER GOOD OPTION
Tombow Water Brush
This handy set, which includes three brushes in different sizes, is a great way to get more brushes for less. You get a small and medium water brush plus a flat brush to make broader lines, and each tool is color coded (unlike the Aquashes). The brushes balance firmness with flexibility to help you maintain control of your strokes. The barrels are a little stiff out of the box, requiring a firmer squeeze, but you’ll find that they ease up with regular use.
Tombow Water Brushes – Set of 3
STUDENTS’ CHOICE
Ohuhu Water Coloring Brush Pens
If you aren’t sure if you’ll like the feel of water brushes, try painting with Ohuhu’s. The brand offers a set of six self-moistening brushes including point-tip and flat-tip brush pens in small, medium, and large sizes. Per pen, they cost a fraction of the price of our other picks (even the Tombows), making this a smart choice that provides you with a full set of tools for experimentation. The nylon-fiber brush tips keep their shape to ensure precise mark making, but because they’re slightly lower-grade than pricier picks, they may fray faster with regular use.
Ohuhu Set of 6 Water Brushes
ALSO CONSIDER
Caran d’Ache Museum Aquarelle Waterbrush
Similar in design to Faber-Castell’s waterbrush, this easy-to-spot red tool comes in a medium or larger brushlike tip or a distinct fiber tip. The bristles of the latter are slightly tougher but spongier than nylon—it feels almost like you are working with a marker—and are ideal for getting hard-edge lines or intricate detail work. Simply press it quickly for minimal water flow, or longer for more. An easy-to-fill reservoir and stay-put cap makes this a solid pick for painting on the go.
Caran d’Ache Museum Aquarelle Waterbrush
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1. Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brushes
Pentel’s brushes simply do it all. These blue brushes feature nylon tips that are so durable they can go through the dishwasher. These nicely flexible ends can tolerate a good amount of pressure and aren’t quick to fray, meaning you won’t be bothered by errant bristles so you can effortlessly fill and go. The nib comes to a fine point for making precise lines. They are also easy to use, whether you are a newbie to these tools or a seasoned plein air painter. Simply pour water into the wide-mouth opening and pour out when finished. To release water, squeeze the soft shaft—a perfect amount of water comes out rather than a constant gush that pools on the page. Being transparent, you always know how much water you have left. Most importantly, these brushes seem utterly leak-proof.
Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brushes
2. Faber-Castell Water Brush
Pricier than our top pick, Faber-Castell’s pen immediately charms with its sophisticated, professional look. It is extremely comfortable to hold, featuring a wide, tapered barrel with subtle grip lines; you need to apply only a bit of pressure to squeeze out a small amount of water. The forest green cap fits securely on the end and features grooves designed for sgraffito, should you want to scratch into your painting surface without having to reach for a separate tool. The nylon hairs of the brush are soft and come to a large belly that can hold an impressive amount of water.
Faber-Castell Water Brush
3. Caran D’Ache Aquarelle Brush
Caran d’Ache’s water brushes are distinct for the level of control they afford artists. Unlike simpler brushes, these feature a button to push to dispense water. Simply press it quickly for minimal water flow, or longer for more. This 12mm medium-tip brush is equipped with a fiber tip, which is slightly tougher but spongier than nylon—it feels almost like you are working with a marker—and is ideal for getting hard-edge lines or intricate detail work. An easy-to-fill reservoir and stay-put cap makes this a solid pick for painting on the go.
Caran D’Ache Aquarelle Brush
4. Ohuhu Water Coloring Brush Pens
If you aren’t sure if you’ll like the feel of water brushes, try painting with Ohuhu’s. The brand offers a set of six self-moistening brushes including point-tip and flat-tip brush pens in small, medium, and large sizes. Per pen, they cost a fraction of the price of our other picks, making this a smart choice that provides you with a full set of tools for experimentation. The nylon-fiber brush tips keep their shape to ensure precise mark making, but being slightly lower-grade than pricier picks, they may fray faster with regular use.
Ohuhu Water Coloring Brush Pens
5. Kuretake Water Brush Set
If you like the idea of a brush set and are willing to spend a little more, we suggest Kuretake’s self-moistening tools. This set features brushes with noticeably different tip sizes, from an extremely fine detailer to a chunky, broad nib. Each is a different color for easy identification. The nylon bristles can hold a good amount of water so you don’t have to keep squeezing the barrel, and each brush can deliver an impressive range of stroke widths depending on how you angle it. We do notice that the tips tend to discolor faster than those of comparable brushes like the top-performing Pentel, but this does not impact the colors of your work.
Kuretake Water Brush Set
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