If you're tired of carrying around cups of water while sketching, a pincel com reservatorio is going to be your new best friend. I remember the first time I saw one; I thought it looked a bit like a strange hybrid between a fountain pen and a makeup brush. But once you actually start painting with it, you realize how much it simplifies the whole process of using watercolors or water-soluble markers. You don't need a full studio setup to get some color down on paper, which is a massive plus for anyone who likes to draw outside or at a local coffee shop.
What makes this brush so different?
The big selling point is right there in the name. Instead of a solid wooden or plastic handle, the pincel com reservatorio has a hollow barrel that you fill with water. It works through a pretty simple pressure system. As you paint, the water slowly seeps down into the bristles, keeping them consistently damp. If you need more water to create a wash or to clean the brush, you just give the barrel a gentle squeeze.
It's one of those tools that feels a bit weird for the first five minutes, but then it just clicks. You stop reaching for a water jar that isn't there and start focusing more on the actual pigment. For people who do urban sketching or keep a travel journal, it's honestly a life-saver. No more worrying about knocking over a cup of dirty water onto your expensive rug or your lap.
Filling it up without the mess
You'd think filling a pincel com reservatorio would be straightforward, but there's a tiny bit of a trick to it. Most of them unscrew in the middle. You just take the top off, hold the barrel under a tap or dip it into a bottle of water, and squeeze it to suck the water in.
One thing I've learned the hard way: don't fill it all the way to the absolute brim. If you leave a tiny bit of air in there, it's actually easier to control the pressure. Also, make sure you screw the top back on tightly. There's nothing worse than a slow leak in your pencil case. Some people even put a bit of liquid ink or a very diluted watercolor mix directly into the reservoir, which essentially turns it into a self-loading colored brush. It's a cool hack, but just be careful because it can be a pain to clean out later if the pigment is particularly staining.
Getting the hang of water control
This is usually where beginners struggle. Since the water is always flowing, the brush stays wet. This is great for "wet on wet" techniques, but if you're trying to do fine, dry detail, you have to be a bit mindful.
I usually keep a paper towel or a scrap of cloth in my left hand while I'm using my pincel com reservatorio. If the brush feels too soaked, I just touch the tip to the towel to soak up the excess. If I want to switch colors, I don't need a rinse bucket. I just squeeze a bit of water through the bristles and wipe them on the towel until they run clear. It takes about five seconds, and you're ready for the next color. It's incredibly efficient once you get the rhythm down.
Why portability is the biggest win
If you've ever tried to set up a watercolor kit on a tiny airplane tray or a park bench, you know the struggle. Managing a palette, a sketchbook, and a water container is like a bad juggling act. With a pincel com reservatorio, you eliminate one of the bulkiest parts of the kit.
I've taken mine on long hikes and used it to capture the colors of the sunset without needing anything more than a small pocket palette. Because the brush has its own lid, you can just pop it in your bag when you're done. You don't have to wait for it to dry completely like you would with a traditional sable brush, though it's still a good idea to give it a proper airing when you get home.
Choosing the right tip size
Just like regular brushes, these come in various shapes and sizes. You'll usually find them in small, medium, and large rounds, and sometimes you can find flat versions too.
- Small tips are great for those tiny details or if you're working in a small A6 sketchbook.
- Medium tips are the "all-rounders." If you're only going to buy one pincel com reservatorio, make it a medium. It's versatile enough for both details and small washes.
- Large or Flat tips are perfect if you like working on a bigger scale or if you want to fill in skies and backgrounds quickly.
Most of these brushes use synthetic nylon bristles. They're snappy and hold their shape well, which is exactly what you want when you're squeezing the barrel and moving pigment around.
Using it with other mediums
While we mostly talk about watercolors, a pincel com reservatorio is actually a "secret weapon" for other art supplies too. If you like using watercolor pencils, you can draw your outlines and shading first, then go over them with the water brush to turn the pencil marks into paint. It's much more controlled than using a standard brush.
I've also seen calligraphers use them with water-based inks for some really beautiful brush lettering. Because you can control the flow, you can get some great gradients and "juicy" strokes that are hard to replicate with a standard dip pen.
Keeping your brush in good shape
Even though they're relatively cheap, you still want your pincel com reservatorio to last. The main thing is to avoid letting paint dry inside the bristles right up near the plastic housing. If that happens, it can block the water flow or stain the brush permanently.
Every now and then, it's a good idea to give it a deep clean. Unscrew everything and run warm water through the nib from the back to the front. Don't use harsh soaps—just a little bit of mild dish soap or a dedicated brush cleaner is plenty. And honestly, try to avoid using it with waterproof inks (like India ink) unless you're prepared for it to be a "single-use" tool, because that stuff will clog the feed system faster than you can say "ruined."
Is it better than a traditional brush?
"Better" is a strong word. It's different. A high-quality Kolinsky sable brush is always going to hold more paint and have a more delicate "feel" than a synthetic pincel com reservatorio. If I'm sitting at my desk at home with plenty of space, I'll probably reach for my traditional brushes because I enjoy the ritual of it.
But for convenience, speed, and sketching on the go? The water brush wins every single time. It lowers the barrier to entry for painting. You don't have to "prepare" to paint; you just open your book, grab your brush, and go. That spontaneity is worth its weight in gold for any artist trying to build a daily habit.
Wrapping it up
At the end of the day, a pincel com reservatorio is just a tool, but it's one that really changes the way you interact with your art. It takes away the mess and the fuss, leaving you with just the fun parts of playing with color. Whether you're a professional illustrator or someone who just likes to doodle in a journal on the weekends, it's definitely worth having a couple of these in your kit. They're affordable, durable, and they might just be the reason you start painting more often. Give one a try, play around with the squeeze pressure, and see how it fits into your style. You might find you don't miss that old water jar at all.