Artist Brushes &
Drawing Tools.
Professional watercolor brushes (or watercolour brushes if you're in the UK), squirrel-synthetic blends, kolinsky-class performance, acrylic paint brushes, and water-soluble pencils. Plus paint kits with brushes already in the box — round, flat, wash, and detail shapes covering every technique. Engineered for how each medium actually behaves.
Last updated: April 2026 · By Paul Rubens Art Supplies · Own manufacturing since 1998
Which Brush or Tool Set Is Right for You?
| Product | Hair Type | Pieces | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watercolor Brush Set Best for WC | Squirrel-Synthetic | 3 | Watercolor, Gouache, Ink | $23.99 |
| Acrylic Paint Brushes Set | Nylon Bristles | 5 | Acrylic, Oil, Gouache | $35.99 |
| Watercolor Pencils Set | Soft Wax Core | 36 | Drawing, Sketching | $39.99 |
Core Brushes & Drawing Tools
Standalone brush sets and drawing tools designed for specific mediums. Squirrel-synthetic for watercolor, nylon for acrylic and oil, water-soluble pencils for line work and coloring.
Watercolor Brush Set, 3Pcs, Squirrel-Synthetic Round
Three round brushes — sizes 2 (detail), 4 (general), 7 (wash). Squirrel-synthetic blend with kolinsky-class water holding. Short handles for fine control.
Acrylic Paint Brushes, 5Pcs — Wash, Flat, Round
Five long-handled brushes covering every acrylic technique — one wide wash brush, two flat brushes, two round brushes. Nylon bristles resist solvents and snap back through hundreds of sessions. Works for acrylic, oil, gouache, and watercolor.
Watercolor Pencils Set, 36 Colors, Metal Box
Soft-core water-soluble colored pencils. Draw dry, then activate with water for watercolor effects. Pro metal box.
Paint + Brush Kits — Everything in One Box
These pair Paul Rubens paints with brushes or drawing tools. Beginner-ready or perfect as gifts — no need to buy brushes separately.
52 Colors Travel Set + Pencil + Brush
52 solid watercolors + drawing pencil, brush, paper, sponge, pen. Blue travel case.
Artist Grade Paint Set + Size 6 Brush
Artist-grade pans with a pro size 6 brush. Beginners and students.
24 Vibrant Colors + Brushes, Portable Box
24 vibrant pans + squirrel-synthetic brushes in a portable box.
48 Colors Travel Set + Journal + Brush
48 solid watercolors + 50% cotton journal (20 sheets) + brush + green organizer.
Pair Your Brushes with the Right Paints — 2026 Lineup
Brushes perform best when matched with the right medium. Three collections pre-matched to the brush sets above.
Paints
Watercolor Collection
120+ colors in pans and tubes. Pure gum arabic binder, AP-certified non-toxic. Pair with the squirrel-synthetic set.
Shop Watercolors →Paints
Oil Paints Collection
Rich, buttery oil paints for canvas and board. Pair with the nylon bristle brushes for bold strokes.
Shop Oil Paints →Paints
Acrylic Collection
Pro-grade acrylics in tubes. Fast-drying, high pigment. Pair with the 5Pcs nylon brush set.
Shop Acrylics →Complete Brushes & Kits Comparison
| Product | Type | Pieces/Colors | Includes | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watercolor Brush Set Best WC | Brushes | 3 brushes | Sizes 2, 4, 6 | $23.99 | Watercolor, gouache, ink |
| 52 Colors Travel Set Best Value | Paint Kit | 52 colors | Pencil, brush, paper, sponge, pen | $30.00 | Travel & beginners |
| Acrylic Brushes Set | Brushes | 5 brushes | Wide flat, flat, round | $35.99 | Acrylic, oil, gouache |
| Watercolor Pencils | Pencils | 36 colors | Metal box | $39.99 | Drawing, sketching, coloring |
| Artist Grade + Brush | Paint Kit | Paint set | Size 6 watercolor brush | $53.00 | Students & beginners |
| 48 Colors Travel Set | Paint Kit | 48 colors | Brush, 20-sheet journal, palette | $59.99 | Travel & plein air |
| 24 Floral + 4 Brushes Best Seller | Paint Kit | 24 colors | 4 squirrel-synthetic brushes | $60.99 | Complete starter kit |
| 24 Vibrant + Brushes | Paint Kit | 24 colors | Squirrel-synthetic brushes, portable box | $66.99 | Artists & hobbyists |
Why Artists Choose Paul Rubens Brushes
In short: Medium-specific brushes engineered for how each paint type actually behaves. Squirrel-synthetic holds water like natural hair at a fraction of the cost. Nylon keeps its snap through heavy acrylic use.
