To put water in a watercolor brush, the method depends on the type of brush you're using. There are two main types of watercolor brushes: traditional brushes and water brushes. The filling process differs for each.
Traditional Watercolor Brushes
Traditional watercolor brushes don't have a built-in water reservoir. You'll need to use a separate container of water.
- Dip the brush: Simply dip the bristles into a container of clean water.
- Control the saturation: Remove excess water by gently wiping the brush on the side of the container or on a paper towel. The amount of water you leave in the brush will affect how your paint flows.
- Replenish as needed: Dip the brush again into the water as needed.
Water Brushes
Water brushes, as highlighted in the provided YouTube video, have a built-in reservoir that holds water. These are filled differently:
- Reservoir: They have a handle that acts as a water reservoir.
- Filling: You need to fill this reservoir with water before you can use it.
- Mechanism: According to the video, some rigid water brushes have buttons that you press to release water into the bristles.
- Control: The amount of water released is controlled either by the buttons or by gentle squeezing the brush handle.
How to Use Water Brushes (from provided reference)
- Fill the Reservoir: Open the water reservoir and fill it with clean water.
- Assemble: Securely close the reservoir to avoid any leaks.
- Activate: If your brush has buttons, press them gently to start the flow of water to the bristles. For squeezable brushes, gently squeeze the handle until you see water reaching the tip.
- Paint: Once the bristles are saturated, you can start painting.
- Control the flow: Adjust water flow by pressing buttons or gently squeezing, depending on the brush type.
| Brush Type | Water Source | Mechanism | Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional | External Container | Dipping into water | Wiping excess on container |
| Water Brush (rigid) | Internal Reservoir | Pressing buttons on handle | Pressing buttons |
| Water Brush (soft) | Internal Reservoir | Gentle squeezing of the brush handle | Gentle squeezing |
By understanding these simple steps for both brush types, you'll be able to effectively add water to your watercolor brushes and achieve the desired effects in your artwork.
