Gouache is a versatile paint medium used by artists to create stunning illustrations, designs, and paintings. It is a water-based paint that is known for its opaque quality and vibrant colors. One of the essential tools for working with gouache is a good set of gouache brushes. Gouache brushes are designed to work with the unique properties of gouache paint, allowing artists to achieve the desired effects and textures.
When choosing the best gouache brushes, there are several critical factors to consider. The type of brush hair, the shape of the brush, and the size of the brush are all important considerations. The type of hair used in the brush affects the way the paint is applied, while the shape and size of the brush determine the type of strokes that can be made.
We spent countless hours researching and testing ten gouache brushes to identify the ones that make working with gouache easy and enjoyable. In this article, we will share our findings and provide you with a comprehensive guide to choosing the best gouache brushes for your needs.
Best Gouache Brushes
We understand that finding the right gouache brush can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the medium. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best gouache brushes available on Amazon. Our team of experts has tested and evaluated each brush on this list to ensure that they meet our high standards for quality, performance, and value. Whether you’re a professional artist or a beginner, these brushes will help you achieve the perfect strokes and textures for your gouache paintings. So, without further ado, here are our top picks for the best gouache brushes on Amazon.
1. Transon Artist Paint Brush Set of 12 for Watercolor Acrylic Gouache Oil and Tempera Painting 12PCS
We highly recommend the Transon Artist Paint Brush Set for anyone looking for a versatile and high-quality set of gouache brushes.
Pros
- The set includes a wide range of brush shapes and sizes, making it suitable for a variety of painting techniques and media.
- The brushes are made with high-grade nylon and are hand-crafted with rigorous quality control, resulting in a durable and long-lasting product.
- The ergonomic handle grip and 5-layer smooth paint finished handles make for a comfortable and easy painting experience.
Cons
- Some users have reported issues with the brushes shedding after multiple uses.
- The brushes may not be suitable for very fine detail work.
- The set may be more expensive than other budget options on the market.
The Transon Artist Paint Brush Set is a practical and versatile set of brushes suitable for a variety of painting techniques and media. The set includes 12 different brush shapes and sizes, including flat, filbert, angle, round, and liner brushes. The brushes are made with high-grade nylon and are hand-crafted with rigorous quality control, ensuring a durable and long-lasting product. The ergonomic handle grip and 5-layer smooth paint finished handles make for a comfortable and easy painting experience.
However, some users have reported issues with the brushes shedding after multiple uses, which may be a concern for some artists. Additionally, while the set includes a variety of brush shapes and sizes, it may not be suitable for very fine detail work. Finally, the set may be more expensive than other budget options on the market, which may be a consideration for some consumers.
Overall, we believe that the Transon Artist Paint Brush Set is a high-quality and practical option for anyone looking for a versatile set of gouache brushes.
2. HIMI Little Bird Paint Brushes Set
We highly recommend the HIMI Little Bird Paint Brushes Set for anyone looking for high-quality gouache brushes.
Pros
- The set includes a wide brush, three fan brushes, and one liner brush, making it easy to match all of your art painting needs.
- The pen holder is made of high-quality birch, which is not easy to crack. The nickel-plated copper tube is good hardness and not easy to be corroded, ensuring a long service life.
- These brushes are suitable for gouache, acrylics, oil, miniatures, models, nails, and are great for art teachers and adults.
Cons
- The bigger brushes don’t properly hold paint.
- The white bristles get stained easily.
- The brushes are a bit stiff at first.
We found that these brushes have good water control and friction resistance, and are easy to carry. They are perfect for beginners and professionals alike. Simply clean the brushes with warm water immediately after use, reshape the brush tip, and leave the brush to dry at room temperature. We appreciate the 30-day money-back policy and the excellent customer service provided by HIMI.
Overall, we think the HIMI Little Bird Paint Brushes Set is a great value for the price and highly recommend it to anyone looking for high-quality gouache brushes.
3. ARTIFY 24 Pieces Paint Brush Set
If you’re looking for a high-quality gouache brush set, the ARTIFY 24 Pieces Paint Brush Set is a great choice.
Pros
- The ferrules are securely glued, preventing them from coming off easily.
