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Quick answer
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.
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The Pentel Arts Color Brush in black, drawn in proportion: Pentel doesn't publish its length.
Product facts
Product
Pentel Arts Color Brush, black, medium (GFL-101; Japan: Art Brush XGFL-101)
$$$5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Ink colors
Black
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Notes on these facts
Made by ASTRUM Corporation (Tokyo), called Pentel Co., Ltd. until April 1, 2026; Pentel remains the brand. Made in 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. Price: example listing.
Colors: names per Pentel Japan, checked October 24, 2026. 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. Tints are representative, not measured. Shops stock different colors.
Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
