Silver Brush Limited WC-3204s Black Velvet Watercolor Round Set, Set of 3, Sizes 0, 2, and 4 Round Paintbrushes, Short Handle

I love these brushes! I was a little nervous at first, because the oval wash brush had some hairs sticking out from the side on arrival, and I have never seen a high-quality brush do that unless it had been missed handled in an art store. I worried that maybe I had been sold knock off brushes. But I suspect that it might just be because of the way that thing “cat’s tongue“ style brush had been cut, and maybe it’s harder to keep every single hair stuck in place with with the gum Arabic binder. The other brushes and said in the set didn’t have this issue. Once I wet the oval wash brush and rinsed it out, it was fine, and when I shaped the brush into position before I let it dry afterward, it looked perfect after drying.The bushes held plenty of water, and using the old wash brush was a dream! Pairing this brush with some new high-quality engram watercolor paints and 140 pound, 100% cotton after color paper, I finally got the flowing, magical washes of color that I see on so many YouTube tutorials.I liked that the mix of real squirrel hair with synthetic Weslo I see so many YouTube tutorials.I liked that the mix of real squirrel hair with synthetic Risslon fibers Give me just the right blend of water dispersion and control. I didn’t think I would like to paint with real squirrel hair (and at this point I still haven’t), because I didn’t think I would like the floppiness of real squirrel, but I really wanted brushes that would hold a lot of water. This brush held it’s shape (without the strong “snap back” of a full synthetic, while delivering plenty of water. It was so wonderful that I now think I’d like a couple of 100% squirrel brushes, at least for washes.I will try to update the review with a little more on the performance of the brushes. But comparing them side to side to the Master’s Touch golden taklon brushes that I got at hobby lobby, which are a good price for the inexpensive price and came recommended by Steve on the “Mind of Watercolor” YouTube channel (as did these Silver Brush Black Velvet brushes, which are some of his favorite), the Black Velvet are so much better and totally worth the money.I would say even a new watercolor artist would be better off buying this set of three then to buy 20 of a nice-but-less-expensive brushes. And you can do most of the things you need with this set. In fact, the tips are so sharp on the wash and the number eight round brush that you almost don’t even need the liner brush. The tips are super pointy and amazing! Much better than any of the other brushes I have, including my less expensive liner brushes.I can understand if you are brand new to watercolor and aren’t sure if you will stay with it, you might not want to spend this much. In that case, I would recommend one or two Master’s Touch golden taklon brushes from Hobby Lobby to start. Their Masters Touch art supplies go on sale for 50% off at least once a month, wait until then. A round brush (#8 or #6 maybe) and a 3/4” or 1” oval wash. Start with those, and if you like watercolor, then get this set (the one with the oval wash, liner, and #8 round). But if you can afford this set, start with it. If you start with bad paper, paint, or brushes, you might give up, thinking that the problem is you when it’s actually your supplies, because that almost happened to me.

They are very soft and hold a lot of water or paint. They have a sharp tip and they keep their shape. I think they are worth the price. I have good control once I get warmed up. The handle and where the feral meet is good and sturdy. They would be good for other media also.

I have used these brushes many times now on watercolor and gouache paintings. They are some of the best detail brushes I have ever owned. They look a but scruffy when completely dry, but when wet, they have excellent points.

Love these brushes!

These are some of the best brushes I've ever had. They are so soft and such high quality. The amount of water that they hold is amazing and additionally, they don't just bleed it all out at once as soon as they touch the paper. I feel like I have so much control over what I'm doing! The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because they should give you something better than the liner brush. I can't see myself using it as it is so thin and long and hard to manage. Additionally, it came slightly frayed but I've barely used it so I can't say for sure if it will consistently come together with water or not. But the size 8 brush is the best brush in the world and it get's such a fine point that I don't even need the liner. I can use that brush for everything except the large washes.Definitely a staple for me but I probably won't buy this set again in the future because of the liner brush, I'll just buy them individually to suit my needs.

Before I got these brushes, I was worried that they might be nice to paint with, but that they wouldn't last, or that I would have to baby them. The first statement is an understatement. They are fantastic watercolor brushes. They hold an enormous amount of water. They keep their shape and come to a very nice, fine point. Even the middle-sized brush, which is very versatile can get some respectable line work done with the fine point, but it also is good for washes. The large one is a great big mop, excellent for larger washes. The fine one is essentially a rigger, but the bristles aren't quite as long as other riggers I've had, which frankly I think makes it easier to work with.So for the resilient part, I have a story to tell. The first time I was painting with this set I had my pre-school aged son painting with his set of ikea watercolor at the same table. While I was still getting my supplies together I look at him and to my horror, he has my brand new fine squirrel hair brush and he is in the process of scrubbing his page with it. By the time I noticed there were hairs pointing at 90 degrees going out from the ferring in all directions. I calmly took it and reformed the point. The hairs stuck right back into their original position and I have never had a problem with that brush, it's totally usable for line work. I don't recommend you do the same, but the story should demonstrate that these brushes, in addition to being very high quality, can definitely stand up to normal use.

These brushes hold paints and the pigment flows from them like I know what I’m doing

Nice brushes reasonable cost. Great point. Prompt delivery