Make the Most of Your Aqua Brush!

Oh là là — the humble aqua brush (water-filled brush pen) is every modern watercolourist’s secret weapon. With a gentle squeeze you conjure an instant wash; with a light touch you glide pigment across paper like a Parisian skater on ice. Whether you’re unpacking your Et Voilà Dot Kit at the kitchen table, sketching en plein air with the Bon Voyage Kit, or joining one of our joyful workshops, mastering the aqua brush unlocks smoother blends, cleaner gradients, and pure mindful flow.

Ready to add a splash of je ne sais quoi to every stroke? Let’s dive in!

7 Tips to Elevate Your Aqua Brush Game

1. Fill the barrel with clean water

Clean water = clean colours. Start right by using filtered or fresh tap water — murky water will dull your colours before they even hit the page.

2. Squeeze the water when you are done

To clean your brush between colours, gently squeeze the barrel and let the fresh water flow through the bristles. Then dab it on a paper towel to see when it’s clean. Voilà — fresh start!

3. One drop at a time

To activate your pigment, add just one drop of water. No more, no less. A single gentle squeeze is all it takes. Let it sit for a few seconds so the colour awakens and becomes juicy. Over-squeezing leads to puddles, not petals.

4. Need extra water while painting?

Just squeeze softly. That’s the beauty of the aqua brush — no cup needed! Let a small amount of water flow to re-wet your paint or soften your blends.

Mindful Moment: Pause for one deep breath each time you squeeze the barrel. Feel the water travel down, watch pigment bloom, and let any stress float away like paint in water.

5. Clean on a scrap, not your jar

No need to swirl in a water jar (you’ll only need one nearby for refills!). Just swipe the bristles gently on scrap paper or a cloth between colours — it keeps your hues fresh, vibrant, and less muddy.

6. Try dry-on-dry, wet-on-wet, and everything in between

The aqua brush makes it easy to switch between techniques. Try painting on dry paper for crisp lines, or wet your page first for dreamy soft blends. Practice both to discover your favourite effects.

7. Store it tip-up when you're done

Once finished, pop the lid on and store your brush bristle-side up. This keeps extra water from leaking and helps your brush last longer — ready for your next creative escape.

Ready to practise?

• Grab an Et Voilà Dot Kit for studio-fresh pigments in a pocket-sized palette.
• Jet off creatively with the Bon Voyage Kit — aqua brush included.
• Or join our next Et Voilà Watercolour Workshop for hands-on guidance (and plenty of oh là là moments).

Life is couleur — squeeze, paint, repeat!
Pascale
@etvoilastudios