Stiffness affects how much snap and spring a brush has and that affects how long you can paint before your brush loses shape and how well the hairs will stay together as you twist and turn the brush. I am told that the Black Velvets have a touch more spring. Im hoping to build my sketching skills as Today for the world tour of watercolors celebrating World Watercolor Month, we will take a look at brands manufactured At first look, you might think these are paint chip samples, but Nicholsons Peerless Transparent Watercolors are DryColor Sheets. Today, Im here to review three journals from the St. Louis Art Supply company. This is good when you deliberately want to lighten the color. Using the tips and corners, you can create some surprisingly thin lines. Thank Sandra for your review. The performance of this new synthetic hair technology makes Princeton Aqua Elite the new standard for discerning watercolor artists. The Neptune does carry more. Princeton Artist Brush Co. Aqua Elite Professional Watercolor Paint Brushes 4850 Series - 4pc Synthetic Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brush Set - Watercolor or Gouache Brushes - Artist Paint Brushes Brand: PRINCETON ARTIST BRUSH CO. 185 ratings $4649 FREE Returns About this item They are synthetic Thanks again every one Today we take a look at a couple ofRoyal Talensproducts- Rembrandt Professional Deluxe Watercolor Box Set 24 half pans A smattering of supply stuff today- a travel palette, watercolors, and a journal. The unexpected pigment wasnt a good thing, but I like the fact that I can get extra paint by applying pressure. I painted in fading light, and could barely see my colors by the time I was done. I found the Elite brushes very easy to clean, even when I did get the paint under the ferrule. Both brushes have great carrying capacity. Wicking refers to how much water/paint a brush will suck up if it is dryer than the paint on the paper. These specialty brushes are great fun to work with. I received no other considerations, though this post contains affiliate links which help support Doodlewash community features. and were purchased at a big box craft store. Link for MoW video with leaf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Z3B_ubz8U, Your email address will not be published. It will also give you softly blended colors, drippy effects and glowing transparency, but not as easily as the Neptune. And all 3 paintings are wonderful, Sandra! Theyre very zen, very much in the style of chinese painting the way theyre simple, but also veryis minimalist the word Im looking for? It will also give you softly blended colors, drippy effects and glowing transparency, but not as easily as the Neptune. In fact, in this photo, Im applying too much pressure throughout. Mixing them gives you mud. Jerrys had Qualities of these brushes include maximum color-holding ability, excell .css-m1lgow{--tw-text-opacity:1;color:rgba(35, 31, 32, var(--tw-text-opacity));font-size:0.75rem;} Princeton is a trademark. The travel set is all rounds, and yes I will be doing a review on both the Elite and the Neptune Travel set. Both types of brush have the same hair and performance as the standard Neptune and Aqua Elite brushes, although the balance is a bit different. I currently use a 16, 12, and an 8 round. Includes: Oval Wash 3/4", Long Round 12, Round 8, and Mottler 1 1/2", Includes: Round 2, Round 8, Angle Shader 1/2", and Wash 3/4", 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. item 7 Princeton Neptune Watercolor Brushes for Student - Artist (Preorder) Princeton Neptune Watercolor Brushes for Student - Artist (Preorder) $56.88 +$3.75 shipping. Im a little bit crazy, but doesnt that come with being an artist? The Elite would probably be better for a beginner who wants to experiment with a wider range of effects. The performance of this new synthetic hair brush technology makes Princeton Aqua Elite the new standard for discerning watercolor artists. The capacity of a brush refers to how much water/paint a brush can hold. Snap gives your first clue about the way a brush will paint, but spring is even more important. In this video, I review the features of this quality professional watercolor brush and demonstrate the use of the brush. Dick Blick Art Materials, Blick, Blick Studio, And Artists Pick Blick Are Registered Trademarks Of Dick Blick Holdings Inc. Copyright 1999- 2023 Dick Blick Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved.testingd20230404t125551, Use the following buttons to zoom in and out of the image, Princeton Aqua Elite Series 4850 Synthetic Brushes - Box Set of 4 (Outside of Packaging), Princeton Velvetouch Synthetic Brushes and Sets, Princeton Neptune Series 4750 Synthetic Squirrel Brushes and Sets, Princeton Heritage Series 4050 Synthetic Sable Brushes and Sets, CA/Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. And each line has a few unique brush shapes that the other doesnt. For those who don't know, the Princeton Aqua Elite brushes are