A Mottler is very similar to the conventional flat brush. Includes: Quill 6, Aquarelle 1/2", Round 8, and Mottler 1", Includes: Aquarelle 3/4", Round 4, Round 12, and Oval Wash 1/2", Lettering with Princeton and Artist Jeannie Dickson, Explore the Princeton Floral Set with Esther Peck, Princetons Aspen Brushes with Jed Dorsey, Explore Neptune with Pooja Kenjale-Umrani, Explore Catalyst Blades and Wedges with Courtney Senior, Velvetouch Petals - The Ultimate Floral Brush, Real Value - Series 9100 - Short Handle Sets, Real Value - Series 9100 - Long Handle Sets, Soft and supple with an even release of color, More durable and affordable than squirrel. And just in time for World Watercolor Month- yeehaa! The hair becomes thin at both ends with a thicker middle giving it a nice point (for clear strokes) and a thick middle (that holds water well). Australian Dollar AUD $Brazilian Real BRL R$British Pound Sterling GBP Bulgarian Lev BGNCanadian Dollar CAD $Chinese Yuan Renminbi CNY CNCroatian Kuna HRK knDanish Krone DKK krEuro EUR Hong Kong Dollar HKD $Hungarian Forint HUF FtIcelandic Krna ISK IkrIndian Rupee INR RsIndonesian Rupiah IDR RpIsraeli New Sheqel ILS Japanese Yen JPY Malaysian Ringgit MYR RMMexican Peso MXNNew Taiwan Dollar TWD NT$New Zealand Dollar NZD NZ$Norwegian Krone NOK krPhilippine Peso PHP Polish Zloty PLN zRomanian Leu RON RONSaudi Riyal SAR SRSingapore Dollar SGD S$South African Rand ZAR RSouth Korean Won KRW Swedish Krona SEK krSwiss Franc CHF Fr.Thai Baht THB Turkish Lira TRY TLUS Dollar USD $United Arab Emirates Dirham AED. Looking for something that will hold more water Impressive brush control. But the Princeton brushes are built to last and I will definitely buy more. However, these dont have a lot of spring in the tip (unlike the sable brushes). thank you. Click the brush name links for pricing and sizes. It is informative, educational for my knowledge of brushes, and I feel it is coming from someone who has the time to share details with other artists. Press J to jump to the feed. Princeton gives their Elite series a '2' on the softness scale, with '1' being the softest and '5' the hardest. Receive new product releases and brand promotions, plus material reviews, tips and techniques, and artist interviews. Velvetouch Round Series 3950 by Princeton $ 3.68 - $ 7.73 I cant help you exactly as I dont own a Black Velvet (Im dying to get my hands on one) but I can talk about the Neptune quill I bought. This post is timed with Inktober. That series might be suitable for many other folks. I love it for doing quick little animals, Cats and bear and. We really appreciate the time and energy you put into this. Thanks Yukari . These watercolor brushes for beginners come in three sizes: 4, 8 and 12. The usual flat or round brush might be fine for you, or you might find one of these shapes can really improve your painting experience. Not for any reason other than I think they look neat. Each individual hair is pleated just like pure Kolinsky, not smooth like most synthetics. Not exactly like using the real thing, but for the price, darn nice brushes. Australian Dollar AUD $Brazilian Real BRL R$British Pound Sterling GBP Bulgarian Lev BGNCanadian Dollar CAD $Chinese Yuan Renminbi CNY CNCroatian Kuna HRK knDanish Krone DKK krEuro EUR Hong Kong Dollar HKD $Hungarian Forint HUF FtIndian Rupee INR RsIndonesian Rupiah IDR RpIsraeli New Sheqel ILS Japanese Yen JPY Malaysian Ringgit MYR RMMexican Peso MXNNew Taiwan Dollar TWD NT$New Zealand Dollar NZD NZ$Norwegian Krone NOK krPhilippine Peso PHP Polish Zloty PLN zRomanian Leu RON RONSingapore Dollar SGD S$South African Rand ZAR RSouth Korean Won KRW Swedish Krona SEK krSwiss Franc CHF Fr.Thai Baht THB Turkish Lira TRY TLUS Dollar USD $United Arab Emirates Dirham AED. When we set out to create a synthetic version of squirrel, we developed a brush that may actually outperform the natural version. I have a couple Princeton Neptunes and like them. . They have great snap, good spring, wicking and carrying capacity, even release and theyre surprisingly easy to clean. Thank you so much! Thats why Ive put together a list of my best picks for different painting brush categories. The sets below are NextGen synthetics that perform like professional quality natural hair brushes. A lil jealous of those travel brushes, gotta be honest . When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Along with a 4 script. I enjoy exploring art techniques, playing with colors, and capturing life around me through urban sketches and illustrations. Round brushes are the most versatile shape. 