Escoda Reserva 1214 Series Artist Watercolor Short Handle Paint Brush, Size 2, Travel Round

This is one of three pocket brushes that I use for my watercolor travel kit (the others are an Escoda Perla round size 12, and a Rosemary & Co. R12 1/4″ sable/nylon blend dagger). This Reserva size 4 round is the one I use the most. It was also the first Escoda brush I purchased and in my inexperience with the brand, it was a little smaller than anticipated but I find that I still use it more over others when travelling as it suits my small books and style of painting. Escoda’s sizing convention runs a little smaller than other brands so be sure to check the measurements and don’t go just by the numerical size.Using this brush is such a treat. Besides looking like a piece of jewelry, it performs with precision and holds more paint than other brushes its size. It has plenty of spring and holds its point extremely well.The cap posts onto the end of the brush providing length and good balance. If you’re arting outdoors, after you’ve rinsed your brush and capped it, the hole at the top of the cap allows your wet brush to breathe until you can get home to wash and dry thoroughly uncapped.This Kolinsky-tajmyr sable is the finest watercolor brush I’ve used. It’s ability to hold paint is outstanding. It’s soft without being a wet noodle, very responsive with good control, and liberating the best characteristics of watercolor paint. As well as watercolor, I also use it for ink washing with pH balanced fountain pen inks. I can paint as loose or as tight as I want with this little round pointed brush. (Flower painting was done using a vintage nib for the drawing as well as the Reserva for ink washing)I’ve since added some full size Escoda brushes to my studio for oil painting too, and find that this company is one of the best in its consistently high quality and performance.