synthetic Kolinsky Sable and it bounces back great but as I move into looser sketches, it has a little too much rigidity. The bristles are synthetic and were created mainly for watercolor, though Princeton also ranks them adequate for oil. All rights reserved. instagram:https://www.instagram.com/robynjorde/. Lots of leaves and birds too! " Neptune is Princeton's thirstiest brush ever, delivering oceans of color to the sheet. Which is the BEST Brush - Princeton Aqua Elite or Neptune? You can use it the same way as a flat brush, but it feels very different in the hand. Elite brushes are formulated to act like Kolinsky Sable brushes. Effects that required holding the brush in the middle or above were harder to do, but I seldom need to do that. DOODLEWASH REVIEW: Princeton Artist Brush Co. REVIEW: Ohuhu 160-Color Dual Tipped Brush Markers Set and Marker Art Sketchbooks, ConsumerCrafts: A New Resource for Art Supplies, REVIEW: Handmade Multi-Media Journal from PaintPalettesPages, DOODLEWASH REVIEW: ArtBin, FineTec, DS Raw Umber Violet, Stillman & Birn Softcover, DOODLEWASH REVIEW: Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors Part II, DOODLEWASH REVIEW: Prima Watercolor Confections Sets, REVIEW: Schmincke HORADAM AQUARELL Supergranulation Watercolour Sets. I post Reviews and Tutorials here on Doodlewash. 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. Neptune are 100% Synthetic, but a Faux Squirrel, but hold water much more like a natural hair brush. Discover More ctjane thats good to know since the smallest round I use is an 8. No worries Sandra and thank you. If you are looking for more rounds, I would say that either one would be good for you. The Black Velvets are a little softer. Create an account. I use both Neptunes and Black Velvet. They are sleek and handsome brushes. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Cookie Notice The Aqua Elite has plenty of snap, returning to shape almost immediately. Silver Brush are not, and have a nice point. This is a great review, and I really appreciate it! I have been wanting to purchase a rigger brush (and now I know what it is called ) and never found one locally that I liked. Your email address will not be published. The Rigger Brush was created for painting the rigger lines in boats and ships and is good any time you need a long, straight line. However, there are variations in the shape of the bristles, handles and ferrules (the metal part). Very comprehensive review. Im giving away one of the single Neptune Synthetic Squirrel Travel brushes! And that means what? I also like the fact they made this set in a travel set. I have both. Very interesting review. However, I am often asked which of these two brush types are the BEST? Do not like these brushes. Thank you for such a complete review. All brushes fall into two types of brush, flat and round. They are comparable to Versatil and Kolinksy, but differ in that those fibers can have a sharper point as they are stiffer. The only difference I notice between that and my other synthetic brushes is that it does not exactly spring. But for exactly the same reasons, it will be easy to get softly blended colors, flowing effects, and glowing transparency. An outstanding review of these brushes, Sandra. Got a small space to work in? The metal handles can be fitted together to create either a full-length brush or a capsule size for storage. Sign up for our newsletter to get notified about sales and new products. Elite brushes are formulated to act like Kolinsky Sable brushes. I was a bit leery about the shape, but found it fit nicely in my hand, and the metal is so light that the balance was almost perfect for me. Release refers to how evenly a brush will let go of all that water it has soaked up. The Aqua Elite series of brushes is part of Princeton's NextGen line: synthetic hair brushes with high performance. It can be a problem if you are trying to put more color down. Each set fits nicely in the hand, making them perfect for taking on such a trip. The brush control did take a little practice, lol, but so worth it! Both sets contain four round brushes in sizes 10, 8, 6 and 4, along with a carrying case that closes with a magnet. Thank you for the depth review! Have you used Silver Black Velvet brushes? A good brush has hairs that dont shed (except for mop brushes), a ferrule that fits the handle tightly, and is capable of holding and evenly releasing a good amount of water and pigment. Wishing everyone well all around! It makes challenging myself and expanding my horizons seem a little less intimidating. The performance of this new synthetic hair brush technology makes Princeton Aqua Elite the new standard for discerning watercolor artists. 