Economical Watercolor Brushes?

[BeaSue]

I am going to have to purchase brushes for about 10 people for the class I'll be teaching in the spring. I'm thinking 2-3 brushes per person. Can you recommend a brand that is economical, yet still good enough to yield decent results?

Thanks!

[MaryAnne Long]

Susan,

Wow, tough question.  There are so many brands - good and bad.  When I started, an artist told me to go to ROSS-Shop for Less and buy their package of maroon color brushes (10 to a pack for $5.99 - synthetic, soft hair).  The only wording on the brushes is CHINA and the size.  I never kept the packaging so have no idea what brand they were.  I still have them.  I bought 4 sets - one to use for each medium.  I still use them for practice work and for my senior citizen classes. 

For my serious watercolor work, I use Escoda PRADO series 8, 10, 12.  Since I do small work, I use the #8 almost exclusively.  My son gave them to me for Christmas about 3 years ago (at my specific request).

I did buy some Color Bliss brushes (filberts) on Amazon a while back.  Good price and good quality, but I am not sure they have them anymore.

Hope that helps somewhat.  Good luck.

Aloha

mea

[BeaSue]

Thanks, Mea.

[Val]

The larger retailers, Dick Blick, Jerry's Artarama, Cheap Joe's have class packs you can buy quite reasonably. Might be worth a looksee if you haven't purchased any as yet.