KUM Watercolor Brush Faded Round #2

The KUM Faded Round #2 is a watercolor brush made from a blend of two different high-performance synthetic fibers, hand-assembled in Germany. Size #2 is the smallest variant in the Faded round brush series – precise enough for fine lines and detail work, yet with a fiber fill that holds significantly more color than the size would suggest. The matte black wooden handle gives the brush a matter-of-fact, clean appearance without decorative excess.

Special Features

• Two-fiber system: The softer fiber consists of a mix of different fiber diameters – this creates minimal air gaps between the filaments, which significantly increases color and water absorption and ensures uniform color flow throughout the entire brush stroke.
• Thermally hardened support fiber: The stiffer component is treated in a special heat process. The result: high shape stability after every brush stroke and a springy return force that keeps the tip reliably in position.
• Medium-soft hardness: Soft enough for wet watercolor techniques, but with noticeable resistance under the brush – this allows both glazing surface work and guided lines with pressure variation.
• Fine, tapering tip (Size #2): Ideal for detail work in botanical illustrations, architectural sketches, facial features in portraits, or narrow structural lines in landscapes.
• Vegan synthetic fibers: Completely animal-free, easy to clean – color residue releases from the fiber bundle more reliably than from natural hair bundles.
• Matte black wooden handle: More grippy than lacquered high-gloss handles, feels comfortable in the hand even during longer working sessions.
• 100% hand-crafted in Germany: Every brush is hand-tied – the fiber bundle sits flush and gap-free in the ferrule.

Application & Tips

• Fine line work: Size #2 is suitable for narrow contours, leaf veining, hair strands in portraits, or brick texture in architectural sketches – wherever a fine tip with sufficient color supply is needed.
• Wet-on-wet technique: The high water capacity of the soft fiber allows you to paint multiple color transitions without reloading in between – clean gradations in small formats work well this way.
• Use pressure variation: Light pressure produces a hair-thin line at the tip; with a bit more pressure the bundle widens and delivers a broader, softer stroke. For calligraphic watercolor lines, experimentation is worthwhile.
• Combination in the series: Size #2 works well as a detail brush alongside a larger Faded round brush (e.g., #6) for areas or a Faded liner for long, uniform lines.
• Care: After use, rinse the brush with lukewarm water and shape the tip lightly with your fingers – the fibers will reliably return to their original shape thanks to their shape memory property.
• Paper recommendation: On smooth, calendered paper the brush shows its most uniform color release behavior; on rough cold-pressed surfaces, interesting texture effects are created through fiber contact with the paper grain.

For Watercolor Enthusiasts

The two-fiber concept of the Faded series addresses a classic tension in watercolor brush design: soft, absorbent fibers hold lots of color but quickly lose their point; stiff fibers maintain shape but store little color. KUM solves this by combining both types in one bundle – the soft component provides the color reservoir function, while the thermally hardened support fiber maintains the tip geometry. Size #2 makes this principle particularly tangible: the bundle is small enough to feel the tip stiffness directly, yet large enough not to need reloading after every second stroke. For watercolorists who alternate between glazing surface work and precise detail drawing, this is a brush that can accompany both phases of a work.

Technical Data