- The nylon bristles are of high quality and do not shed, ensuring that your painting remains clean.
- The brush collection includes 24 different shapes and sizes to suit your needs.
Cons
- The brushes may not be as firm as some users would prefer.
- The flat wide brushes may not be as wide as advertised.
- The bristles may be too soft for oil or acrylic paints.
We’ve used this brush set and found it to be of excellent quality. The bristles are made of premium nylon hair imported from Korea, ensuring that the brush construction is significantly advanced in terms of water absorption quantity and speed. The shape is not distorted even after long-term use, and the elasticity is excellent.
The brush collection includes liner, flat, angular, filbert, round, fan, and comb brushes, making it suitable for detailed paintings or large coat applications. Every stroke comes to life with this set.
The nylon cloth roll is stylish, light, and flexible enough to be stored in a carry bag or backpack. It also provides essential protection for your tools from unwanted damage. The high-density nylon is comfortable and delicate in your hands and, at the same time, waterproof and oil-proof for the instruments it holds.
In conclusion, we highly recommend the ARTIFY 24 Pieces Paint Brush Set for anyone looking for a high-quality gouache brush set. It’s versatile, durable, and provides excellent value for money.
4. Transon Art Painting Brush Assorted Set of 12
We highly recommend the Transon Art Painting Brush Assorted Set of 12 for anyone looking for a basic brush set that works well with different painting mediums.
Pros
- The variety of brush types included in the set is great for satisfying all your needs for art painting.
- The quality taklon bristles are soft, flexible and absorbent, and suitable for all levels of artists.
- The balanced handle with multiple-layer finish gives a comfortable grip and lasts with proper care.
Cons
- Some users reported that the nickel plated metal ferrules shed the nylon bristles after several uses.
- The fan brush doesn’t seem to have enough bristles and becomes spiky.
- The brush overall length is quite short, which may not be suitable for everyone.
We have used this brush set for a few weeks now and are impressed with the quality of the brushes. The set includes a great variety of brush types, including liner, round, flat, angle, filbert, dagger, fan, and rake, which are suitable for all kinds of painting surfaces. We have used them with different painting mediums like acrylics, watercolors, gouache, ink, tempera, and they have worked well with all of them.
The taklon bristles are soft, flexible, and absorbent, making them suitable for all levels of artists, whether beginners or professionals. We appreciate the balanced handle with multiple-layer finish, which gives a comfortable grip and lasts with proper care. However, some users reported that the nickel plated metal ferrules shed the nylon bristles after several uses, which is something to keep in mind.
Overall, the Transon Art Painting Brush Assorted Set of 12 is a great basic brush set that works well with different painting mediums, and we highly recommend it.
5. TRANSON Detail Model Paint Brushes 7pcs
If you’re looking for a set of detail paint brushes that work well with gouache, acrylic, watercolor, oil, miniatures, models, and more, the TRANSON Detail Model Paint Brushes 7pcs might be the right choice for you.
Pros
- Made from high-grade filaments that are anti-shedding and provide perfect spring-back
- Ergonomic handle made from solid birch wood with a comfortable grip and durable characteristic
- Comes in a value pack of 7 popular detail brush sizes
Cons
- Some customers have reported that the brushes do not keep a sharp point after day one
- The size range seems a bit off, with not much distinction between the big and small brushes
- The brushes are not suitable for heavy-duty painting jobs
We recently tried out the TRANSON Detail Model Paint Brushes 7pcs and were impressed with their performance. The high-grade filaments are anti-shedding and provide perfect spring-back, making it easy to apply paint precisely. The ergonomic handle is made from solid birch wood, which feels comfortable in your hand and is also durable. The value pack of 7 popular detail brush sizes is perfect for a variety of painting projects.
However, we did notice that the brushes did not keep a sharp point after day one, which might be an issue for some customers. Additionally, the size range seems a bit off, with not much distinction between the big and small brushes. Finally, these brushes are not suitable for heavy-duty painting jobs.
Overall, if you’re looking for a set of detail paint brushes that work well with gouache, acrylic, watercolor, oil, miniatures, models, and more, the TRANSON Detail Model Paint Brushes 7pcs are a great choice.