1 Flat Wash Brush: Princeton Neptune. More info in the link above, or click here. You can twist and twirl it too. Also, think about where you like to hold the brush this determines the length of the handle. LOL Seeing all the brushes available was impressive and a bit overwhelming. The Dagger Striper is sort of a do it all brush. We are proud to offer Neptune in a beautiful range of shapes including mottlers and quills with rich wood tones and sea glass aquarelle handles. Will you be doing a review on those, or did they work as well as the regular set? This is detailed art at its best. Synthetics are often more durable and usually less expensive. Ill let people know if they ask. It points out that brushes left to dry in the elevated position allow water seepage through the ferrel and into the wood, which then expands the wood. best cancer hospital in maryland usb power adapter near hinckley princeton black velvet Posted by on Sep 10, 2022 in kids water bottle stainless steel | billabong crossfire elastic 19'' hybrid shorts Do you happen to know the stiffness rating for them? Great! I dont know where you find the time to write such extensive reviews, but I really appreciate the depth of info that you always provide. Where is a good place to buy this Princeton snap brush? Create an account. Round Size 12 Wash Brush: Princeton Neptune #8 Round: Princeton Aqua Elite #6 Round: Princeton Aqua Elite #4 Round: Princeton Aqua Elite. And, the deciding factor is the type of hair or bristle used in the brush. " Black Velvet " is a song written by Canadian songwriters Christopher Ward and David Tyson, and recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Alannah Myles. The Elite brushes do better than other synthetics Ive used (except possibly for the Neptune). If you like making abstract and spontaneous strokes choose a long handle. Im a big fan of the velvet touch long rounds for most of what I do in watercolor. Never Miss A Moment Of The Adventure! I started this review talking about Bang for the Buck. Real Squirrel and to a lesser extent Faux Squirrel just arent stiff, so they flop around willy nilly. No, but I do tend to put them in a jar with brush tip up. Maybe these type of things arent a big deal, some people dont care much about brushes, and some are connoisseurs, but it all rolls into our choice making-gnothi seauton.. You already seen the flat solid line that the Mottler makes. I am not down with BPP I CANT leave the stickers on. Im going to follow your articles from now on. It was released in January 1990 as one of four singles from Myles' 1989 eponymous album from Atlantic Records. . Is it so thick for a mans hand?? Now on to the five sets of synthetic brushes they sent along for review. I would not choose dickbkick and have little experience with others like cheap joes, jerrys artarama etc. This is where youll find the details printed out like the size and brand name. Which brand is better? $22.95 $13.77 $9.18. Notice the angle of the bristles in the two photos and the difference in the flow. The trick is to sift through reviews and find a genuine brush. Its so great to know there are other crazy people around who love art supplies as much as I do! horses and giraffes. It is preferable to buy a good quality synthetic brush. Thank you, Jessica for another wonderful review. Im going to try a different method and see if that helps. What kind of marks can you make with them? The capacity of a brush refers to how much water/paint a brush can hold. Results provided come from our own database and in most cases are not comprehensive since the beginning of Terrific article, Jessica. Princeton Heritage 4000 Synthetic Sable Series Princeton Snap Brushes and Sets Grumbacher Watercolor Short Handle Brand Brush Names: Richeson Synthetic Brushes Black Velvet, Silver Black Velvet Princeton Neptune Winsor & Newton Series 7 (Kolinsky Sable) Water Cartridge Brushes Studio Series Aqua Brush Set Niji Waterbrush Set Pros: Hold a lot of water - These brushes hold water well and still hold their shape. Pink Pig sketchbooks? They are synthetic The Elite is a stiffer brush and a synthetic Kolinsky. Receive new product releases and brand promotions, plus material reviews, tips and techniques, and artist interviews. Silver Brush : Black Velvet : Squirrel & Risslon Brush : Series 3000S : Round : Size 20. | See details Buy artist painting brushes for watercolor, acrylic, and oil at Italian Art Store.. Princeton : Neptune and Silver Brush : Atelier Have you used Silver Black Velvet brushes? By itself, squirrel is delicate. These are beautiful brushes, with well-made wood tone handles. Strong and springy, these brushes work well with dry brush and rough techniques. Some of