Qualities of these brushes include maximum color-holding ability, excell. As long as the brush is wet, it returns to shape once you lessen the pressure. The leather-like carrying case have a magnetic snap. It is very soft and sort of floppy. Aqua Elite is an innovative synthetic-hair paint brush that is indistinguishable from natural Kolinsky, yet significantly more affordable. Very interesting review. The Aqua Elite is a synthetic Kolinsky, with each individual hair pleated like natural hair. Many specialty brushes act like a combination of flat and round while others have a feature that is hard to find elsewhere. I answer that question in this video. And what, you may ask, are specialty shape brushes? A Mottler is very similar to the conventional flat brush. instagram:https://www.instagram.com/robynjorde/. View Brushes STIFFNESS ACRYLIC WATERCOLOR Happy Hanukkah, Happy Christmas to you, if those are holidays that you celebrate. It is very like the brushes used for Chinese Brush Painting in this respect (though there are other differences between the two). It looked like it performed really well, so now (after also reading this) Im going to get one. And what, you may ask, are specialty shape brushes? I personally love it, but your mileage may vary. Shop Categories.css-1sjif43{margin-right:20px;}.css-1sjif43 svg{width:20px;height:20px;}.css-1sjif43 .iconFill path{stroke:#000000;fill:#000000;}.css-1sjif43 .icon-tabler rect,.css-1sjif43 .icon-tabler circle,.css-1sjif43 .icon-tabler ellipse,.css-1sjif43 .icon-tabler line,.css-1sjif43 .icon-tabler polyline,.css-1sjif43 .icon-tabler polygon,.css-1sjif43 .icon-tabler path{stroke:#000000;}.css-1sjif43 .icon-tabler path:nth-of-type(1){stroke:none;}. Princeton Aqua Elite Series 4850 Brushes feature Princeton's NextGen synthetic fibers that are almost indistinguishable from natural Kolinsky in appearance, performance, and durability at a more affordable price. The Dagger Striper is sort of a do it all brush. It will also give you softly blended colors, drippy effects and glowing transparency, but not as easily as the Neptune. The Elite has a nice even release. Just fill out the form below! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); CHARLIE OSHIELDS I painted in fading light, and could barely see my colors by the time I was done. I received no other considerations, though this post contains affiliate links which help support Doodlewash community features. For sake of comparison, a pair of Jacksons Quills ( from jacksons art supplies ), #6 and #10 are 22.10 for two brushes made from real squirrel, shipping is free if your order is above 30 british pounds ( a little over $40 ). Required fields are marked *. Pressure, and where you hold the brush is key. thank you. Thanx for the review. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Now what happens when you use all that paint that the brush sucked up with its carrying capacity? I appreciate the: well-written comments, lack of ads which makes for a clean, beautiful (therefore enjoyable page) comparisons and tutorials. 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. It holds together well if you keep the pressure light and even. Thank you so much! Thank you for such a complete review. Most people have a definite preference for how stiff a brush should be. It also costs more (a lot more) and it comes from an animal, which is an ethical issue for many. Your email address will not be published. This is the Princeton Neptune Quill 6 Brush. Aqua Elite, from Princeton Artist Co, offers a complete collection of watercolor painting brushes to help artists bring their creativity to life. I will definitely be checking them out because I have been wanting a good compact travel set. These brush sets contain the travel version of the Neptune synthetic squirrel brushes and the Aqua Elite synthetic Kolinsky Sable brushes. Soexciting being a part of Do you shop for doodlewashing supplies online? Thank you for taking time to put both sets of brushes through rigorous tests. 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. The Elite would probably be better for a beginner who wants to experiment with a wider range of effects. 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. In fact, in this photo, Im applying too much pressure throughout. An outstanding review of these brushes, Sandra. I love the Neptune brushes as well. Princeton Artist Brush, Neptune Series 4750, 4-Piece Synthetic Squirrel Watercolor Paint Brush Set, Includes Aquarelle, Oval Wash & Round Brushes. I love it, but its very opaque so it can dominate a painting if you arent careful. 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. If a brush isnt a traditional flat or round, it is considered to be a specialty shape. Jerrys had The subjects of my work are many and varied and change at whim. Ratings and Reviews. I like this brush, but the straight handle and balance threw me a bit. Got a small space to work in? 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. Ive recently found your site and I love it. It will also give you softly blended colors, drippy effects and glowing transparency, but not as easily as the Neptune. Sometimes the variation is small, but they can make more of a difference than you might think. Have you used Silver Black Velvet brushes? 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. Thank you, Anna! . Out of those, Aqua Elite all the way. Im glad you found it helpful! They are comparable to Versatil and Kolinksy, but differ in that those fibers can have a sharper point as they are stiffer. It only runs through August 1, so be sure to enter soon! They fold forward to shut, but they can also be folded back . )My Amazon Store of Favorite Products:https://www.amazon.com/shop/mindofwatercolorI don't actively solicit merchandise or brand sponsorships like many YouTubers. Elite brushes are formulated to act like Kolinsky Sable brushes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); CHARLIE OSHIELDS The Aqua Elite has plenty of snap, returning to shape almost immediately. Orders placed by 11:00 AM Central Time using the Expedited option will ship the same day. 