Brushes For Gouache: 10 Top Picks For Artists And Enthusiasts
Using the right brushes for gouache can make all the difference in your painting.
Gouache is a unique medium that requires a special type of brush to work with.
It’s a water-based paint like watercolor, but it’s also opaque like acrylic and oil paint.
This means that gouache can be used in a variety of ways and with different painting techniques.
The type of brush you use will depend on the type of technique you’re using and the style of painting you’re creating.
If you’re new to using gouache, it can be hard to know what type of brush to use and where to buy them.
In this article, we’ll cover the basics of using brushes with gouache and share our top picks for the best brushes for gouache.
1. Winsor & Newton Series 7
Winsor & Newton’s Series 7 brushes are the gold standard of watercolor brushes.
They are made with top-quality Kolinsky sable hair that is incredibly resilient and holds its shape well.
The brush hairs are hand-cupped and set into a seamless, nickel-plated brass ferrule, and the handle is made from black polished wood.
The brush has a sharp point that is perfect for fine details and lines, and the full belly is great for holding a lot of paint.
With a good gouache, you will want to use a lot of paint, so this is a great feature.
The brush is also available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find the perfect one for your needs.
2. Escoda Prado
Escoda Prado brushes are made from a mix of synthetic and natural bristles, making them a great option for artists who are looking for the best of both worlds.
The synthetic bristles are made with a blend of three different diameters and three different lengths, which makes them ultra-soft and perfect for creating smooth strokes.
The natural bristles are made from pig hairs, which are stiffer and are great for creating texture.
The brush head is designed with a rounded shape, which makes it great for creating both fine lines and filling in larger areas.
The brush has a short handle, which makes it perfect for painting on the go.
3. Da Vinci Maestro
If you’re looking for a high-quality brush, look no further than the Da Vinci Maestro.
This brush is made from Kolinsky sable hair, which is known for its strength and resilience.
The hair is hand-shaped and glued into the ferrule, then crimped and glued again to ensure a seamless fit.
The long, slim handle is comfortable to hold and allows for precise control.
The brush comes in a variety of sizes, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
This brush is designed for watercolor, but it works well with gouache, too. The soft, flexible hair holds a good amount of paint and releases it smoothly.
The fine point allows you to create precise details, and the brush has a good amount of spring, so you can make bold strokes as well.
The only downside is that the hair is a bit delicate, so you’ll need to take good care of it to ensure it lasts a long time.
4. Raphael Kaerell
Raphael Kaerell brushes are made from synthetic fibres and are designed to mimic the qualities of sable hair.
This makes them perfect for use with water-based paints like gouache, as the fibres are soft and hold a lot of water.
The fibres used in these brushes are also very springy, which means they won’t lose their shape over time.
They are also incredibly durable and will last a long time with the right care.
The handles are made from varnished wood and are easy to grip, making them comfortable to use.
The Raphael Kaerell 8796 range is a great set of brushes for gouache painting.
It includes a variety of tip shapes and sizes, so you’ll be able to create a wide range of marks and shapes in your work.
5. Isabey Isacryl
Isacryl brushes are made with a blend of synthetic fibers that are soft enough to use with watercolor but firm enough to use with gouache.
The fibers are also springy, which makes them great for creating bold lines and shapes.
Isacryl brushes are also a good option for those who are looking for a vegan-friendly alternative to sable hair brushes.
6. Princeton Velvetouch
The Princeton Velvetouch is a synthetic brush that is designed to mimic the softness and color-holding ability of natural sable brushes.
These brushes have a blend of multiple diameters of synthetic fibers that are crimped to mimic the texture of natural hair.
The fibers are then set in a wooden handle with a beautiful, rich blue finish.
These brushes are great for gouache because they have a soft feel and can hold a lot of paint.
They also have a great spring, which means they will spring back to their original shape after being bent.
This is important for gouache because it is a thicker paint and can be hard on brushes.
The Princeton Velvetouch brushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are perfect for a variety of gouache techniques.
7. Grumbacher Goldenedge
Grumbacher is a trusted brand, and their Goldenedge brushes are a good choice for gouache. They’re durable, easy to clean, and have a nice spring to them.
They’re a little on the stiff side, so they’re good for adding detail and texture to your paintings.
They have a unique blend of synthetic and natural hairs that’s great for a variety of painting techniques.
These brushes are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find the perfect one for your needs.
8. Royal & Langnickel Zen
Designed to mimic the softness of natural hair, Zen brushes are made from a synthetic filament called White Taklon.
This means that they’re able to hold a large amount of paint and water, but they’re also easy to clean, and they maintain their shape well.
The Zen series has an impressive variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find the perfect brush for your next gouache masterpiece.
Whether you’re looking for a flat, filbert, round, or angular brush, Zen has you covered.
9. Silver Brush Black Velvet
The Silver Brush Black Velvet is a blend of natural squirrel hair and black synthetic filament.
This brush is perfect for gouache because it holds a lot of paint and has a soft, absorbent brush tip.
The combination of hair and synthetic filament allows the brush to hold a good amount of paint and water while maintaining its shape.
The Black Velvet brush has a nice, sharp point and is great for detail work.
You can also use it to create a variety of brushstrokes, from thin lines to wide washes.
The brush comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, but I especially like the round and script liner shapes for gouache painting.
10. Dynasty Faux Squirrel
Dynasty Faux Squirrel
The name says it all. This brush is designed to mimic the feel of a real squirrel hair brush.
The synthetic hairs are soft and absorbent, which makes them a great option for gouache.
This brush is available in a wide range of sizes, so you can select the perfect size for your project.
This brush is a great option for creating soft, blended effects in your gouache paintings.
The soft synthetic bristles are perfect for creating smooth transitions between colors.
This brush is also a great option for creating large, bold strokes. The absorbent bristles can hold a lot of paint, so you can cover large areas quickly and easily.
Conclusion
Gouache painting is a fun way to create vibrant, rich art that stands out.
You can use a variety of brushes to create the artwork you want, and we hope this review has helped you find the best brushes for gouache for your needs.