the shots below have more than four because they sent along some singles. Thank you so much! A round brush 2 helps to add in the details like electrical poles and wires in a cityscape. But the fibers are often not described if its faux this or that. Ive been there too, struggling to find the best brushes, watercolors and art supplies for my style. Why are they all so thick and the ferrules so shiny bling!?? Thank you for reviewing the Princeton line. My main loves are Watercolor, Zentangle and Ballpoint pen. They both hold quite a bit more water and pigment than the usual craft store brushes. Its nice to know that Im not alone in my paint brush neuroses. I dont think these brushes handle exactly like Kolinskys, except sometimes they almost do. Having one good sable will be enough to create any kind of work from detailed work to loose washes. Ive loved Princeton brushes but was utterly disappointed in the Neptune Quill: fat, fluffy, doesnt hold any kind of point. Genius. oh well. Neptune are 100% Synthetic, but a Faux Squirrel, but hold water much more like a natural hair brush. Hi Im the Doodlewash Supply Blogger and offer reviews of various types of art supplies, watercolors, and helpful tips. The quill is size 6 and soaks up copious quantities of water and pigment. Anyway, very expressive! The first week of World Watercolor Month has started off with tremendous fun and enthusiasm with thousands of artists Every now and again, a curated palette goes viral in the watercolor community. Enter your email address to get notifications of new blog posts by email. Wicking refers to how much water/paint a brush will suck up if it is dryer than the paint on the paper. Youll find them useful for making washes (like clear sky or a still water) and bold linear strokes (rectangular shapes of houses). In the photos above you can see that Ive dunked a dry clean mottler into a very watery mix of paint and after only a few seconds the bristles have absorbed paint almost up to the edge of the ferrule. I like both of these lines of brushes. If I had to pick, I would pick the Heritage Series for its fat belly and fine point, but that is splitting hairs because they truly are all nice and affordable brushes. []. Like intricate botanical illustrations? They are best used as wash and mop brushes. Heritage was developed for Princeton by master Japanese brush-maker Naohide Takamoto, the Tak in taklon. These are the Princeton flagship series. CHARLIE OSHIELDS As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.#allisonlyonart Looked like it worked great. Thank you! Look for China bristles which tend to have the best quality. The only difference I notice between that and my other synthetic brushes is that it does not exactly spring. Elite brushes are formulated to act like Kolinsky Sable brushes. I love the Neptune brushes as well. Dont have neptune. This is a nice size brush for paintings those fences in the distance, or the smaller branches of a tree. The very best watercolor brushes use sable hair. You notice the flat handle most when you turn the brush to use the corners or hold the brush parallel to the paper so you can use the tip of the brush. 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (578) $102.03 $ 102. FLASH $65. New videos weekly. FREEBIES! It is not a good idea to get paint under your ferrule as it can cause damage over the long run and cause problems with cleaning. We use cookies to improve your experience on our website and to show you personalised content. I found the dagger and oval washes were the most prone to splaying or losing shape. The Black Velvet is a mix of synthetic and real squirrel hair so it would be more comparable to the Princeton Neptune, a fully synthetic squirrel. I found all the Elite brushes to work very well at wicking. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Betsy, I am more interested in your description of these brushes than I am of the brushes. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. As you can see- Im not really good at lettering, but it gives you an idea. Art Ignition is reader-supported. I got a little carried away with the dagger brush. Thanks for yet another in-depth, easy to follow review, Jessica. Post resources such as tutorials, ask questions, learn about and the art of watercolor! I bought a second one as a replacement, but I continue on with the well used version, we have a relationship of sorts. I use a 10/0 Select Series 3750more than any other brush. Now, lets look at the different types of natural hair brushes available for watercolor painting. Neptune Series 4750 faux squirrel. We use cookies to improve your