Escoda Versatil Round Pointed Brush

I really love these brushes... they are superior to the synthetics I've used up till now and I'm very pleased with them (the paintings are much easier to do when the brushes actually deliver as intended) ... having said that... I don't think I'll be going back to the other synthetics I've bought in the past, simply because of how this range have spoiled me with their pleasing performance. I suppose, I'm totally not switching back now. :-)

A mailing mishap: My brushes came in a little more than dented box, but a little loving swishing in cold water to remove the sizing, the bend on the biggest brush slowly reverted back to it's form, and after doing several watercolours the bend in the hairs are gone, so no harm done. I was surprised by its hardiness. the other two brushes weren't damaged, thank goodness.

They've become personal favourites and I look forward to more from this range of brushes by Escoda. I value the quality and ease it gives me when I paint. I've been telling my friends about it, they probably think I became a brush snob by now. I actually want to get a few more to start a proper collection of these beautiful wonderful brushes.

I don't find that these brushes can substitute real Kolinsky sable at all. However, for a synthetic brush, they do perform better than all the other synthetics out there. The craftsmanship of the brush is beautiful as are all Escoda brushes and the value is outstanding.

Both the flat and the round Escoda Versatil brushes I find to be fantastic brushes. Top quality. Sits nicely in the hand. Top control over the release of the paint. Takes a little bit of practice to find the bristles optimum if your a pure sable user. But then you get rewarded with the very best of control. The flat brush have a big belly and sharp edge. The round brushes have a superb fine point, tip. The flat 0.75 and 1 inch holds a heavy paint load and releases it very evenly. The round #10 and #12 holds a superb fine point. I can use the round size 10 or 12 for the smallest details and they hold a haevy load of paint released nicely even. I find the round brush is by fare the best alternative to the real sable brush and even better the some brands of true sable I have tried.
Some may find the brush a little too springy (hard, resistance?) compared to sables but you could argue that that makes the brush very useable for both Gouahe and a lot of Acryl work. Versatil will be my primary brush for especially Watercolor and Gouache and for most Acryl. I have not tried the brush with oil paint.