Sterling Edwards Talks about his Brushes

“Having been a watercolor workshop instructor for many years I have been asked numerous times what brushes do I use? That question is usually followed by what brushes do I recommend that are good for both beginner and professional watercolor artists?

Canadian House by Sterling Edwards

 This prompted me to seriously consider the qualities that I look for in a good watercolor brush. The main qualities that I expect from a good brush are; quality manufacturing, capable of holding a large amount of paint, easy to handle, a brush that maintains it’s shape, and priced reasonably. I have tried many different manufactures and brushes in an effort to assemble a set of brushes that I consider very good quality at a price that most artists can afford.

Poppies... and more Poppies by Sterling Edwards

While in New Mexico by Sterling Edwards

My choice is Golden Natural™ brushes by Silver Brush Limited. The quality in the manufacturing of these brushes is excellent and the blending of natural and synthetic hair makes working with these brushes a pleasure. I was first impressed with the amount of paint that these brushes would hold and the ease in which I could apply the paint. Since I am known for using large brushes, I have also included the 2” Edgewater Wash brush in my set. This brush holds a large amount of paint and keeps a sharp edge which is important for establishing shapes in the early stages of a painting. All of the brushes in this set spring back to their natural shape when you are no longer applying pressure. This is something that I demand in a good watercolor brush. Combine all of these features with a reasonable price and you have an excellent set of brushes that will give you many years of performance regardless of your skill level”.   

Sterling Edwards

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Sterling Edwards, his painting workshops, classes and art.