experience on our website and to show you personalised content. I honestly can not tell this is not squirrel. [] the brushes, my favorites are from Princeton Artist Brush. However, if your objective is to achieve some degree of reflection control throughout the entire room, a combination of both approaches might be optimal. BPP had me rolling on the floor. Im not very knowledgeable about brushes, so maybe time to invest in quality ones. The more expensive ones seem to do better. Ill have to pop those on my wish list. Silver Black Velvet Basic Watercolor Set (The Susan Louise Moyer Selection), #4. Black Gold are 50% Synthetic Squirrel / 50% Real Squirrel so should be a good brush. Amazon has some sizes and they are reliable with excellent vendors. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. HOWEVER, why guys can we not make a handle like the Arches**?? Excellent review, Sandra! Let me know if you have any other suggestions. Thanks, Jessica your reviews are always informative and fun. You can use it the same way as a flat brush, but it feels very different in the hand. My personal quest is to now find a way to prevent cracking and pealing; this is a problem with all brush companies, I tried fingernail polish but it didnt work. The Aqua Elite series of brushes is part of Princetons NextGen line: synthetic hair brushes with high performance. Thick paint usually works well with a stiffer hair. Thanx for the review. I find this works best for the larger brushes. Black fibers is almost always faux squirrel, which is what neptunes use, but the velvet are a blend of this and real squirrel. Copyright 2023 Princeton Artist Brush Company. Some other options for synthetic and blended brushes, easily available in the US, are: Ive been painting for a while and have slowly built up a set of watercolour brushes. I like to use them for washes and to mix large batches of paints. It is a bit more orange in real life but I couldnt get my scanner or photos to pick up the real color. 4 In Stock. Princeton, New Jersey is a very nice city in the north east. The brushes Im reviewing are all specialty shapes. They are usually made of harder bristles. Ive always wanted to try a white hair brush like these. The Black Velvet flats move more water than the Neptunes. My favourite is the Raphael SoftAqua Watercolor Brush Size 0. I like the balance and the grip that this brush gives me. Below are some more sizes of the Neptune range, including the 1/4' Dagger and the 1/4" flat. Princeton Artist Brush Co. is based out of Princeton, New Jersey, USA and is one of our sponsors for World Watercolor Month. I love detail, and I choose brushes that have the ability to do what I want. I have both. Speciality brushes support specific techniques. Wir freuen uns, Ihnen das brandneue Lego 41027 einfhren zu drfen! What is that beautiful golden-brown watercolor? and pigment. for this review. Its very helpful. I also believe that these are some of the best watercolor brushes. It would in fact have continued to suck up the paint all the way. With some practice, thats under your control and you can choose to blossom or not. Ive been a fan of their brushes for some time. Wondering which one is right for you? Tapered edge, fine point. Luckily the prices are such that new brushes dont break the bank. Princeton Elite Brush Review Review of Wild Plein Travel Brush Set Sketching & Watercolor Supplies for 2018 Watercolor Brushes: How to Test a Brush Watercolor Brushes: 5 Tips for Choosing a Brush The Best Watercolor Brushes for Beginners Watercolor Brushes: 5 Things You May Not Know Watercolor Brushes: 10 Tips for Proper Care These watercolor brushes for beginners and professionals can have surprisingly good performance. Ill have to pick up a pack of Heritage. If you are like me, this scene is all too familiar. Enter the Neptune. They have a fine point for detailed work and hold enough water for washes and broad strokes. Like a shiny truck. The other thing they do that I love- some of their flat wash and angled brushes come with a translucent handle with a chiseled end for scrapping. Hi Robin, thanks for the info on the tips curling. The wood on the Black velvet is a more solid feel, still it is not the same good feel of the wood of the Arches which truly is magnificent. The Elite has a nice even release. Pens and Ink for Artistic Applications, REVIEW: ArtBin Sidekick Art & Craft Supply Storage with Paint Palette Tray, REVIEW: Gansai Tambi Watercolors by Kuretake, Doodlewash - GUEST ARTIST: Aimless Strolling, Kind Trolling by Jenny Kroik, Doodlewash ~ GUEST DOODLEWASH: Unconcealed Beauty, GUEST ARTIST: Getting Started with Watercolors