- —Brushes shed bristles onto wet paintings, ruining washes
- —Stiff synthetics scratch delicate watercolor paper
- —Brushes lose their shape after a few sessions — no point or snap
- —Wrong stiffness for the medium — too soft for acrylic, too stiff for watercolor
- —Premium kolinsky sable brushes cost $40–$100 each
- —Squirrel-synthetic blend holds water like natural hair — no shedding
- —Nylon bristles keep their snap through hundreds of acrylic sessions
- —Watercolor pencils give line precision no brush can match
- —Each set matched to its medium — right stiffness, right absorbency
- —Pro-grade performance starting at $23.99 for a 3-brush set
Premium materials, medium-matched
Squirrel-synthetic for watercolor. Nylon for acrylic. Soft wax core for pencils. Each material chosen for the medium it serves.
Handles built for how you paint
Short handles for watercolor control, long handles for easel work. Balanced weight for hours of comfortable painting.
Not one-size-fits-all
Each brush set is engineered for how its target medium actually behaves on the surface. No compromise sets.
Notes From Our Studio Testing
Written by our studio team while testing each set. Notes on how Paul Rubens brushes and drawing tools behave in use.
"The squirrel-synthetic blend is a game changer. Holds water like a natural hair brush but at a fraction of the price. Perfect point, smooth release, no shedding. These replaced my $60 kolinsky sables."
"The watercolor pencils are incredibly smooth. I use them dry for sketching, then go over with a wet brush for watercolor effects. The metal box keeps them organized in my bag. Great color range."
"Bought the 24 Floral Colors kit as a gift for my wife. She was painting within 5 minutes of opening the box. The included brushes are genuinely good quality, not the throwaway kind you get with most kits."
Studio test notes from the Paul Rubens team. Shop now on paulrubensshop.com for free shipping + lower prices.
How to Choose the Right Brushes & Drawing Tools
Brush Types for Watercolor vs. Acrylic — Why It Matters
Watercolor and acrylic behave in completely different ways, and your brush needs to match. Watercolor relies on water flow — you need a brush that holds a large reservoir of water and releases it gradually in a smooth, controlled wash. That is why the squirrel-synthetic blend ($23.99) excels at watercolor: the fibers wick and hold water the way natural squirrel hair does, but with the durability and affordability of synthetic material.
Acrylic paint is thicker, heavier, and dries fast. You need a brush with backbone — firm enough to push thick paint around the canvas without splaying, and resilient enough to survive repeated cleaning. The nylon bristle set ($35.99) delivers that snap and spring. The long wooden handles are sized for easel work, giving you the arm extension needed for large-scale painting.
The key rule: Soft and absorbent for watercolor. Firm and springy for acrylic. Using the wrong brush for your medium is the single most common mistake beginners make.
Understanding Hair Types — Squirrel vs. Nylon vs. Synthetic Blends
Kolinsky sable brushes are the most prestigious watercolor brushes in the world. Made from the tail hair of the Siberian kolinsky weasel, they hold an enormous water reservoir, come to a needle-fine point, and snap back to shape after every stroke. The catch: a single Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable size 6 retails around $80–$120, and a full kolinsky sable brush set can easily exceed $300. They are also subject to import restrictions in many countries.
Natural squirrel hair is the second gold standard for watercolor. It holds an enormous amount of water relative to its size, comes to a fine point, and releases color in smooth, even washes. The downside is cost — pure squirrel hair brushes can run $40–$100 per brush.