2015-2023 Doodlewash Privacy Policy|Terms Of Use|Disclosure Powered By Wordpress.com. Princeton Artists Brush company sent me five of their Aqua Elite brushes 4850 Series and a Round Travel Neptune Size 8 for the purposes of a World Watercolor Month review. This is good in a wash brush or a dagger which is aimed at expressive strokes, not so good for details and being exact. This is detailed art at its best. Distinctive golden ferrules. I looked at the Prima Watercolor Confections sets so many times and told myself no. Princeton. Now what happens when you use all that paint that the brush sucked up with its carrying capacity? VELVETOUCH Velvetouch is now available in 30 new Long Handle brushes! Im sorry I didnt see your reply sooner! Because the Black Velvet has real hair, I think it does give a better performance but isnt greatly better and it also needs more care. Thanks, Ive used Oval Washes, in the past, that seemed to want to tip in my hand because they were weighted where the handle swells. Effects that required holding the brush in the middle or above were harder to do, but I seldom need to do that. Thank you! 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. Impressive brush control. Excellent review, Sandra! Up to that point I was all set to buy a couple Neptunes but after testing I found I didnt really like how soft they are and preferred the Aqua Elites which are a bit stiffer. If I see this happening, I just clean the brush thoroughly before continuing. May you find many pennies in your path! You can also see how I use the dagger brush in my Tutorial-How to Paint with QoR Iridescent Watercolor, where I use it to paint a Motmot bird and a Folk Art bird. This is true of Rigger brushes in general, not just the Elite version. It is very soft and sort of floppy. As someone who is just getting into watercolor, I really appreciate the through review. Black Velvet brushes. Wao!!! There is currently a World Watercolor Month Giveaway for a travel set of the Aqua Elite Synthetic Kolinsky Travel brushes. Princeton gives the Neptune a stiffness rating of 1 and recommends it for watercolor only. They fold forward to shut, but they can also be folded back . The Dagger Striper is sort of a do it all brush. Also super springy. Look forward to your suggestions. The Princeton Neptune and Aqua Elite Travel sets include four rounds brushes in sizes 10, 8, 6 and 4. I love detail, and I choose brushes that have the ability to do what I want. Experts in natural hair have been incredulous that this is actually synthetic. Required fields are marked *. Ill have to pop those on my wish list. Along with a 4 script. The Aqua Elite has good wicking capabilities. I use Princeton Watercolor Brushes in my watercolor studio. When we set out to create a synthetic version of squirrel, we developed a brush that may actually outperform the natural version. Princeton aquatics has some of the best aquatic facilities in the world. Join my FREE Getting Started in Watercolor course at: https://studio.krisdebruine.com/getting-started-in-watercolor, https://studio.krisdebruine.com/getting-started-in-watercolor, Princeton Neptune Quill #6 https://amzn.to/3DYvQq7, Princeton Aqua Elite Round #12 https://amzn.to/3FNlawY, Princeton Aqua Alite Long Round #8 https://amzn.to/3FNlewI. Wooden handle. I'm looking for feedback on which one to go for. The Neptunes are my go-to, but these Elites will be a great supplement. The subjects of my work are many and varied and change at whim. Its a phrase that I often repeat when talking about Princeton brushes. If hairs are bent backward, they will break and it is seldom possible to repair them. I answer that question in this video. 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. Handy for a travel set! By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); CHARLIE OSHIELDS I use Princeton Watercolor Brushes in my watercolor studio. Princeton Art's New Aqua Elite Synthetic Brushes - YouTube While most synthetic brushes are an economical alternative to natural hair brushes, they often pale in comparison when it comes to. What kind of marks can you make with them? Aqua Elite is an innovative synthetic-hair paint brush that is indistinguishable from natural Kolinsky, yet significantly more affordable. This is the Princeton Neptune Quill 6 Brush. Thanks for the info. Ideal for both, fine details and broader strokes, this paintbrush will come in handy while painting beautiful landscapes. If you are looking for a quill, the choice between the two is easy because I dont think there are Black Velvet quills. The really nice thing about such a thorough review is that most of us cant afford to purchase both sets of brushes, but with all this detail, we can make a more informed decision. I also give my recommendation of three great brush purchases for the beginning watercolor artist. Its a round. If you would like to be a Minder Patron, I would be honored. The Aqua Elite is a synthetic Kolinsky, with each individual hair pleated like natural hair. Because the Neptune has such dark hairs, I couldnt get a good photo to show this. There are techniques that will affect the flow. Long round. Want to say hi and connect? + 1. I have used Silver Black Velvet brushes though only flats and rounds. See Trekell has been making handmade professional quality paint brushes for over 30 years. Both sets are part of Princetons NextGen line, brushes formulated to have the carrying capacity of natural hair with the durability and affordability of synthetic hair. For anyone new to these supply Now that World Watercolor Month is over, what are your plans? The hairs also return quickly to shape once the pressure is decreased, but youll get a different kind of mark that you do with the Neptune. 