Let’s Talk Brushes for Ink

So, I have posted previously about types of ink and options for paper. Here is another issue I ran into when I first started working with ink- What kind of brush should I use?

If you are doing traditional Sumi-e, your choice of brush is going to be obvious/ no brainer- the traditional Sumi-e bamboo or calligraphy brushes. According to the Yasutomo website, their popular calligraphy/ Sumi-e brushes are, …“made with a mix of natural or synthetic fibers.” It is unclear what exactly natural fibers the brush is made from (horse? goat? squirrel?) Some reviewers on the Yasutomo website opine that it’s goat but how can you really be sure? The other Sumi-e brush I have is made by Dick Blick. It is actually stamped “made in Japan” which somehow makes it feel more official. The specifications say it is made of goat hair. 

It looks like Winson & Newton also make a bamboo brush (Winsor & Newton’s Series 150 Bamboo Brush) but I have never used these before or have seen them in an art supply store. Their specifications recommend their use for Asian ink and watercolor paintings. 

To tell the truth, I don’t really use these brushes that much because I prefer to work with a smaller and finer brush. 

Since I was unsure what brushes to use for ink, I naturally gravitated toward brushes used for watercolor. 

I have used Royal & Langnickel’s Zen Series 73 brushes for five years now. These are nice synthetic brushes that can be used for watercolor, inks, and fluid acrylics. The quality isn’t too bad and they are still holding up after 5 years!

Earlier this year, I decided I wanted to upgrade my brush game so I bought about 5 Princeton Velvetouch brushes. These brushes are intended for watercolor, acrylic, and oil paints. (And, apparently, you can use these for ink too!) I have not been disappointed. According to the specifications, these brushes are a, “… blend of luxury synthetic filaments” with “…soft touch wood handles.”  I must say, all of this is true. They also come in a regular size and a mini size. I have the mini size brushes since they are convenient for travel and plein air but wouldn’t mind buying the regular size brushes. 

I think I’m going to stick with the Princeton Velvetouch brushes for now but I’m open to trying new watercolor brushes.