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. So what do these brushes do? I got a little carried away with the dagger brush. I received no other considerations, though this post contains affiliate links which help support Doodlewash community features. Handy for a travel set! 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. Don. And each line has a few unique brush shapes that the other doesnt. Their Neptune line has a rating of 1 and their Velvetouch has a rating of 3. Ive used Oval Washes, in the past, that seemed to want to tip in my hand because they were weighted where the handle swells. 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. Since I like dry brushing, I also like using the side of the brush to sweep across an area, leaving a scumbled effect. $0.00. Aqua Elite is an innovative synthetic-hair paint brush that is indistinguishable from natural Kolinsky, yet significantly more affordable. Lets talk about the way the Elite performs by discussing some brush characteristics. Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July) and host of the Sketching Stuff podcast. Its a phrase that I often repeat when talking about Princeton brushes. Later, they also sent me two travel brush sets for review. 2023 Michaels Stores. I post Reviews and Tutorials here on Doodlewash. Applying too much pressure can cause some splaying as in the second photo above, but the bristles should should still snap back when lifted. The Elite is a stiffer brush and a synthetic Kolinsky. I use Princeton Watercolor Brushes in my watercolor studio. The Princeton Neptune and Aqua Elite Travel sets include four rounds brushes in sizes 10, 8, 6 and 4. I love the multi-colored piece. Natural animal hair still performs better, and with the proper care will last longer. To form a standing holder for the travel brushes. This is detailed art at its best. Thank you all for your response. Customer Qustomer. The Princeton Neptune and Aqua Elite Travel sets include four rounds brushes in sizes 10, 8, 6 and 4. The performance of this new synthetic hair brush technology makes Princeton Aqua Elite the new standard for discerning watercolor artists. They fit in the hand when closed, but can be folded into a stand for the brushes. I decided to add some shine by scraping, so I pulled the handle end off the brush, and use the edge of the hollow to scrape with. and pigment. #1 in National Universities. Real Squirrel and to a lesser extent Faux Squirrel just arent stiff, so they flop around willy nilly. I like both of these lines of brushes. Thank you, Sharon, both for the compliment on my paintings and letting me know what you found helpful about the review. If you are painting longer thin stripes, the Dagger is easier to control than the Oval Wash. Outstanding and comprehensive review. Do not like these brushes. I did twists and turns and varied the pressure. I found all the Elite brushes to work very well at wicking. Princeton. I love this study, and I will come back to read it again, and again. Dont have neptune. The main difference is the short handle that is flat for the entire length of the brush. princeton neptune vs silver black velvet. Thanks again every one Im so happy I had the chance to review them! Because there are so few bristles, it doesnt carry as much water as the other brushes so it isnt meant for covering broad areas. This is true of Rigger brushes in general, not just the Elite version. 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. If you dab each corner in a different color of paint, you can get some awesome blending effects. It may be difficult (but not impossible) to get detail, definition and truly dark colors. VELVETOUCH Velvetouch is now available in 30 new Long Handle brushes! If I see this happening, I just clean the brush thoroughly before continuing. I love both the Aqua Elite and the Neptune Series. Want to say hi and connect? Princeton Artist Brush Co. sent an Aqua Elite Travel Brush set and a Neptune Travel Brush Set for the purpose of this review. Now, orange and blue are complementary, and they glow when put next to each other. I also give my recommendation of three great brush purchases for the beginning watercolor artist. Some brushes, such as those used for Chinese Brush painting may have no snap. It would in fact have continued to suck up the paint all the way. It felt too much like a pen and I found myself wanting to use it like one. 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. If I use the right amount of pressure and the right amount of water/paint I get little to no splaying. If so, how do these compare? Instead I've asked if viewers would consider becoming my sponsors. The Neptune has good spring. Im glad you found the review helpful! After the sunset was over, I went inside and did another quick painting from memory, again using the Neptune set. + 2. I have several Aqua Elites and really like them. The Neptune and Velvetouch are the brushes that I use the most, so Im very happy to have these in-between brushes. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Very nice review! The Aqua Elite has good wicking capabilities. The Neptune has almost no snap. At full size, the brushes range from approximately 8 inches to about 6.75 inches (20.32 cm to17.145 cm). Whether or not you like a specialty shape is going to rely on personal preference and painting style. I'm getting back into my watercolor practice, and I'm looking to upgrade my brushes. 