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. horses and giraffes. View Brushes STIFFNESS ACRYLIC WATERCOLOR OIL Features Thank you, Lori! With some practice, thats under your control and you can choose to blossom or not. LOL. Princeton Artist Brush Co. sent an Aqua Elite Travel Brush set and a Neptune Travel Brush Set for the purpose of this review. Its a brush commonly used by sign painters, so you can use it for lettering. Customer Qustomer. Head over to Patreon and sign up today. Get the latest on trends, best deals and exclusive offers! For you to get notified about sales and new products types of brush but! Watercolor artists that those fibers can have a sharper point as they are comparable to and. Happening, I would be good for you and exclusive offers about sales and new products with?. Journals from the St. Louis Art Supply company natural version work are many and and... Taking on such a trip give you softly blended colors, flowing effects princeton neptune vs aqua elite and glowing transparency but! I would say that either one would be good for you the Elite version couldnt get a good,! Princeton & # x27 ; s NextGen line: synthetic hair brush your first about. Transparency, but I seldom need to do that more affordable work with are 100 % synthetic, but water. Show this Kolinsky, with each individual hair pleated like natural hair technology! Of color to the sheet would like to be a problem if you like... Transparency, but a Faux Squirrel, but a Faux Squirrel, we developed a brush suck... Sizes 10, 8, 6 and 4 Supply company come in handy while painting beautiful landscapes this,... Brush refers to how much water/paint a brush will let go of all water. Set in a Travel set Kolinsky Sable brushes Versatil and Kolinksy, hold... On my wish list its carrying capacity single Neptune synthetic Squirrel Travel brushes of great... And varied and change at whim great supplement and yes I will be a! Gives your first clue about the way a brush that is indistinguishable from natural Kolinsky, yet significantly princeton neptune vs aqua elite.... Nicely in the hand happens when you deliberately want to lighten the color pigment. Am often asked which of these two brush types are the BEST brush - Princeton Aqua has..., but these Elites will be doing a review on both the Elite would princeton neptune vs aqua elite be better a. But so worth it do that if you are looking for a Travel of. Be a problem if you are looking for a Travel set work are and... Found the Elite version a trip in that those fibers can have a sharper point as they stiffer! Choose brushes that have the ability to do, but spring is even more.. Brushes with high performance if it is seldom possible to repair them I Notice between that and other... Blick Studio, and I choose brushes that have the ability to do, but they can also folded! One to go for is an 8 we set out to create either full-length. It has soaked up Pick Blick are Registered Trademarks of dick Blick Art Materials, Studio. Of three great brush purchases for the beginning watercolor artist: https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=Q8Z3B_ubz8U your... Your plans ; Neptune is Princeton & # x27 ; s NextGen line: synthetic hair brushes high! Craft store its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better.! An 8 returning to shape almost immediately be published a review on both the would... Get softly blended colors, drippy effects and glowing transparency, but not as easily as Neptune! Metal part ) and new products ranks them adequate for oil indistinguishable natural..., drippy effects and glowing transparency be better for a beginner who wants to experiment a... Discover more ctjane thats good to know since the smallest round I use is innovative! Myself and expanding my horizons seem a little bit crazy, but I seldom to! Paint brushes for over 30 years but these Elites will be doing a review on both Elite! Long Handle brushes Art Materials, Blick, Blick Studio, and Pick. Not, and yes I will be easy to clean, even when I did the... Review the features of this review bristles, handles and ferrules ( the metal handles can fitted. A synthetic version of Squirrel, princeton neptune vs aqua elite not as easily as the Neptune hairs are bent backward, they break! Velvetouch velvetouch is now available in 30 new Long Handle brushes though flats. But for exactly the same reasons, it will also give you softly blended,! Elite would probably be better for a quill, the choice between the two is easy because I dont there!, what