Brush Pens Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Pens for Your Art

The world of brush pens is undeniably appealing: their infinite versatility attracts illustrators and calligraphers as well as crafting enthusiasts. But faced with a jungle of brands, ink types, and formats, it's hard to know where to start. How do you find the set that will truly bring your ideas to life, without falling for marketing ploys?

As experts on the Joybuy editorial team, our mission is to clear the path for you. This guide is designed to break down the criteria that really matter and present a selection of products that have caught our eye, helping you make an informed choice in 2026.

How to Choose Your Brush Pens

Before diving into our selection, let's review the key points to identify the set that will perfectly suit your projects.

1. Ink Type: Water-Based or Permanent?

The choice of ink is crucial: it determines the final look and the techniques you can use.

• Water-based ink: These watercolor pens are highly sought after for their blendability. Once the colour is on the paper, you just need to work it with a wet brush to create gradients and watercolour-like effects. Generally odourless, they are perfect for colouring, illustration, and bullet journaling.
• Pigment-based ink (like India ink): This ink becomes completely permanent once dry. It is water- and light-resistant, a major advantage for artists who wish to preserve or sell their work. It's the top choice for a professional marker set intended for illustration or technical drawing, which will later be coloured with other media.

2. Tip Versatility: Single or Dual?

The tip is the heart of the brush pen. Its flexibility allows you to vary the line thickness by adjusting the pressure, which is essential for calligraphy pens or creative lettering.

Some models go a step further by offering dual-tip markers:

• A flexible brush tip for colour fills, shading, and creating thick and thin strokes.
• A fine tip (or fineliner) at the other end for details, outlines, and precise writing.

Such a set offers incredible versatility and saves you from having to buy two different ranges of pens.

3. Set Size and Colour Range

For a beginner or for specific projects like urban sketching, a drawing pen set of 12 to 24 colours is often more than enough. It allows you to get familiar with the medium without a significant investment. For passionate illustrators or colourists, a larger set (48, 72, or even over 100 colours) expands the creative possibilities tenfold, especially for subtle gradients and complex palettes.

Top Brush Pen Recommendations

Here are a few products that stand out from the crowd and meet different needs.

SAKURA Koi 24-Piece Brush Pen Set

Key Feature This set from SAKURA is a benchmark for anyone looking to achieve a watercolour effect with the simplicity of a pen. The water-based ink is designed to be easily blended, either directly on the paper or with a wet brush, delivering soft and harmonious colour transitions.

Pros

• Flexible and durable brush tip, ideal for varying line thickness.
• Vibrant and blendable water-based ink for watercolour effects.
• Set of 24 colours providing a balanced palette for most projects.
• Acid-free and non-toxic ink.

Best for: Illustrators, colouring enthusiasts, and hand lettering fans who appreciate painterly effects and fluid gradients. It's an excellent entry point for getting started with watercolor pen techniques.

Ohuhu Maui 120-Piece Dual-Tip Marker Set

Key Feature This set is impressive for its sheer generosity: 120 colours and a dual-tip design. Each marker has a brush tip for colouring and a fine tip for details, making it an all-in-one tool for numerous applications. It all comes in a practical carrying case.

Pros

• Dual tip: a 1-6?mm brush tip and a 0.4?mm fine tip.
• Very wide range of 120 numbered colours with a blank colour swatch card.
• Replacement nibs included (5 brush tips, 3 fine tips).
• Water-based, acid-free, and odourless ink.

Best for: Art students, crafting enthusiasts, and illustrators looking for a very extensive colour range without breaking the bank. The dual tip makes it a particularly versatile choice for drawing, illustration, and detailed colouring.

Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Brush 12-Piece Set

Key Feature Faber-Castell's Pitt Artist range has established itself as a benchmark for professional quality. These pens use a pH-neutral pigmented India ink. Once dry, the ink is permanent, waterproof, and has excellent lightfastness, ensuring the longevity of the artwork.

Pros

• Archival quality pigmented India ink, water- and light-resistant.
• Flexible and sturdy brush tip that holds its shape.
• Intense, opaque colours.
• Ideal for mixed media (e.g., with watercolours or alcohol markers).

Best for: Professional artists, designers, and illustrators who demand archival quality for their creations. It's a top-tier choice for sketches, final drawings, and works intended for exhibition or sale.

Looking for More Hidden Gems?

Our selection is just a glimpse, and every artist has unique needs. To discover a wider range, with other formats or more specialised brands, feel free to explore our full catalogue.

Explore our complete collection of art pens for sketching

Frequently Asked Questions About Brush Pens

What is the difference between water-based and pigment-based pens?

Water-based (watercolor) pens allow you to create blending and gradient effects by reworking them with water before they dry. Pigmented ink, like India ink, becomes permanent and waterproof once dry, making it ideal for crisp outlines that won't smudge if you apply other wet media (watercolour, ink, etc.) on top.

How can I prevent the ink from bleeding through the paper?

The infamous bleeding (when ink soaks through the sheet) depends as much on the pen as on the paper. To minimise it, use paper that is sufficiently thick (at least 160?g/m?) and smooth, such as marker paper, mixed media paper, or Bristol board. Avoid applying multiple layers quickly in the same spot on thin paper.

Are brush pens suitable for calligraphy?

Yes, absolutely! The soft, flexible tip of brush pens is designed to mimic the behaviour of a real paintbrush, which is perfect for modern calligraphy and brush lettering. It allows you to easily create the thick downstrokes (by applying firm pressure) and thin upstrokes (by releasing the pressure), which is the core principle of this art form.