Squirrel-synthetic blends solve this problem. By combining natural squirrel fibers with carefully selected synthetics, Paul Rubens achieves 90% of the water-holding capacity at a fraction of the price. Our 3Pcs set ($23.99) gives you three sizes for the cost of a single premium natural hair brush.
Nylon bristles are synthetic filaments that maintain their shape under pressure. They resist the chemical solvents used in acrylic and oil painting, clean easily, and keep their spring through hundreds of sessions. Our 5Pcs nylon set ($35.99) includes wide flat, flat, and round shapes — the three shapes that cover 95% of acrylic painting techniques.
Watercolor Pencils — A Complete Guide
Watercolor pencils are colored pencils with a water-soluble core. Draw as you normally would, then brush over with water to dissolve the pigment into smooth watercolor washes. This gives you the precision of drawing with the beauty of watercolor — something a brush alone cannot achieve.
The Paul Rubens 36-Color Set ($39.99) uses soft wax cores that dissolve cleanly without leaving waxy residue. The colors are highly pigmented — they look vibrant dry and stay vibrant when activated with water.
Three ways to use watercolor pencils:
- Dry application: Use like regular colored pencils for fine detail, hatching, and layering. The soft core blends easily.
- Wet-on-dry: Draw on dry paper, then brush over with a wet brush. The pigment dissolves into a watercolor wash while maintaining some line texture.
- Wet-on-wet: Wet the paper first, then draw directly onto the damp surface. Colors spread and blend immediately for soft, atmospheric effects.
Watercolor pencils are especially popular for travel sketching, botanical illustration, and adult coloring books. They combine the portability and control of pencils with the richness of paint.
How to Care for Your Brushes — Make Them Last Years
Good brushes are an investment. With proper care, a quality brush set can last years of regular use. Here is how to maintain each type:
Watercolor brushes (squirrel-synthetic): Rinse thoroughly in clean water after every painting session. Never leave brushes standing in water — this bends the fibers permanently. Gently reshape the tip with your fingers and lay the brush flat or hang it tip-down to dry. Never use soap on natural hair blends unless you are doing a deep clean.
Acrylic brushes (nylon): Clean immediately after use. Acrylic paint dries fast and becomes permanent once cured. Rinse under running water, working the bristles with your fingers to remove paint from the ferrule. For dried-on paint, soak in warm water with a drop of dish soap. Never use hot water — it damages nylon and loosens the ferrule glue.
Watercolor pencils: Keep tips sharp with a standard pencil sharpener. Store in their metal box to prevent breakage. Keep away from moisture when not in use — the water-soluble core can be activated by humidity.
Universal rules: Never use watercolor brushes for acrylic paint. Store brushes flat or tip-down, never tip-up in a cup. Replace brushes when they lose their point or spring — a splayed brush wastes paint and produces poor results.
Choosing the Right Kit — Brushes Only vs. Paint + Brush Bundles
If you already own paints, buy a standalone brush set. The 3Pcs Watercolor Set ($23.99) and 5Pcs Acrylic Set ($35.99) are all you need for their respective mediums.
If you are starting from scratch, a paint + brush kit saves money and eliminates guesswork. The 52 Colors Travel Set ($30) is the most affordable entry point. The 24 Floral Colors + 4 Brushes ($60.99) is our best seller because it includes high-quality squirrel-synthetic brushes instead of cheap throwaways.
Budget Guide — What to Buy at Every Price Point
Under $30: The 3Pcs Watercolor Brush Set ($23.99) or the 52 Colors Travel Set ($30). Both are excellent starting points.
$30–$50: The 5Pcs Acrylic Brush Set ($35.99) or the 36-Color Watercolor Pencils ($39.99). Upgrade territory for artists who know which medium they prefer.
$50–$70: The complete paint + brush kits. Get the Artist Grade Set + Brush ($53) for quality-first, or the 24 Floral + 4 Brushes ($60.99) for the widest brush selection in a bundle.
Best overall value: The 52 Colors Travel Set at $30 gives you paints, a brush, pencil, paper, sponge, and drawing pen in one box. Dollar for dollar, nothing else comes close.
