KUM Watercolor Brush Faded French Round #6

The KUM Faded French Round #6 is a watercolor brush in French form with a round, finely tapered tip – made from a combination of two different high-tech synthetic fibers. Hardness grade Medium-Soft: softer than a classic Kolinsky imitation brush, with more resilience than a pure wash brush. The matte black handle is handcrafted in Germany.

Highlights

• Two-fiber blend: The softer fiber consists of filaments of varying diameters – this creates very high water and color absorption as well as even, controlled release without streaking.
• Stiffer support fiber through hardening process: The second fiber component is thermally stabilized during manufacturing. This gives the brush noticeable resilience – the tip returns to its shape after every stroke, even with stronger pressure.
• French round shape, size 6: The voluminous fiber body stores plenty of water and paint for generous areas, while the finely shaped tip enables lines and details in a single brush.
• Medium-Soft hardness grade: Between the very soft pure wash brush and an elastic round brush – suitable for modern loose watercolor techniques as well as for controlled, detailed work.
• Matte black handle: Sleek, minimalist design without lacquer gloss – rests comfortably in the hand and reflects no light while working.
• 100% handcrafted in Germany: Each brush is individually bound and shaped.

Application & Tips

• Loose watercolor and backgrounds: The voluminous fiber body loads with plenty of diluted paint – ideal for wet-on-wet techniques, atmospheric washes, and soft color gradations without refilling.
• Floral motifs and botanical illustrations: With controlled pressure, you can paint wide petals and curved leaves; by rolling toward the tip, fine ends are created without changing brushes.
• Urban sketching: Size 6 is compact enough for sketchbooks – wide sky areas and tight architectural details can be executed with the same brush by varying pressure.
• Gouache and liquid acrylic paints: The Medium-Soft hardness grade also allows use with slightly thicker, water-soluble media without the brush losing its shape.
• Care: Synthetic fibers are easy to clean with clear water; brush soap is recommended for pigment-rich or opaque colors to keep the fiber roots clean and maintain the tip shape long-term.

For Watercolor Enthusiasts

The Faded French Round positions itself in the KUM range between the very soft French-Aqua wash brush and the more elastic Memory-Point round brush. The thermal stabilization of the support fiber is a manufacturing step that gives the fibers structural tension – similar to the effect that Kolinsky hair creates through its natural fiber structure, but here specifically designed for a medium hardness grade. The result is a brush that combines generous wash tools with the precision of a round tip: color absorption and release remain even across multiple overlaid glazes because the fiber blend holds the liquid capillary rather than releasing it all at once.

Technical Data