Travel watercolour brushes are essential for any artist who wants to take their art on the go. Whether you’re travelling to a new destination or just heading out into nature, having a reliable travel brush can make all the difference. A good travel watercolour brush should be lightweight, durable, and have a variety of sizes and shapes to suit your needs.
In this guide, we review 5 travel brushes made for watercolour and gouache painting. So you can find the best travel watercolour brush for your budget and needs.
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Da Vinci Casaneo Synthetic Squirrel Watercolor Travel Brushes
The Da Vinci Casaneo Synthetic Squirrel Watercolor Travel Brushes are a great choice for any artist on the go. These brushes feature synthetic Kazan squirrel hair bristles, which offer superior fluid-holding capacity, fine points and spring. Compared to other brushes, these are on the softer side. So if you’re looking for an especially springy brush, Escoda Versatil may be a better option. The absorbency of this brush is unparalleled. For artists that want to create layers of washes, they will help to create a nice even coverage.
The bristles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from quill rounds to square and travel rounds. The round brushes are great for tiny details, while the square brushes are suitable for more painterly watercolour techniques. Compared to other travel watercolour brushes, these offer more shape option.
The quality of these brushes is top notch, with excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. They are also very portable, making them ideal for plein air painting or other outdoor activities. The handle can be removed to use as a cap, so the bristles can be protected and packed away compactly.
Finally, they are compatible with a wide range of painting mediums such as watercolour, gouache, acrylics and ink. Because the bristles are synthetic you can use them with acrylic, which may be an advantage for those who enjoy using different mediums.
Raphaël Precision Travel Brushes
The Raphaël Precision Travel Brushes feature imitation sable hair, allowing them to hold watercolour, gouache, acrylics, and more. The shorter handles make them ideal for painting on the go.
Raphaël has been producing high-quality art supplies since 1793 in France. They are one of the oldest brush makers in Europe and are known for their commitment to excellence in craftsmanship. Their brushes are made with only the finest materials and have become a favorite among professional artists around the world. Whether you’re an experienced painter or just starting out, Raphaël’s travel brush sets will provide you with everything you need to create beautiful works of art on the go.
Get the Raphaël Le Voyageur Travel Brush Wallet Set which includes a Soft Aqua (size 6) brush, a Soft Aqua Quill (size 3/0) and a Precision Round (size 0). It comes beautifully presented in a travel wallet, so it’s ideal for taking outdoors for plein air watercolour painting. It has all the brush types you would need for creating large washes, tiny details and for using a variety of watercolour techniques.
Princeton Neptune Series 4750 Synthetic Squirrel Travel Brushes
The Princeton Neptune Series 4750 Synthetic Squirrel Travel Brushes are the perfect choice for artists looking for a brush that offers precision and control. The softest synthetic squirrel hair bristles provide superior dexterity and control when painting, allowing for smooth and elastic brush strokes. These brushes come in four sizes (4, 6, 8, 10) and feature a unique quill shape that is both lightweight and portable. The price point of these brushes is also quite reasonable compared to other brands like Da Vinci Casaneo Travel Brushes or Raphael Precision Travel Brushes.
The Princeton Neptune Series 4750 Synthetic Squirrel Travel Brushes offer a great combination of quality and affordability. They are well-crafted with attention to detail, providing an excellent painting experience. The bristles are soft yet durable, making them ideal for watercolour painting as well as other mediums such as acrylics or oils. The lightweight design makes them easy to transport from one location to another without sacrificing any of the quality or performance. All in all, these brushes are an excellent choice for any artist looking for a reliable travel brush set at an affordable price point.
Escoda Versatil Travel Brush
Escoda Versatil Travel Brushes are a great choice for artists who are looking for a quality brush that won’t break the bank. They hold their tapered point well and snap back into place during use. Made from synthetic Kolinsky fibres, these are a great option for those who want a cheaper brush that can also be used with acrylic.
The attractive metal cap can either fit over the tip of the brush to protect the bristles whilst being transported, or it can attach to the end of the handle to make it a normal watercolour brush size.
These brushes are handcrafted with superior materials and offer exceptional snap, superior absorption, and fluid retention. They also feature increased colour retention when compared to other watercolour brushes made from synthetic kolinsky hairs.
One of the advantages of the Escoda Versatil Travel Brushes is their price point. They are more affordable than genuine Kolinsky brushes. Additionally, they come in a variety of sizes ranging from #2 to #12, allowing you to find the perfect size for your needs.
Silver Brush Black Velvet Voyage Travel Brushes
Made with natural squirrel hair, the Silver Brush Black Velvet Voyage Travel Brushes feature a black handle and flexible bristles that provide superior absorbency. Squirrel hair is softer and has less elasticity compared to kolinsky sable or synthetic hairs, however, the black synthetic risslon filaments that the Silver Brush has been made with give the brush a signature ‘snap’. Therefore the bristles hold their point well during use.
Just like the other brushes on the list, the brush handles can be removed and used as caps to protect the bristles in transport.
The brush heads are also resistant to wear and abrasion, allowing them to maintain their shape over time.
The Black Velvet Voyage Travel Brushes from Silver Brush come in four sizes (2, 4, 6, 8). There are fewer sizes available compared to other brands. However they have enough variation to satisfy artists who want to create detail works to medium sized wash techniques. so you can find the perfect brush for all your painting needs. Although there are fewer sizes available, one of the benefits of the Silver Brush travel brushes is that they are cheaper compared to other brands. Their largest size is under $35 (at time of posting), and a set of all four brushes is around $122.
Overall, the Silver Brush Black Velvet Voyage Travel Brush is an excellent choice for artists looking for a reliable set of travel brushes that offer superior performance at an affordable price point.
Finally
No matter what type of travel watercolour brush you choose, it’s important to select one that fits your needs and budget. With so many options available, you’re sure to find the perfect brush for your next adventure!
If you want to learn about other types of watercolour brushes, including sable and other natural hair bristle brushes, read our review of the best watercolour brushes for artists.