Well friends, I finally made the video. Brushes befuddle us more than we think and now we have the beginnings of knowledge to know why! Comments on this and let us know what brush is or has been causing you frustration....Everything we post here is destined to help a community member someday, somehow :)

Hello! I just ordered three sets of your brushes; two for myself and one set for my twelve year old neighbor/art student. We've been painting together for a couple of years and have watched several of your videos for inspiration and education. I love your explanation of these different brushes!! Even though I am the "teacher" I still have so much to learn. I am 71, and I just want to put in a plug for practicing. I have always been artistic, dabbling in various mediums through the years. But having a young person to work with has made me draw or paint EVERY day, and my skill level has jumped exponentially!!!! So, to anyone out there who needs to hear this, just do something every day - it makes a world of difference!!! PS - can't wait to try your brushes!! ❤

You  have just validated my collection of a LOT of brushes and defined qualities to look for in each brush that makes it similar, but different than other brushes. :) "The More You Get to Know Each Bush, the Better you'll Be Able To Anticipate the Best Times To Use Each Brush" is SO important! As my skills grow, so do the nuances of using each brush. Now, practice, practice, practice!!

SBV has a very nice point on their round brushes.

This video reminded me of when I was a beginner and I hated squirrel and sable with a passion because they’re were harder to control and take care of.  And now like a decade later I can’t get enough of them, and now I even have Chinese calligraphy brushes and big squirrel oval mops and cat’s tongue that I love to bits. Now I only reach for my snappy brushes when I need to paint something really detailed or small. But then even sometimes I reach for the softer ones because I can manage them now. The calligraphy ones are fantastic for detail too and carry lots of pigment and water, no need for tiny sizes.

I love a review. It helps me avoid hotels in very sketchy areas of a city or avoid food poisoning somewhere. But when it comes to Amazon art supply reviews, 😑they can not be trusted at a., especially when it comes to brushes. People just want cheap and they only give 5 stars to things that are. It is the worst place to actually get reviews from actual artists because there are a 1000 more people who will give it 5 stars based on the price and also their limited experience. The good brushes, will get voted down, because they are a little more exy.

I have been taught in other paint mediums and I always feel that there is never enough lessons on the actual brushes to use. So many videos will show people how to paint something beautiful, but they almost always fail to mention the brushes they are using and if they are hard or soft or something in between. A novice has no chance of replicating that beautiful painting, when they are trying to paint with oils and only have watercolor brushes for example. They will just get frustrated and give up, and its another person lost to the hobby.

My husband always makes fun when I come up with science observations and calls it "Wifey Science", which I think is on par with Kristy Science lol

Would you like to test FUUMUUI brushes?😊

Finally... thank for explaining why my brushes split hairs (so to speak) unless they're  loaded with water or color.  And it's not just my dagger. 😅
 Thank you!!

I use rosemary. I had to learn that there was nuance because not the shape shape exactly. But the shape was similar enough to give me the skill I needed. Rounds are not my friend. The dots are just so affordable. And my husband buys from them. Doesn’t mean I don’t have a “wish” list…. Wink wink… but saving on brushes and paper means I can save for lessons. Which is what I really need now.

This explains so much !😅 What a timely video. Thank you for helping me to not be so hard on myself and understanding what I am working with has an effect as well.💜💜

I believe with the Princeton Brushes it's a love hate thing. Some of the brushes get messed up in the factory. I had two of the Aqua Elite Travel Brushes that had issues. One the cap was loose, the other had dents. I also have the Snap Round 6 and I have no issues with it. Comes to a nice fine point and can do nice details. Yours might be one of those defects

When I first started painting in December, I spent a lot of money buying brushes because I didn't know what I didn't know. I tended to lean toward the Princeton Velvet Touch. Then I bought your brushes. I still use my Princeton brushes for some things because I am still learning about your brushes. Thank you for the tutorial. Things make a lot more sense now.

My father was a gifted, self-taught oil artist.  For as long as I can remember I've felt an urge to paint, but just a glance at one of his painting made a pit of fear in my stomach and I've never been able to put a brush to paper.  Then I stumbled across your beginner video series and I was ecstatic!!!  Your joy-filled approach to painting & teaching removed all traces of fear.  I'm starting from scratch and ordered your 'Fear has no place here' brushes, Academy paper, and one of the beginner paint sets you recommend.  Everything should be here by next weekend and I can't wait to give this a try!  

**One question...when will your Art for Joy's Sake brushes be available again?**  

After watching this video, I want to set myself up for success (by getting ALL your your brushes) and would prefer not spending money to experiment with other brands.

Thank you for explaining  why my brushes don't always do what I want them to do!

Beautiful! I forgot why I was here!

I watched you demonstrate how to use your dagger brush recently. I noticed the curve and that it was a little shorter than most, so I decided to buy your first travel kit, which includes two dagger brushes. WOW, it’s a game changer! I had so much fun following your video again, and then trying some flowers on my own. I have LOTS of brushes, and I also have that Silver Black dagger. It really is too soft, although I can do some very nice strokes with it. I have an entire set of Silver Black brushes, and they are not beginner friendly. They work great for some things, but they are definitely very soft.

Anyway, I’m so happy with the set I got, that I immediately went back and purchased the second set! Thank you, Kristy!!!

Totally agree about animal hybrids. I use other brands but find both your sets give easier control, especially for a beginner, intermediate artist,but still manage the perfection a professional seeks. I now use my other brushes for gouache and acrylic or watercolour inks to give mine a longer life.Also never lost a bristle on any of your sets and I have the whole collection!

just started my journey into watercolours yesterday and had purchased a beginner set of brushes. yes, it's true that the brushes make the entire experience. i used to be a makeup artist, and immediately knew what the problem was with the brushes i just randomly bought for watercolours after working witht them for an hour. it's great to see the different types of brushes and how they perform in real  time, your descriptions of each "feel" of the brush on paper is very helpful.

The second leaf sold me on Stellar.

Hi Kristie! I love your brushes. Thank you !!!