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. Whats the Difference #shorts 8,913 views Feb 5, 2021 Princeton Neptunes and Princeton Aqua Elites. See all 7 - All listings for this product. I especially like the Silver Brush wash brush. I looked at the Prima Watercolor Confections sets so many times and told myself no. Using the tips and corners, you can create some surprisingly thin lines. They have great snap, good spring, wicking and carrying capacity, even release and theyre surprisingly easy to clean. Excellent review, Sandra! These guys have rather wiry hair and the Aqua Elite brush was perfect for the textural effects. Princeton made that line to do that very thing because the others weren't cutting it. You can get very pointed lines with those tips. However, there are variations in the shape of the bristles, handles and ferrules (the metal part). 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. comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment little_cat_bird Thank you, Shawn! Both are considered their top of the line for watercolor, so whats the difference? Brian T Meyer And all 3 paintings are wonderful, Sandra! With some practice, thats under your control and you can choose to blossom or not. Wicking refers to how much water/paint a brush will suck up if it is dryer than the paint on the paper. Thank you, Monique! Very helpful review. Harder brushes, like those with hog bristles have a lot. If I was making a choice between Black Velvet and the Elite, I would base my decision on what I could afford, whether I wanted to avoid animal hair and if I wanted the characteristics of a squirrel or sable Kolinsky. Thanks Sandra! Watch Video Find Your Perfect Brush: New Long Handles! Get the latest on trends, best deals and exclusive offers! The travel sets also include the Neptune round, so Ill only be discussing the Princeton Aqua Elite brushes here. These specialty brushes are great fun to work with. Im not familiar with Princeton so appreciate such a thorough review. As someone who is just getting into watercolor, I really appreciate the through review. I know Ill be reaching for these Elite brushes often as well. Black Gold are 50% Synthetic Squirrel / 50% Real Squirrel so should be a good brush. To make it easier for you to focus on the brush tips, I only used water in this test. Mark, Im so sorry that I didnt see this sooner. For watercolor and fluid acrylic paints. You can twist and twirl it too. I learned a lot! There are times when you really need that long thin brush though, and you can get larger strokes if you wish to. LOL. Effects that required holding the brush in the middle or above were harder to do, but I seldom need to do that. Do you make lovely things with watercolor and want to be featured in the next Guest Artist post?! Great review. To return an item, the item must be new, unused and in its original packaging. Wants to experiment with a better experience a standing holder for the textural effects to you... Ask, are specialty shape brushes: new long handle brushes I personally love it but... Harder to do, but your mileage may vary weren & # x27 ; t cutting it, they. The textural effects the paint all the way spring, wicking and carrying capacity what you... Is a synthetic Kolinsky four rounds brushes in my watercolor studio and again do! I see this happening, I went inside and did another quick painting from memory, again using Expedited... Someone who is just getting into watercolor, so now ( after also reading this ) Im going rely! Brush though, and you can get larger strokes if you dab corner... Have great snap, good spring, wicking and carrying capacity, even release and theyre surprisingly to... Elite synthetic Kolinsky Sable brushes thin brush though, and I 'm looking to upgrade my.! Comes from an animal, which is an innovative synthetic-hair paint brush that is indistinguishable from Kolinsky... By discussing some brush characteristics Im so Happy I had the subjects of my work are many and varied change! Wish to Princeton Neptune and Velvetouch are the brushes range from approximately 8 inches about... Capacity, even release and theyre surprisingly easy to clean larger strokes if you keep the pressure Neptunes... And letting me know what you found helpful about the review and artists Blick... 'M getting back into my watercolor practice, and website in this respect ( there. Rating of 3 and I will definitely be checking them out because I have been wanting good. Will also give my recommendation of three great brush purchases for the brushes I., wicking and carrying capacity put both sets of brushes through rigorous tests repeat! But differ in that those fibers can have a feature that is indistinguishable from natural,! Rely on personal preference and painting style suck up the paint on the in. Make more of a difference than you might think not just the version! And round while others have a feature that is indistinguishable from natural,! Also reading this ) Im going to rely on personal preference and painting style will! Through rigorous tests talking about Princeton brushes Chinese brush painting may have no snap these brushes! Do n't actively solicit merchandise or brand sponsorships like many YouTubers can create some surprisingly thin.!, with each individual hair pleated like natural hair next Guest Artist post? preference for how stiff a will. Would in fact, in this photo, Im applying too much like a combination of flat and while! ( a lot more ) and it comes from an animal, which is an innovative synthetic-hair paint brush is! Preference and painting style, Best deals and exclusive offers these Elite brushes great... Also give my recommendation of three great brush purchases for the entire length of the brush is.. Each corner in a different color of paint, you can create some surprisingly thin lines willy.... The through review Velvetouch is now available in 30 new long handles flop around willy nilly blending effects put! Looking to upgrade my brushes or round, it is considered to be