Silver Brush Limited3000S-8 Black Velvet Round Paintbrush for Watercolor, Gouache, Inks, & Dyes, Size 8, Short Handle

Where do I even start?I own about a million watercolor brushes, ranging from your cheapo ones that come in a cellophane-wrapped multiset, to several hundred dollar Kaminsky sable brushes, and everything in between. My main brush lines I use regularly are the Da Vinci Casaneos, Escoda Reservas, Isabey Petit Gris Pur, and Isabey Martre Kolinsky Pure. Add in there some Royal & Langnickel Zens for scrubbing/shading, some Matthew Palmers for lifting, and you've got a pretty good idea.This one little brush...my god, what a workhorse!!Never have I been so impressed with one brush.I'm almost embarrassed I've spent so much on other brushes, because if I were stuck on a lonely desert island (arguably with other watercolor supplies and non-dire time to paint) and could have only ONE brush, THIS my friend would be it! The Silver Black Velvet #8 Round.This little ol' modest Silver brush has truly "wowed" me.Why, you might ask, does this little brush seize me so?!Its ability to hold its tip. Here you have a size 8 brush, yet it ends in a legendary point so fine, it could rival size ZERO brushes in other lines (!!!!). Never have I encountered a brush that maintains its point so well. And I've searched. I have many different brands of quill brushes of the whole spectrum of price ranges that were bought with this search in mind, and this one makes them all PALE in comparison.I held out for a ridiculously long time on buying this brush. Everyone was saying "Silver Black Velvet," "Silver Black Velvet" for like 3 years and I couldn't believe it could possibly beat my much more expensive brushes, but I'm here to tell you: JUST DO IT. You won't be sorry!When I bought this one, I also got the 3 pack of small rounds size 0, 2, 4. TBH I haven't even tried them, because this brush (#8) like I said, paints so delicately I have no need for another brush. I'm threatening to go back for a size 12 just to hold more paint and see how that tip compares.This is not a con or a negative, simply a statement for expectation management. This size 8 brush is smaller than I think of when I think of a size 8 round. Compared to the size 8 round of the Da Vinci Casaneo, it is significantly smaller to the tune of it's more of a match to their size 6 round.Again, not negative mark against it by any means, but this is why I recommend also picking up a larger size if you want something bigger.I honestly don't think you will want anything smaller. I know those are crazy things to say, but...I said what I said.Just go and buy your new favorite brush already!

These brushes are excellent. I follow and am a fan of Penny Black. She almost always uses these brushes for watercolor and created the interest in me.

I read quite a few of the reviews & the ratings were so encouraging I ordered a #8 round for watercolor. It seems sizing is relative to each brand. I had expected it to be a little bigger than it was & was initially disappointed UNTIL I began using it. Just as advertised, it holds a lot of water & paint, is soft & holds together so the paint &/or water is easily controlled. The greatest joy is how well it holds its shape & POINT. I can get into the smallest areas without having to change to a smaller brush. It’s excellent for some of the minute detail I use in painting leaves & wildflowers & yet is smooth & flows for larger areas, such as skies, mountains & water (rivers & lakes). I have been recommending this brush to other artists. One reviewer stated this brush was better than their Winsor Newton #7 kolinsky. I discounted that review initially but after painting an average of several hours a day for over a week, I am changing my mind. I’m keeping my eye on the prices with intention to buy more when they are on sale. This brush is so responsive that I’m getting some results I’ve previously struggled with. If you want to get by with a minimum of brushes this is definitely a keeper!

Wow. I'm blown away by this brush! Wish I'd known about it years ago. It's true that if you don't use quality supplies when beginning watercolor art, you will become discouraged. I've played around with watercolors for years because I love the flow of them, but never really got the hang of it. This beautiful brush is a game-changer. I was immediately struck by the look and feel of the quality. The bristles are soft, smooth, and hold a good amount of water. The tip is incredible to work with! It keeps a very sharp point that works as well as a fine tipped pen. So I can paint in tiny places with no paint blobs coming off the end. The body stays tightly in place while needed, taking curves very well, but also spreads out softly with little pressure to paint the wider areas. No splaying out of stray hairs, no forcing the bristles to move a certain way, and always the proper amount of water flow coming out, which I thought was amazing. (Seems like I never have too much or too little.) Very easily responsive to your moves. I bought a size 8 first of all. If you are a beginner and don't want to make a large initial investment, this is the FIRST brush you need. It will give you such an enjoyable painting experience that you will be coming back for the other sizes, using this initial purchase as your guide. I wish my first instructor had told me about this brush. It's a great investment. Thank you, Silver, for putting out fine quality products for people like me who find emotional satisfaction in their art experience. I'm also an art-supply hoarder, so I can't wait to try out the other sizes. Happy painting and never give up.

Does ever thing a watercolor brush should do. I know they say beginners don’t need to spend money on a good brush. I totally disagree. When I started watercolor painting I would get frustrated. But the correct brush, and paint makes a world of difference. Will be buying more of these brushes for sure. I have seen other reviews saying the brush is fanning out and the paint is peeling off the handle. I have had this brush for 10 months. Those of you that are new to watercolor this is what I do to preserve my brush. Rinse your brushes right away and place it down on a dish towel. Never leave it in the water even if you are not done using it. But when you are done using it clean it with warm soapy water. Rinse well and lay flat. Do not keep your brush vertically.