by Susan Chiang ~ Doodlewash, GUEST ARTIST: "Watercolor Painting Is My Meditation" by Anna Koliadych (DearAnnArt) ~ Doodlewash, GUEST ARTIST: "Creativity is Contagious: Have Fun With Watercolors as an Artistic Outlet" by Leslie Tieu ~ Doodlewash, REVIEW: Ohuhu 160-Color Dual Tipped Brush Markers Set and Marker Art Sketchbooks. Think of dense storm clouds. A Close Look at the Aqua Elite Brushes in the Review. Hehe- hi Steve! Youll also hear of different types of sables: Squirrel hair brushes are soft and dense with a naturally absorbent surface. The black velvet acts a bit like a squirrel hair but you can tell they added synthetics which give a little more spring than a regular all squirrel brush. All Rights Reserved.Website Custom Crafted by Bright Cloud Studio. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. [] Arches Cold Press Paints: Daniel Smith Tube Watercolors Brushes: Princeton Artist Brush Co. Heritage []. Scroll below to find links to my favorite brushes and supplies in this video!Watercolor Membership https://allisonlyonart.live/naturewithwatercoloryt SUPPLIES USED Shop All Supplies https://www.amazon.com/shop/allisonlyonartZen Art Watercolor Brush Set https://shop.zenartsupplies.co/products/black-tulip-mix-shapes-6-piece-professional-brush-set-for-watercolor-gouache-fluid-acrylics?ref=allisonlyon Roll Up Brush Organizer https://amzn.to/3ccDG2A Silver Black Velvet Round Brush Size 8 https://amzn.to/3lGSd9Q Silver Black Velvet Round Brush Size 2 https://amzn.to/31a6qm5 Silver Black Velvet Round Brush Size 4 https://amzn.to/2NHsIsl Silver Black Velvet Script Liner Brush Size 1 https://amzn.to/3lXRSzO Filbert Grainer Brush https://amzn.to/3vTaJAk Round Brush Size 0 https://amzn.to/3vO3EBb Princeton Neptune Brushes https://amzn.to/3lJsFsO Round Brush Size 8 https://amzn.to/3eZX3xE Liner Brush Size 1 https://amzn.to/3rkQJn3 Cheap (but ok quality) Brush Set https://amzn.to/2Pj4sNw WATERCOLOR CHALLENGES 10 Day Watercolor Woodland Animal Challenge https://allisonlyonart.live/watercoloranimalchallengeyt 10 Day Watercolor Bird Challenge https://allisonlyonart.live/watercolorbirdchallengeyt10 Day Watercolor Butterfly Challenge https://allisonlyonart.live/watercolorbutterflychallengeytDont forget to subscribe (and click the notification bell) if youd like to see more videos from me! To get sticker goo off, or wax, or oil.. use Bestine Rubber Cement Thinner (no any other brand they leave an oily residue!) Brian T Meyer You can find me on. There are 100s if not thousands of brushes available. Search Today! When you use good quality, natural hair brush, youll find that: Synthetic brushes have smooth fibres that dont hold as much water. I like both of these lines of brushes. tilley pocket bucket hat black m September 25, 2022 0 Comments. Lego 41027 - Der TOP-Favorit unserer Produkttester. Follow me on Instagram! Visited Cheap Joes home store in Boone, NC last week! Do you leave yours in the water a lot? Snaps to a brilliant tight elegant eensy point so meticulously and consistently I was SO happy! Then you should try these variations of a round brush: Watercolor brushes come with wooden, metal or plastic handles. The balance is very good in these brushes. Different brush stroke for different folks , Other things that comes into play are color, feel, and scent. Do you love making loose watercolors with broad strokes and an atmospheric feel? Have a black velvet oval mop and it feels no different than a pure squirrel. The following two series are good for mixed media use- meaning watercolor, acrylic, or oil. Personal preferences differ. [] cant really name any particular brand of brush. I use a Princeton size 4Siberia Series 7050 Kolinsky Sable pretty much exclusively for sumi ink sketching and painting- love this brush. I just wanted to say Im glad Princeton sent you the brushes for review as it has helped me tremendously. CHARLIE OSHIELDS Bestine is really hexane. Its a group for everyone who enjoys watercolor. For smaller brushes I prefer a bit more stiffness. Simple little doodles to show brush marks and I did lettering and lines with the tips- Heritage, Elite, Neptune, Velvetouch, Summit. Thanks Jessica! The feel of the brush, the weight, where youll hold it, what you can do with it these are all things that may be affected. Traditional watercolor and brush are fabulous and convenient, but sometimes you want something even more convenient. Leave it, let it live there on the page, and then, after it dries, see the results. This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated. It just enables you. You see it commonly used in watercolor for leaves and grasses, but it is