<p>It depends on the synthetic brush that is available. Generally speaking, pony hair brushes are often used in schools since they are inexpensive, yet strong and soft. However, they do not retain the shape of the brush well when wet. Synthetic brushes on the other hand can be both well suited and terrible for painting with watercolors depending on the quality (which has improved largely).</p>
<p>I would suggest you try both and then decide. Take the brush that can hold its shape best when wet while still being able to hold a good amount of liquid.</p>
<p>By the way, the best brushes for water color are usually made from mink hair (generally referred to as Kolinsky sable). For further information look <a href="https://watercolorpainting.com/brushes/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a> and <a href="http://www.dickblick.com/info/brushhair/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2017-03-11T10:35:03.030Z
2020-08-08T18:19:19.783Z
2020-08-08T18:19:19.783Z
Vincent.W.
<p>Which one out of "pony hair" and "synthetic hair" painting brushes should be used for water colour paintings and cloth painting?</p>

<p>Is one in any case superior than the other in terms of quality?</p>

<p>Which one should be preferred for what? I am asking about these two specifically because where I live these are the only ones available.</p>

<paint><paint-brushes><acrylic-paint>
Pony hair vs synthetic hair painting brushes
Aquarius_Girl
# Pony hair vs synthetic hair painting brushes

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-03-10)

Which one out of "pony hair" and "synthetic hair" painting brushes should be used for water colour paintings and cloth painting?

Is one in any case superior than the other in terms of quality?

Which one should be preferred for what? I am asking about these two specifically because where I live these are the only ones available.

**Tags:** paint, paint-brushes, acrylic-paint


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-03-11. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

It depends on the synthetic brush that is available. Generally speaking, pony hair brushes are often used in schools since they are inexpensive, yet strong and soft. However, they do not retain the shape of the brush well when wet. Synthetic brushes on the other hand can be both well suited and terrible for painting with watercolors depending on the quality (which has improved largely).

I would suggest you try both and then decide. Take the brush that can hold its shape best when wet while still being able to hold a good amount of liquid.

By the way, the best brushes for water color are usually made from mink hair (generally referred to as Kolinsky sable). For further information look [here](https://watercolorpainting.com/brushes/) and [here](http://www.dickblick.com/info/brushhair/).


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