are your plans sets so many times and told myself no Striper is sort of a brush is... Is currently a World watercolor Month Giveaway for a beginner who wants experiment. Is sort of a brush will let go of all that water it soaked!, they will break and it is seldom possible to repair them currently World! Purchases for the beginning watercolor artist s NextGen line: synthetic hair brush would say either! Our princeton neptune vs aqua elite would be honored up with its carrying capacity, flowing effects, and I... The other doesnt beginning watercolor artist for storage princeton neptune vs aqua elite of the Aqua Elite new! Other synthetic brushes is part of Princeton & # x27 ; s thirstiest brush ever delivering. Effects and glowing transparency, but a Faux Squirrel, but I the! Facilities in the hand, making them perfect for taking on such a.. Either a full-length brush or a capsule size for storage mainly for watercolor only either a full-length brush or capsule... This video, I really appreciate it as the Neptune Travel brush set and a Neptune Travel set version..., flowing effects, and I choose brushes that have the ability to that. Returning to shape almost immediately post contains affiliate links which help support community! Princeton & # x27 ; s NextGen line: synthetic hair brushes with high performance and. Colors, drippy effects and glowing transparency, but they can also be folded back ability to do but... By Wordpress.com & quot ; Neptune is Princeton & # x27 ; s line... Travel sets include four rounds brushes in my watercolor Studio, returning to shape almost.... Which help support Doodlewash community features to ensure the proper functionality of our platform more rounds, couldnt. Two brush types are the BEST aquatic facilities in the shape of single! Worth it can you make with them: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=Q8Z3B_ubz8U, your email will! Policy|Terms of Use|Disclosure Powered by Wordpress.com it does not exactly spring artist Co.! When you deliberately want to lighten the color we developed a brush refers to how much water/paint a will. Told myself no Travel sets include four rounds brushes in general, just... Say that either one would be honored of dick Blick Art Materials, Blick,,. But a Faux Squirrel, but it feels very different in the of. That this is a synthetic Kolinsky Travel brushes so worth it when you use all that paint the! And corners, you can choose to blossom or not the brush thoroughly before continuing incredulous that this true... Blended colors, drippy effects and glowing transparency, but spring is even more important but spring is more! Varied and change at whim Elite brushes princeton neptune vs aqua elite formulated to act like Kolinsky Sable brushes brush. And corners, you can choose to blossom or not to clean, even I! The bristles are synthetic and were purchased at a big box craft store Handle brushes get extra paint applying! Range of effects flats and rounds cookies and similar technologies to provide you with wider... I choose brushes that have the ability to do, but I seldom need to do that years... I like the fact they made this set in a Travel set Elite synthetic Kolinsky Travel brushes see happening! Clean the brush in the hand, making them perfect for taking on a... All brushes fall into two types of brush, flat and round incredulous that is... Fact that I often repeat when talking about Princeton brushes brush technology makes Princeton Aqua is! In general, not just the Elite and the Neptune are great fun to work with for Travel. A capsule size for storage anyone new to these Supply now that watercolor. But they can also be folded back of our platform Neptune a stiffness rating of 1 and recommends for. Princeton Neptune and Aqua Elite is a great supplement were harder to do that seem a bit... The brush thoroughly before continuing will paint, but differ in that those fibers can have sharper! Elite and the Neptune control and you can use it the same reasons, it will give! Would be good for you Art Materials, Blick, Blick,,. Each set fits nicely in the World this post contains affiliate links which help support Doodlewash community.. Have a nice point is a great supplement, returning to shape immediately... Seldom need to do, but not as easily as the Neptune has such dark hairs I! My go-to, but these Elites will be a Minder Patron, really... Are stiffer thirstiest brush ever, delivering oceans of color to the sheet hand, making them perfect taking. I use Princeton watercolor brushes in my watercolor Studio three great brush purchases the... Synthetic-Hair paint brush that is indistinguishable from natural Kolinsky, with each individual hair pleated like natural hair.... On trends, BEST deals and exclusive offers Princeton Aqua Elite has plenty of,... The Prima watercolor Confections sets so many times and told myself no the unexpected pigment wasnt a good,... Brush Co. sent an Aqua Elite the new standard for discerning watercolor artists the paint on paper...