Ready to upgrade your brushes? Pro-grade tools for every medium. Free US shipping $49+.
Shop All Brushes & Tools →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between squirrel-synthetic and pure synthetic brushes?[ + ]
Squirrel-synthetic blends combine natural squirrel hair fibers with synthetic filaments. The natural fibers provide exceptional water absorption and a fine point, while the synthetic fibers add durability and reduce cost. Pure synthetic brushes are firmer and springier — better for acrylic and oil but too stiff for delicate watercolor washes. Our 3Pcs Squirrel-Synthetic Set ($23.99) delivers natural-hair performance at synthetic prices.
Should I use watercolor pencils or watercolor paint?[ + ]
They serve different purposes. Watercolor pencils give you precise line control and are ideal for sketching, botanical illustration, and detail work. Watercolor paint in pans or tubes gives you broader washes, more pigment intensity, and the full range of wet-on-wet techniques. Many artists use both. Our 36-Color Pencil Set ($39.99) complements any watercolor paint set.
How do I care for squirrel-synthetic brushes?[ + ]
Rinse thoroughly in clean water after every session. Reshape the tip with your fingers and lay flat or hang tip-down to dry. Never leave brushes standing in water — it bends the fibers and loosens the ferrule glue. Avoid soap unless doing a deep clean. Never use these brushes for acrylic paint, as thick pigment can damage the soft fibers. With proper care, squirrel-synthetic brushes last 1–2 years of regular use.
How many brushes do I need to start watercolor painting?[ + ]
Three is enough. A small round (size 2) for detail, a medium round (size 4) for general work, and a large round (size 6) for washes. That is exactly what our 3Pcs Watercolor Brush Set ($23.99) provides. Three rounds cover 90% of watercolor techniques.
What are kolinsky sable brushes, and do you make them?[ + ]
Kolinsky sable brushes are made from the tail hair of the Siberian kolinsky weasel. They hold the most water of any natural fiber, snap to a needle-fine point, and recover their shape after every stroke — which is why pros pay $80–$120 for a single Series 7-class brush. Paul Rubens does not make pure kolinsky sable. Instead, our squirrel-synthetic blend reaches ~90% of kolinsky water-holding capacity at one-tenth the price, with no import restrictions and no animal-welfare concerns.
Which kit do you recommend for a complete beginner?[ + ]
The 24 Vivid Floral Colors + 4 Brushes Kit ($60.99) is our top recommendation. It includes 24 vibrant pans and four sizes of squirrel-synthetic brushes (0, 2, 4, 6). For a lower budget, the 52 Colors Travel Set ($30) includes everything including paper.
What do brush size numbers mean?[ + ]
Brush size numbers indicate the width of the brush head. Smaller numbers (0, 1, 2) are finer for detail work. Larger numbers (4, 6, 8) are broader for washes and filling areas. Within the Paul Rubens range, sizes 2–6 cover the full range from fine detail to broad washes. Size 4 is the most versatile single brush.
Can I use watercolor brushes for acrylic painting?[ + ]
Not recommended. Acrylic paint is thicker and dries permanently. It can damage the soft squirrel-synthetic fibers and ruin the brush's point. Use our 5Pcs Nylon Brush Set ($35.99) for acrylic — nylon resists chemicals and cleans easily.
What techniques can I do with watercolor pencils?[ + ]
Three main techniques: Dry layering like regular colored pencils. Wet-on-dry — draw on dry paper, then brush over with water. Wet-on-wet — wet the paper first, then draw directly for soft, blended effects. The 36-Color Set ($39.99) covers all techniques.
Do you offer free shipping & returns?[ + ]
Free shipping on all US orders over $49. Most US orders arrive in 3–7 business days, all with tracking. We offer a 30-day return policy on all products — damaged or defective brushes will be replaced or refunded; unused brushes in original packaging can be returned within 30 days. Email paulrubensshop@gmail.com.
Ready to Paint with the Right Brushes?
Squirrel-synthetic for watercolor. Nylon for acrylic. Pencils for precision.
Free shipping on $49+ · 30-day returns · Own manufacturing since 1998
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