Brush pens have become increasingly popular over the years due to their ease of use and versatility. Unlike brushes themselves, these pens come with built-in pigment, saving you the trouble of having to control the consistency of separate inks or paints. Since they are a cheaper alternative to professional brushes, they are popular among hobbyists. There is a variety of bristle types available in brush pens as well, which is why lettering and calligraphy artists use them. Good quality brush pens provide a similar finish as professional brushes made from synthetic or natural bristles.
Due to their increasing demand, a lot of brands have started manufacturing brush pens. The increasing variety means that the decision to select one may be overwhelming. In order to assist you, we have shortlisted the most premium brush pens of 2025. A buyer’s guide is also included with helpful tips on purchasing brush pens.
The Arteza Brush Pens come with flexible and durable nylon bristles, which makes them soft and firm at the same time. They will not fall apart easily, and you can layer different colors. The set includes 36 pieces, and each pen comes with dual tips. One side is an ultra-thin bullet tip, and the other is a brush tip, which means you can use a single pen to transition from thin lines to thick strokes. In addition to this, a water brush pen is also included, which will help you create watercolor strokes using the ink from the brush pens. The set includes both primary and secondary colors and will be sufficient for amateurs and experts. You can also choose the set of 48 if you are looking for a wider color range. Due to their good customer service and high-quality pens, we chose this set as our first pick.
The Colorya Watercolor Brush Pens are perfect for any artist looking to bring beautiful paintings and drawings to life with the help of watercolor. Each of the 50 real nylon brush tip markers offers stunning results with their tapered points for thin lines and pressure for thick strokes. Plus, the two included water tank brushes provide an extra touch of precision to create professional-looking art works. Even more convenient for those on the go, this set comes with a practical zip-up carrying case featuring individual elasticated holders. This allows you to easily store your markers and take them wherever you may go without having to worry about spilling or losing any pens along the way. Perfect for adult coloring books, calligraphy, and watercolor painting, this set is designed to provide a seamless coloring experience with their vibrant 48 colors. Even beyond the art world, Colorya wishes to use these pens as a means of easing stress and immersing people into the wonderful world of art.
The Tombow Brush Pens come in a set of 2, with both a soft-tip pen and a hard-tip option. The brush tip is flexible enough to allow you to adopt different lettering techniques. Just by changing the pressure, you can alternate between fine and medium strokes. This makes these pens ideal for calligraphy and other writing and art drawings. Both pens come in black ink and are water-based. The polypropylene plastic material of the pens is made from recycled substances, which makes them both eco-friendly and durable. These pens are very easy to use and are a suitable tool for those who want to learn calligraphy. You can choose from packs of 3, 6, and 10 if you are looking for different colored or neon pens. The pens do not have any odor, and the ink does not bleed through the paper.
The Hhhouu Brush Pens set is another one of our favorites due to its wide variety of color options. The set includes 100 vibrant and unique colors, allowing you to use your imagination and create personalized art. The ink is quick-dry and dust-free, which means that you can use the pens for different purposes. These include calligraphy, lettering, scrapbooking, writing in your journal, and other art projects. Each pen comes with dual tips, with both a thick tip and a fine liner tip. This provides you the flexibility to pay attention to detail while also shading easily. The pens are made using high-quality materials and are durable enough to last a long time. The ink is non-toxic and odorless, which means the pens can be safely used by kids. The company provides clear return and refund policies in case you are not satisfied.
The Pentel Brush Pens are ideal for those who are looking for pastel shades. This pack of 6 pens comes with flexible tips, which make them ideal for several purposes like calligraphy, outlining, cross-hatching, and feathering. The ink is richly saturated, and the tips can be diluted using water, which means you can use them as watercolors. The tips will not dry out easily even if left uncapped, so these pens will last you a long time. Also, the nibs are pressure sensitive and resistant to regular wear and tear. You can clean them using a paper towel in case you notice any dirt or dust on the tips. A pack of 12 pens is also available, and you can choose from many different colors, including dark ones. The ink will not smudge as it dries almost immediately on paper, so these are ideal for amateurs.
