Recommended Brushes

I’ve used a lot of gear in my career, to aid students in not wasting time on cheap supplies, I’ve created a list of recommendations. Below are links to some excellent and affordable brushes. If you are considering purchasing these, please use the links below, any purchases made using those links will help to support this website.


 

One of the things I like most about this series of brushes is the satin finish to the ferrules. When painting en plein air, it is greatly appreciated to have ferrules that will not catch the sun and put bright spots into your vision. This only happens under certain circumstances, but these brushes are excellent besides.

Grumbacher Black Diamond Hog Bristle Brushes

Grumbacher Black Diamond Hog Bristle Brushes

Grumbacher Black Diamond Brushes allow you to hold sharper edges and achieve more consistent color laydown thanks to unbleached, un-dyed black hog bristles with plenty of natural flags. The brushes feature soft, non-slip handles and nickel-plated brass ferrules with a sleek black finish.


Grumbacher Black Diamond Hog Bristle Brushes


 

The Dynasty Interlocked Series is one of my favorite type of flats to use. This brush keeps a decent edge if you keep the ferrules clean, and has a lot of spring. They are great for laying down thick bold strokes of color, and can also be used for lifting in the lay-in process. They are also very durable and last much longer than bristle flats.

Dynasty Interlock Bronze Long Handle Brushes, Flat, Long Handle, Size 1 (5.6 mm x 13 mm)

Dynasty Interlock Bronze Long Handle Brushes, Flat, Long Handle, Size 1 (5.6 mm x 13 mm)

Dynasty’s Interlock Bronze is a collection of durable, long-lasting synthetic brushes with delicate control capabilities. This unique alternative to natural hair incorporates patented interlocking technology.


Dynasty Interlock Bronze Long Handle Brushes, Flat, Long Handle, Size 1 (5.6 mm x 13 mm)


 

Dynasty Interlock Bronze Long Handle Brushes, Flat, Long Handle, Size 3 (6.8 mm x 18 mm)

Dynasty Interlock Bronze Long Handle Brushes, Flat, Long Handle, Size 3 (6.8 mm x 18 mm)

Dynasty’s Interlock Bronze is a collection of durable, long-lasting synthetic brushes with delicate control capabilities. This unique alternative to natural hair incorporates patented interlocking technology.


Dynasty Interlock Bronze Long Handle Brushes, Flat, Long Handle, Size 3 (6.8 mm x 18 mm)


 

Dynasty Interlock Bronze Long Handle Brushes, Flat, Long Handle, Size 6 (12 mm x 24 mm)

Dynasty Interlock Bronze Long Handle Brushes, Flat, Long Handle, Size 6 (12 mm x 24 mm)

Dynasty’s Interlock Bronze is a collection of durable, long-lasting synthetic brushes with delicate control capabilities. This unique alternative to natural hair incorporates patented interlocking technology.


Dynasty Interlock Bronze Long Handle Brushes, Flat, Long Handle, Size 6 (12 mm x 24 mm)


 

Dynasty Interlock Bronze Long Handle Brushes, Flat, Long Handle, Size 10 (20 mm x 35 mm)

Dynasty Interlock Bronze Long Handle Brushes, Flat, Long Handle, Size 10 (20 mm x 35 mm)

Dynasty’s Interlock Bronze is a collection of durable, long-lasting synthetic brushes with delicate control capabilities. This unique alternative to natural hair incorporates patented interlocking technology.


Dynasty Interlock Bronze Long Handle Brushes, Flat, Long Handle, Size 10 (20 mm x 35 mm)


 

Dynasty Interlock Bronze Long Handle Brushes, Flat, Long Handle, Size 12 (25 mm x 38 mm)

Dynasty Interlock Bronze Long Handle Brushes, Flat, Long Handle, Size 12 (25 mm x 38 mm)

Dynasty’s Interlock Bronze is a collection of durable, long-lasting synthetic brushes with delicate control capabilities. This unique alternative to natural hair incorporates patented interlocking technology.


Dynasty Interlock Bronze Long Handle Brushes, Flat, Long Handle, Size 12 (25 mm x 38 mm)


 

I was dubious of Princeton’s brushes until a friend of mine gave me one of their synthetic mongoose filberts. I have to admit it’s an excellently crafted brush with a soft touch but more spring than a true mongoose or sable brush. I say this having used both Langnickel-Royal Sables and Rosemary Mongoose brushes (both of which I also like). Needless to say these are far more affordable.

Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Flat, Long Handle, Size 4 (4.8 mm x 10 mm)

Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Flat, Long Handle, Size 4 (4.8 mm x 10 mm)

Stiffer than sable and softer than bristle, these beautiful, durable synthetic mongoose brushes are an excellent choice for heavy-bodied paints such as acrylic, oil and alkyd.


Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Flat, Long Handle, Size 4 (4.8 mm x 10 mm)


 

Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Flat, Long Handle, Size 6 (5.6 mm x 11 mm)

Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Flat, Long Handle, Size 6 (5.6 mm x 11 mm)

Stiffer than sable and softer than bristle, these beautiful, durable synthetic mongoose brushes are an excellent choice for heavy-bodied paints such as acrylic, oil and alkyd.


Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Flat, Long Handle, Size 6 (5.6 mm x 11 mm)


 

Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Flat, Long Handle, Size 8 (8.7 mm x 13 mm)

Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Flat, Long Handle, Size 8 (8.7 mm x 13 mm)

Stiffer than sable and softer than bristle, these beautiful, durable synthetic mongoose brushes are an excellent choice for heavy-bodied paints such as acrylic, oil and alkyd.


Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Flat, Long Handle, Size 8 (8.7 mm x 13 mm)


 

Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Filbert, Long Handle, Size 4 (4.8 mm x 15 mm)

Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Filbert, Long Handle, Size 4 (4.8 mm x 15 mm)

Stiffer than sable and softer than bristle, these beautiful, durable synthetic mongoose brushes are an excellent choice for heavy-bodied paints such as acrylic, oil and alkyd.


Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Filbert, Long Handle, Size 4 (4.8 mm x 15 mm)


 

Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Filbert, Long Handle, Size 8 (8.7 mm x 17 mm)

Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Filbert, Long Handle, Size 8 (8.7 mm x 17 mm)

Stiffer than sable and softer than bristle, these beautiful, durable synthetic mongoose brushes are an excellent choice for heavy-bodied paints such as acrylic, oil and alkyd.


Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Filbert, Long Handle, Size 8 (8.7 mm x 17 mm)


 

Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Filbert, Long Handle, Size 12 (11 mm x 24 mm)

Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Filbert, Long Handle, Size 12 (11 mm x 24 mm)

Stiffer than sable and softer than bristle, these beautiful, durable synthetic mongoose brushes are an excellent choice for heavy-bodied paints such as acrylic, oil and alkyd.


Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Filbert, Long Handle, Size 12 (11 mm x 24 mm)


 

Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Filbert, Long Handle, Size 16 (13 mm x 29 mm)

Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Filbert, Long Handle, Size 16 (13 mm x 29 mm)

Stiffer than sable and softer than bristle, these beautiful, durable synthetic mongoose brushes are an excellent choice for heavy-bodied paints such as acrylic, oil and alkyd.


Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Filbert, Long Handle, Size 16 (13 mm x 29 mm)


 

Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Long Round, Long Handle, Size 8 (4.8 mm x 25 mm)

Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Long Round, Long Handle, Size 8 (4.8 mm x 25 mm)

Stiffer than sable and softer than bristle, these beautiful, durable synthetic mongoose brushes are an excellent choice for heavy-bodied paints such as acrylic, oil and alkyd.


Princeton Synthetic Mongoose, Long Round, Long Handle, Size 8 (4.8 mm x 25 mm)


 

Royal Langnickel Sofia Brushes, Liner, Short Handle, Size 2 (2.0 mm x 22 mm)

Royal Langnickel Sofia Brushes, Liner, Short Handle, Size 2 (2.0 mm x 22 mm)

Sofia is wise in its construction, featuring a blend of 50% finest Kolinsky Sable and 50% best-quality multi-diameter synthetic filaments. This handmade series offers unrivaled color-holding capability, and durable sharp edges and points.


Royal Langnickel Sofia Brushes, Liner, Short Handle, Size 2 (2.0 mm x 22 mm)


 

Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes, Pointed Round, Short Handle, Size 0 (1.0 mm x 8.0 mm)

Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes, Pointed Round, Short Handle, Size 0 (1.0 mm x 8.0 mm)

Escoda’s Optimo Kolinsky Sable Pointed Round is a marriage of beauty, form, and function in brushes. Snappy pristine Kolinsky hair is delicately hand crimped into a nickel brass ferrule. The short, lacquered wood handle offers control for detail work.


Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes, Pointed Round, Short Handle, Size 0 (1.0 mm x 8.0 mm)


 

Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes, Pointed Round, Short Handle, Size 4 (2.8 mm x 16 mm)

Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes, Pointed Round, Short Handle, Size 4 (2.8 mm x 16 mm)

Escoda’s Optimo Kolinsky Sable Pointed Round is a marriage of beauty, form, and function in brushes. Snappy pristine Kolinsky hair is delicately hand crimped into a nickel brass ferrule. The short, lacquered wood handle offers control for detail work.


Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes, Pointed Round, Short Handle, Size 4 (2.8 mm x 16 mm)


 

Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes, Pointed Round, Short Handle, Size 8 (4.4 mm x 22 mm)

Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes, Pointed Round, Short Handle, Size 8 (4.4 mm x 22 mm)

Escoda’s Optimo Kolinsky Sable Pointed Round is a marriage of beauty, form, and function in brushes. Snappy pristine Kolinsky hair is delicately hand crimped into a nickel brass ferrule. The short, lacquered wood handle offers control for detail work.


Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes, Pointed Round, Short Handle, Size 8 (4.4 mm x 22 mm)