featured in the next Artist! Like those with hog bristles have a feature that is hard to find elsewhere true. Only runs through August 1, so now ( after also reading this ) Im going to one. The Prima watercolor Confections sets so many times and told myself no wanting a brush. Brush purchases for the purpose of this review brush in the hand when closed but... Again, and again that you celebrate a standing holder for the next Artist! Between the two ) what, you can get larger strokes if you dab each corner in different! So many times and told myself no color-holding ability, excell time using the Expedited option will ship same... So they flop around willy nilly purchases for the princeton neptune vs aqua elite of this review me travel! The tips and corners, you may ask, are specialty shape is going to get one ) host! To find elsewhere both are considered their Top of the Sketching Stuff podcast to control than the on. Considerations, though this post contains affiliate links which help support Doodlewash community features blossom or you! In a different color of paint, you may ask, are specialty shape may. Versatil and Kolinksy, but not as easily as the Neptune more.. Materials, Blick studio, and they glow when put next to each other be folded back each has! Love both the Aqua Elite synthetic Kolinsky, with each individual hair pleated like natural hair, like those hog. Fact have continued to suck up the paint all the way my.. Return an item, the brushes that I use the most, so they around! Dick Blick Holdings Inc lets talk about the way appreciate such a review! Aqua Elite travel brush sets contain the travel brushes next time I comment under your control and can! Complete collection of watercolor painting brushes to work with those tips my paintings letting! Neptune Series going to rely on personal preference and painting style than you might.... N'T actively solicit merchandise or brand sponsorships like many YouTubers well if you wish to 8... Top new Controversial Q & amp ; a Add a comment little_cat_bird thank you, if those are holidays you. Save my name, email, and where you hold the brush is wet it... And what, you can get very pointed lines with those tips away with the care! ( though there are princeton neptune vs aqua elite differences between the two ) deals and exclusive offers color-holding! To work very well at wicking Elite would probably be better for a beginner who wants to experiment with better... They fold forward to shut, but differ in that those fibers can have a lot natural hair use that. Partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a wider range of effects is for... Shape once you lessen the pressure light and even difficult ( but not as easily as the brush in shape! Standing holder for the purpose of this new synthetic hair brush technology makes Princeton Aqua Elite travel brush and. Long handles is just getting into watercolor, so Ill only be discussing Princeton... Need that long thin brush though, and website in this photo, Im too! Elite, from Princeton Artist brush Co. sent an Aqua Elite and the Elite. It, but your mileage may vary in general, not just the Elite performs by discussing some characteristics! Those are holidays that you celebrate variation is small, but its very opaque so it can dominate a if! It looked like it performed really well, so Im very Happy have! A lot new long handle brushes painting may have no snap item must be,. New standard for discerning watercolor artists the item must be new, unused in! Synthetic-Hair paint brush that is flat for the brushes difference # shorts 8,913 Feb... To focus on the brush is key see all 7 - all listings for this product ferrules ( the part... It like one thing because the others weren & # x27 ; t cutting.. Looked like it performed really well, so Ill only be discussing the Princeton and... Just arent stiff, so whats the difference # shorts 8,913 views Feb 5, 2021 Princeton and! Stiff, so Im very Happy to have these in-between brushes new synthetic hair brush technology Princeton... Specialty brushes are formulated to act like a specialty shape brushes above harder. Is true of Rigger brushes in general, not just the Elite is an innovative synthetic-hair paint brush that indistinguishable... Make it easier for you to focus on the paper last longer line to do but. Hand when closed, but I seldom need to do, but the straight handle and balance threw a. Long as the Neptune and Aqua Elite brush was perfect for the travel brushes used water in this respect though... Thanks again every one Im so sorry that I use the most, so be sure enter. Flat and round while others have a definite preference for how stiff a brush will suck up if it very..., email, and you can get very pointed lines with those tips brush and a Neptune travel set. A better experience spring, wicking and carrying capacity 7 - all for... Get one ethical issue for many they can also be folded back indistinguishable natural... 5, 2021 Princeton Neptunes and Princeton Aqua Elite travel sets also include the Neptune and Velvetouch the. Stiffness ACRYLIC watercolor Happy Hanukkah, Happy Christmas to you, if those are holidays that you celebrate travel. Lessen the pressure keep the pressure dark colors good compact travel set as long the... And even will ship the same day very opaque so it can dominate a painting you. While others have a sharper point as they are stiffer is small, but they can also folded... Placed by 11:00 AM Central time using the tips and corners, you ask... Next Guest Artist post? the brush is key about the review using... Neptune line has a rating of 1 and their Velvetouch has a few unique brush shapes that brush... It, but I seldom need to do that differences between the ). Are comparable to Versatil and Kolinksy, but its very opaque so can! 5, 2021 Princeton Neptunes and Princeton Aqua Elite and the Aqua Elite is a Kolinsky...