6. Fuumuui Sable Watercolor Brushes
If you’re looking for a versatile set of gouache brushes, the Fuumuui Sable Watercolor Brushes are definitely worth considering.
Pros
- The brushes come in a range of nine popular sizes, making them perfect for artists of all levels.
- Made from premium sable hairs, these brushes have great liquid holding ability and can hold their shape even after prolonged use.
- Suitable for use with various types of paint, including acrylic, watercolors, gouache, and oil paintings.
Cons
- Some users have reported occasional loose hairs.
- The largest brush in the set may not hold a fine point as well as some other brushes.
- The plastic protective cover on the largest brush may be pushed on past the bristle tip.
We found that the Fuumuui Sable Watercolor Brushes were sturdy and durable, with nickel-plated copper ferrules that were double-crimped to the handle. The polished birch wooden handle was comfortable to hold and did not bend or break even with long-term use.
The brushes are also backed by a 2-year warranty and a 90-day money-back policy, so you can buy with confidence. Customer satisfaction is a top priority for Fuumuui, and they offer 24-hour online customer service to answer any questions you may have.
Overall, we believe that the Fuumuui Sable Watercolor Brushes are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a versatile set of gouache brushes that are both durable and affordable.
7. CONDA Paint Brushes Set
We highly recommend the CONDA Paint Brushes Set for anyone looking for high-quality brushes at an affordable price.
Pros
- The set comes with 24 different brushes, making it a great value for the price.
- The brushes are made with high-quality nylon materials, minimizing the possibility of hair loss.
- The ferrules are securely attached to the brushes, preventing them from coming off easily.
Cons
- Some users may find that the brushes are not as durable as more expensive options.
- The brushes may not work as well with certain types of paint.
- The set does not come with a case for storing the brushes.
We were impressed with the CONDA Paint Brushes Set during our testing. The brushes are well-made and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit any painting project. We appreciated that the ferrules were securely attached to the brushes, as this prevented any issues with loose or falling hairs.
One potential downside of the set is that the brushes may not be as durable as more expensive options. However, we found that they held up well during our testing and should be suitable for most casual painters.
Overall, we believe that the CONDA Paint Brushes Set is an excellent choice for anyone looking for high-quality brushes at an affordable price. Whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced artist, this set has everything you need to get started on your next painting project.
8. Transon Art Painting Brush Assorted Set of 12 for Acrylic Watercolor Gouache Hobby Painting Blue-12pcs
If you are looking for a versatile brush set that works with different painting media like watercolors, acrylics, oil, gouache, tempera, and on all kinds of surfaces, then the Transon Art Painting Brush Assorted Set of 12 is perfect for you.
Pros
- The synthetic bristles of these brushes are soft, flexible, and absorbent, making them suitable for all levels of artists, whether you are a beginner or a professional.
- The set includes 12 different brushes, including rigger, liner, round, flat, angle, filbert, fan, and rake, to satisfy all your needs for art painting.
- These brushes are suitable for painting on all kinds of surface, including canvas painting, body painting, rock painting, craft painting, and more.
Cons
- Some users have reported that the fan brush doesn’t seem to have enough bristles and becomes spiky.
- The brush overall length is 7.9”- 8.7”, which may be too short for some users.
- The blue color of the brushes may fade after several washes.
We recently tried out the Transon Art Painting Brush Assorted Set of 12, and we were impressed with the quality of the synthetic taklon bristles. They are not made of cheap materials and are carefully selected to ensure softness, flexibility, and absorption. We tested the brushes with watercolors, acrylics, and gouache, and they worked well with all of them. The set includes a great variety of brushes, which allowed us to experiment with different techniques and styles.
The brushes are suitable for all levels of artists, and we think they are a great choice for beginners who want to try out different types of brushes without breaking the bank. We also appreciate that the brushes can be used on different surfaces, which makes them versatile and practical. The only downside we found is that the fan brush doesn’t seem to have enough bristles and can become spiky, which may affect the quality of the strokes.
Overall, we think the Transon Art Painting Brush Assorted Set of 12 is a great value for the price, and we would recommend it to anyone looking for a versatile and affordable brush set.
