The type of hair depends on the taste and budget of each artist. Natural hair is usually more expensive but also softer, more absorbent and more durable than synthetic hair. Synthetic hair is usually cheaper but also harder, less absorbent and less durable than natural hair. The best brushes for watercolor are sable hair brushes, especially Kolinsky red sable brushes. However, there are excellent brushes made with synthetic filaments or with a mixture of natural and synthetic hair.