Last but definitely not least, the Artwerk Brush Pens come in a set of 16 vibrant colors. The brush tip is made using nylon fibers and is flexible enough for calligraphy and lettering purposes. The fine-tip side is ideal for outlining and delivering a fine finish to your artwork. The tips, as well as the pen barrels themselves, are made from high-quality materials and are durable enough to last a long time, providing good value for the money. By adjusting the pressure, you can control the thickness and intensity of the strokes, so these pens are a good tool for beginners to learn calligraphy. The fine-tip side is ideal for decorating and writing in journals. The pens are non-toxic and odorless, so they can be used safely around kids. The company provides good customer service and will provide a refund in case you are dissatisfied for some reason.
Brush pens have several uses and are a popular tool among both experts and beginners. This brief buyer’s guide is designed to provide you with all the information you need to purchase the right set for yourself.
When browsing for brush pens, you will notice that different brands provide unique characteristics which are suited for different purposes. We have discussed some of these characteristics below, so you can select the ones that suit your needs.
The three most common tip materials include synthetic fibers, natural fibers, and felt tips. The most common material of synthetic fibers is nylon. This is suitable for you if you are looking for a pen that will closely mimic the effect of a real brush but is also suitable for amateurs. Natural hair bristles are most ideal for professionals, as you need to be aware of the specific technique to use them properly. Felt tip pens are the easiest to use because they tend to be firm and do not require a lot of technique to produce fine lines. These are most suitable for beginners.
The size of the tip will have a direct impact on the thickness of the strokes you produce. For bold strokes and shading purposes, broad tips tend to be ideal. Fine tips are more useful when you want to pay attention to detail. The good thing is that a lot of brush pen brands provide dual tips, so you can alternate between the two as needed without having to purchase separate pens. When deciding between firm and soft tips, keep in mind that firm tips require less control and are easier to use than soft ones.
The ink flow may seem like a small factor, but it can have a huge impact on your artwork. Generally, ink flow can be characterized as wet, medium, and dry. Wet tips provide consistent lines, and you need to apply minimal pressure in order to produce bold lines. At the same time, applying too much pressure can lead to ink splotches, and they will bleed through paper more easily. Medium ink flow is usually ideal, as it does not bleed through paper easily and can provide somewhat consistent lines. Dry ink flow can lead to inconsistent strokes and is only preferred by a few professionals.
Brush pens are either water-based or alcohol-based, and each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. We have discussed their features below.
Water-based brush pens tend to be more common because they are cheaper and more readily available. Such pens do not have any odor, and it can take some time for their ink to dry once you lay it down on paper. Water-based pins are not refillable, but they can usually be reactivated using water if they have dried out. They are not ideal for shading purposes because they have poor fade resistance. If you press them too hard, they can damage the paper. Due to their ease of availability and low price point, they are preferred by beginners and hobbyists.
Alcohol-based brush pens are generally preferred by professional artists, but they are not as readily available as water-based pens, and they tend to be more expensive. Their fade resistance makes them ideal for shading purposes, allowing you to layer different colors. Since the ink of these pens dries quickly, there is less of a chance of you smudging your work. Some alcohol-based pens can have a strong odor, so keep that in mind when purchasing a set. Also, the ink of these pens bleeds through thin paper more readily than water-based brush pens.
All brush pens cannot be used with water, but those with water-based ink can be used as watercolors. You just need to dip the brush tip in a small amount of water to achieve lighter shades.
Yes, brush pens can definitely be used on canvas because it is thick and the ink will not bleed through. Make sure that you do not use them on very thin paper, because they can cause splotches and bleed through easily.
The life of a brush pen depends on the quality and how frequently you use them. If you use one daily, it will last for a few months. A refillable brush pen can last for a few years as long as the tip remains intact.
Ink pens are great for calligraphy and simple designs. If you are interested in making flowers and flowing designs try out a brush pen.
You certainly can, but we recommend that the brush that mixes the colors be cleaned so that you don't taint its future colors.
At Art Life Today, our passion for arts and crafts is at the heart of everything we do. We understand that the right tools and materials can make all the difference in your creative projects, so we take our responsibility as reviewers seriously. Our goal is to help you discover the best products that will inspire your creativity and bring your artistic visions to life.