The Urban Sketcher’s Best Friend?
If you’re into urban sketching, you know how important it is to have tools that are portable, reliable, and easy to use on the go. The Pentel Aquash Water Brush Set (Set of 3) seems to tick all those boxes — but how does it really hold up in practice?
I’ve been using this set, which I ordered from Amazon.ie, for a few weeks now on sketch walks around town. Here's a full breakdown of the experience, from brush quality to portability, with an eye on what matters most to an urban sketcher.
🖌️ Brush Quality: Nylon Bristles that Punch Above Their Weight
The set includes three sizes: fine, medium, and broad. All three brushes use nylon bristles, which I was skeptical about at first — but they’ve proven impressively resilient.
What I liked:
Shape retention: Even after a few rough field sessions and lots of pigment, the tips bounce back to a nice point (especially the fine and medium). No fraying so far.
Smooth pigment flow: With just a gentle squeeze of the barrel, water comes through evenly. This makes blending washes in quick sketches a breeze.
Versatility: The medium size is great for most line-and-wash sketches. The fine tip is solid for detail work (e.g. roof tiles, windows), and the broad is surprisingly effective for loose skies or tree canopies.
Minor cons:
If you over-squeeze the barrel, you can flood the paper — there's a bit of a learning curve.
Not quite as responsive as high-end natural-hair brushes, but then again, they’re not meant to be.
Overall, these brushes feel better than you'd expect for a synthetic travel brush.
🧳 Portability: Built for Sketching on the Move
This is where the Pentel Aquash really shines.
Key portability perks:
No need for water containers: Just fill the brush with tap water and you're good to go. I can sketch in a park, on a bench, or even leaning against a wall — no spills, no mess.
Lightweight: All three brushes fit easily in my small sketch kit. They weigh next to nothing and don’t leak when capped properly.
Quick cleanup: A tissue or cloth is all you need to wipe between colors, and they rinse clean with a squeeze of water.
I’ve even used these on a tram ride — that’s how fuss-free they are.
🏙️ Ideal for Urban Sketching?
Absolutely — especially if you like line-and-wash techniques or minimal gear.
In the field:
I pair them with a small watercolor palette and a waterproof fineliner. That’s my whole kit.
The medium brush is the MVP — it works for 90% of what I sketch.
They’re also discreet. You won’t attract attention the way you might with open jars of water or a full studio setup.
Bonus: Creative flexibility
Want soft gradients on a building façade? Squeeze gently and go.
Need dry-brush textures for bricks or trees? Just don’t squeeze — the nylon bristles let you control the flow easily.
Final Thoughts
The Pentel Aquash Set of 3 has become a permanent part of my urban sketching setup. While it won't replace traditional brushes for studio work, it’s perfect for quick, expressive sketches on the go.
Pros:
✔️ Solid bristle quality and tip shape
✔️ Excellent water flow control
✔️ Ultra-portable and leak-proof
✔️ Affordable and durable
✔️ Perfect for minimal sketch kits.
Cons:
Slight learning curve with squeeze pressure
Can over-flood if you're not careful.
Verdict:
If you’re looking for a lightweight, practical brush solution for urban sketching, the Pentel Aquash set is a fantastic investment. Reliable, travel-friendly, and surprisingly precise, these brushes have earned a permanent spot in my bag.
Have you used these brushes? Share your experience or sketches — I’d love to see how others make them work in the field!
Would you like me to turn this into a formatted blog post with images or links? I can also write a short Instagram caption or reel script if you're planning to share your urban sketch kit.
You can watch the full video review and painting demo on my youtube channel at the link below!