capable of much more. 6-St. John Vianney 67, 11-Wall 49; 3-Manasquan 62, 14-Colts Neck 41; 10-Jackson Memorial 46, 7-Central Reg. The Black Velvets are a little softer. High five Princeton. As with squirrel you can drown the page in a wonderful blurry slop which can be so freeing and fun. I like the length of these handles better too. Im so happy I had the chance to review them! Sandra thats a very good study and even though I am a fan and a user of the Princeton Neptune brushes, I think I would like to try some of these aqua. 41; 2-Red Bank Catholic 86, 15-Toms River South 35 Can be used in watercolor, gouache, inks, and dyes. The Neptune and Velvetouch are the brushes that I use the most, so Im very happy to have these in-between brushes. Thanks so much for the review! A little below Kolinsky Sable are red and pure sable brushes. You prefer studios to plein air? Kolinsky Sable, the finest and durable ones, come from the Asian mink in Siberia, northern China and Korea. Pick the Silver Brush Basic Watercolor Set. Dieser Artikel wurde entwickelt, um den Bedrfnissen unserer Kunden entsprechend zu werden und bietet eine Vielzahl von neuen Funktionen. As for the squirrel replacement I believe Princeton has solved this puzzle as well! It felt too much like a pen and I found myself wanting to use it like one. The best synthetics and synthetic sable blends are indistinguishable in performance from many natural hair brushes.. Lots of leaves and birds too! In fact, in this photo, Im applying too much pressure throughout. I love the balance. The Mottler is there for size comparison. I love Daler-Rowney paints and my go-to watercolor brushes are Princeton Heritage brushes. Our brushes are divided up into different mediums, because each type of paint requires a different kind of brush. Nowadays, there are different categories of synthetic bristles. I prefer the black velvet. Im off to the art supply store today to see, feel, and now smell my way through the store. However, there are variations in the shape of the bristles, handles and ferrules (the metal part). This set is made from blended synthetic fibers of differing thicknesses. I mentioned above that the Oval Wash is a bit of a combination brush. I love to see, and support others opening up to, and embracing their creative process with any medium or creative expression. Im not a good enough painter to pay $126 for any brush- Ill go with this version. Yay! Princeton Neptune Travel Artist Brush Set, Series 4750 Synthetic Squirrel for Watercolor, Includes Four Round Brushes Sizes 4, 8, 6 and 10. 4.7 out of 5 stars . Perhaps you are thinking- if you had to pick one, which one would it be? Go This feature is currently in beta and will be continually developed. Princeton Neptune Series 4750 Synthetic Squirrel Brushes Dagger Size 1/2. The Versatil series is a synthetic brush developed as an alternative to the Kolinsky sable. Enter Naohide Takamoto, third-generation of Japans revered Takamoto brush-making family. Despite the larger size, the Princeton Elite Mottler is a very light brush, making it easy to hold the brush and move it over large areas. All brushes fall into two types of brush, flat and round. If your brush is thirsty just damp and you hold it to an area of wet paint, it pulls the water up into the bristles. Its a great site with high quality pics of all the varieties of brushes. Im a self-taught artist who dances about with all sorts of artistic mediums. However, the soft hairs help in lifting color, blending, softening edges and applying water. Its very pointy. The Oval Wash (aka the Cats Tongue) brush. I do also like the Neptune flats. Thank you, Lori! Since I like dry brushing, I also like using the side of the brush to sweep across an area, leaving a scumbled effect. This is optional I like having a flat 6 to paint washes and broader lines for architecture sketches. The brushes that came in the packaged sets didnt have any stickers and the stickers on the single brushes peel off clean. Let me know if you have any other suggestions. I struggled a bit to get used to it, but I love the effects I can get and out of all of the brushes, this is the one Ive been using the most. The wire wraps on the quill variety are very well done, no sharp wire ends sticking out to snag the brush wipe. Princeton Brush Company | Art Brush Makers - Princeton Brush Company Text with an image embedded Artist Brushes that Inspire In the hands of an artist, the brush becomes a tool to achieve their vision. Very nice review! The wood on the Black velvet is a more solid feel, still it is not the same good feel of the wood of the Arches which truly is magnificent.