da Vinci COLINEO RED series 442 wash brush, synthetic, size 2

da Vinci COLINEO RED series 442 – wash brush for watercolour

The COLINEO RED wash brush, series 442 from da Vinci is a watercolour brush made of synthetic fibres. The fibres come in different lengths, some smooth and some wavy, hold plenty of water and paint and release them evenly. The COLINEO fibre is modelled on Kolinsky sable hair.

You can use the wash brush to lay in areas of colour, blend transitions and paint glazes. It is a round brush and, according to da Vinci, forms a precise point. After the large areas, you can therefore use the same brush for edges and smaller shapes. According to da Vinci, it is vegan.

Paints and surfaces

da Vinci recommends the brush for watercolour, gouache, ink and Indian ink as well as for fluid acrylic paints, on paper or canvas. The short handle suits working at a table, close to the sheet.

How to lay an even wash

Mix enough paint before you start – mixing more in the middle of an area easily leads to differences in colour. Tilt your sheet slightly, load the brush with plenty of paint and pull the first stroke from left to right. A small pool forms at the bottom edge; place the next stroke so that it picks up this pool. For a gradient, add a little more water with each stroke. A typical mistake is to paint into a half-dry area, which leaves water marks. It is better to let the area dry completely and then glaze a second layer over it.

Wash brush properties

• Manufacturer: da Vinci, series 442 COLINEO RED
• Shape: wash brush, round, traditionally bound
• Hair: synthetic fibre
• Handle: short, waterproof, hexagonal, made of layered multicoloured wood
• Size: 2 (series available in sizes 0, 2 and 4)