9. Transon Artist Paint Brush Set of 12 for Watercolor Acrylic Gouache Oil and Tempera Painting 12PCS
If you’re looking for a versatile paint brush set that can handle different media, the Transon Artist Paint Brush Set of 12 is a solid choice.
Pros
- The high-grade nylon bristles are hand-crafted and made to rigorous standard and quality control, ensuring a smooth painting experience.
- The ergonomic handle grip and 5-layer smooth paint finished handles provide a comfortable grip for extended use.
- The 12 brushes come in a range of shapes, including flat, filbert, angle, round, and liner, making them suitable for a wide range of painting styles.
Cons
- Some users have reported that the brushes shed bristles after a few uses.
- The brushes may not hold enough water for watercolor painting.
- The double-crimped aluminum ferrules may come loose over time.
In our experience, the Transon Artist Paint Brush Set of 12 is a practical and versatile set that can handle different painting styles. We’ve used these brushes for general art painting, body painting, canvas painting, and more, and they’ve held up well.
The brushes are well-made, with a dual-color flexible taklon and exquisite design that makes them stand out from other paint brush sets. We appreciate the range of shapes and sizes, which allows us to experiment with different painting techniques.
One thing to note is that the brushes may shed bristles after a few uses, so it’s important to clean them thoroughly after each use. We’ve also found that the brushes may not hold enough water for watercolor painting, which could be a downside for some users.
Overall, if you’re looking for a versatile paint brush set that can handle different media, the Transon Artist Paint Brush Set of 12 is a solid choice. Just be aware of the potential issues with shedding bristles and water retention.
Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing the best gouache brushes, there are a few things to consider. Here are some factors to keep in mind when making your selection:
Brush Shape
The shape of the brush is an important consideration. Different shapes are better suited for different techniques and applications. For example, flat brushes are great for large areas and washes, while round brushes are ideal for detail work and precision.
Brush Size
The size of the brush will also impact its performance. Larger brushes are better suited for covering large areas quickly, while smaller brushes are better for detail work and precision.
Brush Material
The material of the brush will impact its performance and durability. Natural hair brushes are typically more expensive but offer superior performance, while synthetic brushes are more affordable and easier to clean.
Brush Handle
The handle of the brush is another important consideration. Look for a handle that is comfortable to hold and provides good grip. A longer handle may be more comfortable for some users, while a shorter handle may be better for others.
Brush Price
Finally, consider your budget when choosing a gouache brush. While high-end brushes may offer superior performance, they may not be necessary for all users. Look for a brush that offers good performance at a price point that works for you.
In summary, when choosing a gouache brush, consider the shape, size, material, handle, and price to find the best option for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of brushes are best for gouache?
When it comes to gouache painting, we recommend using brushes with natural hair bristles, such as sable, kolinsky, or goat hair. These types of brushes hold more water and paint, allowing for better control and coverage. Synthetic brushes can also be used, but they may not hold as much paint and can be more difficult to control.
What is the best round brush for gouache?
The best round brush for gouache painting depends on personal preference and the specific project. However, we recommend using a size 6 or 8 round brush with a pointed tip for detailed work, and a larger size 10 or 12 round brush for larger areas and washes.
Are squirrel hair brushes good for gouache?
Yes, squirrel hair brushes can be good for gouache painting because they hold a lot of water and paint, allowing for better control and coverage. However, they can be more expensive than other natural hair brushes and may not be as durable.
What are the top-rated gouache brush sets?
Some of the top-rated gouache brush sets include the Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Brush Set, the Da Vinci Watercolor Brush Set, and the Princeton Artist Brush Elite Set.
Where can I find reviews of gouache brushes?
You can find reviews of gouache brushes on art supply websites, such as Dick Blick or Jerry’s Artarama, as well as on online marketplaces like Amazon. You can also check out art blogs and YouTube channels for reviews and recommendations.
Can I use acrylic brushes for gouache?
While acrylic brushes can be used for gouache painting, they may not hold as much water and paint as natural hair brushes, and may not provide the same level of control and coverage. We recommend using natural hair brushes specifically designed for gouache painting for the best results.
