Brush Battle: Cheap vs. Expensive Watercolor Brushes! 💰✨

A glimps into my course "The Secrets of Painting with COFFEE"

Gather 'round for a watercolor brush showdown! 🥊

🖌️ So, I did a little experiment, and boy, do I have some juicy results to share with you all! 🤩

On one side, we've got the budget-friendly, 

synthetic fiber brushes (on the Left) -

dime-a-dozen brushes that won't break the bank. 

And on the other, we've got the fancy-pants, top-of-the-line brushes that'll have you feeling like Picasso himself! -

a synthetic version of a squirrel hair brush (on the Right).

Let me tell ya, the cheap brushes may not have all the bells and whistles, but they sure held their own! 

They're like the underdog of the art world—surprisingly resilient and surprisingly good at their job! I once heard that cheap brushes might shed a stray hair or two (or ten), but mine didn't!

Now, let's talk about the expensive brushes. 

Oh la la, these babies are like the Rolls-Royce of the brush world—smooth, luxurious, and oh-so-fancy! They glide across the paper like butter and make you feel like a bona fide art maestro! 

But-

After a while, they lost their flexibility, which became quite frustrating. While they absorb a lot of paint (or coffee, in my case), it's challenging to clean them completely between brush strokes.

So, which one reigns supreme? Well, it's all about personal preference, my friends!  

🖌️!! POV1:

I lean towards the cheaper ones; they maintain their flexibility even with prolonged use and are a breeze to clean.

🖌️!! POV2:

I came back to update-

Brush Crush Alert: Silver Black Velvet – Worth the Hype?

You know I had to update you on this new discovery - because wow, I think I found my new brush soulmates.

A fellow artist friend (who knows I’m a sucker for fancy tools) recommended these Silver Black Velvet brushes.

They are a Synthetic and Squirrel mix and great for watercolor (and coffee!).

They’re not exactly budget-friendly... but curiosity won, and I treated myself to four sizes: 8, 6, 4, and 2.

So far, I’ve only used two - and friends, I’m in love. 😍

If you paint animal fur, soft details, or just love that one brush to do it all magic… these are a dream.

✨ What I love:

• The tip is super fine – perfect for details.

• You can get multiple stroke widths just by adjusting pressure.

• That means less brush swapping and more flow while painting!

🌀 The downside?

They’re very soft. Like, baby bunny soft.

Which makes them amazing for smooth, expressive strokes — but not so great for lifting techniques.

So if you're used to stiffer brushes, there’s a tiny learning curve.

But once you get the feel? Total game changer.

Let me know if you’ve tried them too, or if you have another secret brush obsession I need to know about!

Whether you're a budget-savvy artist or a high-rolling art aficionado, there's a brush out there for you!

Now, let's hear it from you!

Are you Team Cheap or Team Expensive?

Sound off in the comments below and let's keep this brush battle going!

Want more?

I've got a jaw-dropping art supply list for watercolor that's tailor-made for both seasoned pros and eager beginners. 

Click here to download my Must Have list: