--- title: "Pentel Arts Color Brush: Refillable Nylon Brush Pen" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pentel-color-brush/" description: "Pentel Arts Color Brush (GFL) explained: a refillable nylon brush pen with water-based dye ink, US and Japanese colors, refills, washes and where it's made." category: "Pens" type: "Brush pen" published: 2026-10-22 updated: 2026-10-24 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 4 products: - name: "Pentel Arts Color Brush, black, medium (GFL-101; Japan: Art Brush XGFL-101)" brand: "Pentel" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Plastic barrel and cap, nylon brush tip, water-based dye ink cartridge" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "ASTRUM Corporation (Tokyo), called Pentel Co., Ltd. until April 1, 2026; Pentel remains the brand" model: "GFL-101 (US pack GFLBP101; Japan XGFL-101)" mpn: "GFLBP101" gtin: "072512226902" url: "https://www.pentel.co.jp/products/brush/artbrush/" --- # Pentel Arts Color Brush: Refillable Nylon Brush Pen > The Pentel Arts Color Brush is a refillable brush pen with a durable nylon tip and water-based dye ink, sold in Japan as アートブラッシュ (Art Brush). Pentel says it moves easily between line and wash. Japan lists 24 colors plus 6 fluorescents at ¥660 (about US$4.20); Pentel of America lists Japan as the origin. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pentel-color-brush/ - Category: Pens - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-22 - Updated: 2026-10-24 ![Black Pentel Arts Color Brush drawn in proportion, with an inset of its nylon brush tip](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/pentel-color-brush-16x9.png) *The Pentel Arts Color Brush in black, drawn in proportion: Pentel doesn't publish its length.* Original drawing (SVG): . Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Product facts | Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Pentel Arts Color Brush, black, medium (GFL-101; Japan: Art Brush XGFL-101) | Pentel (by ASTRUM Corporation (Tokyo), called Pentel Co., Ltd. until April 1, 2026; Pentel remains the brand) | Japan | Japan | Plastic barrel and cap, nylon brush tip, water-based dye ink cartridge | – | $$: $5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | - Made in (Pentel Arts Color Brush, black, medium (GFL-101; Japan: Art Brush XGFL-101)): Japan. Pentel of America's 2023–2024 product guide gives the origin of the Color Brush family (GFL water-based and GFP pigment versions, with their refills) as Japan. Pentel's Japanese product page doesn't state a country. Source: https://pentel.mywestamerica.com/2023ProductGuide/85/ ### Pentel Arts Color Brush, black, medium (GFL-101; Japan: Art Brush XGFL-101) colors - Ink colors (30 standard, 0 special edition): Black; Red; Blue; Green; Lemon Yellow; Brown; Orange; Pink; Sky Blue; Light Green; Turquoise; Olive Green; Pale Orange; Steel Blue; Gray; Yellow Orange; Sepia; Purple; Burgundy; Emerald Green; Pale Brown; Lime Green; Coral Pink; Violet; Fluorescent Red; Fluorescent Orange; Fluorescent Yellow; Fluorescent Green; Fluorescent Pink; Fluorescent Blue. - Per Pentel Japan (https://www.pentel.co.jp/products/brush/artbrush/), checked 2026-10-24. The 24 dye-ink colors (XGFL) and 6 fluorescent pigment colors (XGFLP) on Pentel Japan's Art Brush page; English names are translated from Pentel's Japanese color names. Pentel of America's guide lists black, red, gray and sepia for the US GFL. Tints are the color-chip values on Pentel Japan's page. Shops stock different colors; check the listing. ## Key takeaways - Pentel Japan lists 24 dye colors (XGFL) plus 6 fluorescent pigment colors (XGFLP) for the same pen. - Pentel Japan prices the Art Brush at ¥660 (about US$4.20) with tax and the fluorescent version at ¥715 (about US$4.50). - Pentel of America says the refill barrels are easy to replace and the reverse thread stops leaks; black refills are FR-101. - The black GFL-101 had about 820 Amazon US ratings averaging 4.6 stars, with 100+ bought in the past month, on October 22, 2026. - Pentel of America's 2023–2024 product guide lists Japan as the origin of the Color Brush. ## What is the Pentel Arts Color Brush? **It's Pentel's refillable brush pen with a nylon brush tip and colored water-based ink, sold in Japan as アートブラッシュ (Art Brush).** Pentel of America says it moves easily between line and wash: the tip floods wide strokes with solid color, then gives a light touch for delicate lines. Pentel Japan pitches it for illustration, modern calligraphy, journal decoration, greeting cards and watercolor-style painting. ## How popular is it? **On October 22, 2026, the black GFL-101 had about 820 Amazon US ratings averaging 4.6 stars, with 100+ bought in the past month.** It's the color counterpart to Pentel's black brush pens. ## Pentel Color Brush specs | Spec | Value | |---|---| | Maker | ASTRUM Corporation (Pentel brand), Tokyo | | Type | Refillable brush pen, capped | | Tip | Nylon brush | | Ink | Water-based dye (GFL); pigment versions GFP | | Black | GFL-101 (US pack GFLBP101; Japan XGFL-101) | | Refill | FR-101 black (US); XFR-1xx (Japan) | | Colors (Japan) | 24 + 6 fluorescent | | Japanese price | ¥660 (about US$4.20) with tax | | Made in | Japan (Pentel of America) | Pentel doesn't publish the pen's length on the pages we read, so our cover is drawn in proportion. The black Art Brush's JAN code is 4902506291424. ![Pentel Color Brush parts: soft barrel with cartridge, reverse-threaded joint and nylon brush](https://stationerytimes.com/images/pentel-color-brush-parts.svg) *The Color Brush drawn in proportion: the cartridge sits in the barrel behind a reverse-threaded joint.* ## How do you refill it? **Unscrew the barrel at the joint and swap in a new cartridge: FR-101 for black in the US.** Pentel of America says the refill barrels are easy to replace and that the reverse thread stops any leakage. Pentel Japan sells a matching cartridge for each color, XFR-101 to XFR-166, plus fluorescent cartridges, so you can keep a favorite pen going. ## What colors are there? **Pentel Japan lists 24 dye colors and 6 fluorescent pigment colors; the US range is mainly black, red, gray and sepia.** Japan's colors run from black, sepia and gray through burgundy, emerald green, coral pink and violet, and an 18-color set holds the first 18. Pentel Japan notes that the fluorescent colors glow under black light. Pentel of America also sells pigment-ink versions in black, gray and sepia, which it calls acid-free, fade-proof and water-resistant. ## Dye or pigment: which Color Brush? **Pick the standard dye-ink GFL for color and washes, and the pigment GFP when lines must survive water.** Pentel of America says the water-based dye dries quickly with rich, intense color, while the pigment version is acid-free, fade-proof and water-resistant. The US range also comes in different tip sizes. Pentel of America's guide lists black water-based pens in fine (FL2F) and bold (FL2B) beside the medium GFL, and pigment black in fine (FP5F) and medium (FP5M), each with its own refills. If you only want black for inking, the pigment versions are the closer match to the [Pentel Pocket Brush](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pentel-pocket-brush-pen/). ## How do you paint washes with it? **Dip the tip in water, blend with a water brush, or squeeze ink onto a palette and dilute it.** Pentel Japan shows all three, and for gradients, touching a light tip to a dark one so the stroke fades from one color into the other. A water brush such as the [Pentel Aquash](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pentel-aquash-water-brush/) makes it a pocket watercolor kit. ## How does it compare with other brush pens? **Choose the Color Brush for refillable color, the Fude XFL2L for black calligraphy, and Kuretake's Real Brush for the widest color range.** | | Pentel Color Brush | [Pentel Fude XFL2L](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pentel-fude-brush-pen/) | [Kuretake ZIG Clean Color Real Brush](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kuretake-zig-clean-color-real-brush/) | |---|---|---|---| | Tip | Nylon brush | Nylon hairs | Polyester bristles | | Ink | Dye (GFL) or pigment (GFP) | Black dye | Dye | | Refillable | Yes, cartridges | Yes, cartridges | No | | Colors | 24 + 6 in Japan | Black | Up to 120 in sets | See our [best brush pens](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-brush-pens/) for more. ## Where is the Pentel Color Brush made? **In Japan, according to Pentel of America's 2023–2024 product guide, which lists Japan as the origin of the Color Brush.** Pentel's Japanese product page doesn't state a country. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is the Pentel Color Brush refillable? Yes. It takes ink cartridges: FR-101 for black in the US (sold as a 2-pack) and XFR-101 to XFR-166 in Japan. Pentel of America says the reverse thread stops leaks. ### Is Pentel Color Brush ink waterproof? The standard GFL ink is water-based dye and not waterproof, which is what lets it spread into washes. Pentel of America also sells pigment-ink versions (GFP) that it calls water resistant. ### How many colors does the Pentel Color Brush come in? Pentel Japan lists 24 dye colors and 6 fluorescent colors as the Art Brush. Pentel of America's guide lists black, red, gray and sepia water-based versions, plus pigment black, gray and sepia. ### What is the Pentel Art Brush? It's the Japanese name (アートブラッシュ) for the same refillable color brush pen. Japanese codes start with XGFL, US codes with GFL. ### How do you make a watercolor wash with the Color Brush? Pentel Japan suggests dipping the tip in water, blending the color with a water brush, or squeezing ink onto a palette and diluting it. Touching a light tip to a dark one gives a two-color gradient. ### Is the Pentel Color Brush made in Japan? Yes, per Pentel of America's 2023–2024 product guide, which lists Japan as the origin of the Color Brush. ## Sources - [アートブラッシュ (Pentel Japan Art Brush page: 24 colors XGFL and 6 fluorescent XGFLP, cartridges XFR, 18-color set, how to make gradients and washes, ¥660 and ¥715, JAN codes)](https://www.pentel.co.jp/products/brush/artbrush/) - [Pentel of America 2023–2024 Product Guide, p. 83: Color Brush (GFL water-based and GFP pigment codes, FR-101 refills, reverse thread, origin Japan)](https://pentel.mywestamerica.com/2023ProductGuide/85/) - [Amazon: Pentel Color Brush Pen, Black (GFLBP101; UPC 072512226902; about 820 ratings, 4.6 stars, 100+ bought in past month, read October 22, 2026)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002PIFTRE) - [Staples Canada: Pentel Arts Colour Brush, Black Ink](https://www.staples.ca/products/2980765-en-pentel-arts-colour-brush-black-ink)