Gift shopping for an artist can be tough if you’re not knowledgable about art supplies. But it can be easier when you know what kinds of materials and tools they already love because they will always be happy with restocking their supplies.
Product of the Month - May 2021 - daVinci CosmoTop Spin Travel Brushes
It’s time for another Product of the Month. I’m mostly sharing art supplies at this point, but I know for sure that next month will be something different. I find so many random products useful in my line of work and in my life, and I really love to share about them when I can. Any time I’m traveling with others, we end up shopping among everyone’s gear and supplies.
There are a few affiliate links in this post. Using them is up to you, but when you do, know that I say “thank you” out loud from my office and my kids wonder if I’m talking to myself.
I love to travel, and when there isn’t a pandemic, I love to travel with my Art Toolkit, which I wrote about here; in case I have the time to paint en plein air. While the kit came with a great water brush, I still prefer to use a traditional brush with a cup of water. I have a plastic cup I usually stuff in my backpack and I’m sure I’ll buy myself a collapsable cups when my son and I start backpacking again this year.
A few years ago I bought a size 3, synthetic travel brush from daVinci to give it a try and I was surprised how often I use it; even when I’m at home. It’s really perfect for travel and to fit in small spaces. The synthetic bristles hold their shape really well and a great amount of water for the smaller surfaces I work on. I bought a couple more sizes earlier this year and I have loved using them.
daVinci makes kolinsky sable and red sable versions of their travel brushes, but they are more expensive and I wasn’t willing to spend that much more on brushes that would potentially get beat up.
When I’m not using my travel brushes, I do love my kolinsky sable brushes from Trekell and I am always on the lookout for new brushes to fall in love with. I know that the manufacturers of synthetic brushes are making them better and better so we don’t have to rely on animal hair for high quality anymore. I have my eye on a few, but I’m waiting for them to go on sale.
What are your favorite brushes for watercolor??