Tombow Water Brush: Refillable Brush in Three Tip Shapes

Product facts

Product

Tombow water brush (WB-SM small, WB-ME medium, WB-FL flat)

Brand

Tombow

Brand origin

Japan

Made in

Not stated^*

Material

Not stated (Tombow lists a refillable water barrel, a cap and a brush tip)

Good for

• Drawing and sketching

Price range

$under $5 per item

Rate it

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Notes on these facts

• Made by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo). Country of manufacture not stated: Tombow's Japanese product page lists tip types, model numbers and the price but no country of manufacture, so check the label. Price: example listing.
• How we test and disclose samples: How we test stationery.
• 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

• Tombow sells three tip shapes: small (WB-SM), medium (WB-ME) and flat (WB-FL), each 550 yen with tax (about US$3.48).
• The barrel holds water: fill it to about 80% through the wide opening, directly from a tap.
• It is meant for blending and mixing water-soluble ink such as Tombow's ABT markers, or watercolor.
• The cap lets you carry it filled, with no water jar or brush washing needed, Tombow says.
• Put only water in it, 3 tips are sold, and pressing the barrel too hard can make water drip.

What is the Tombow water brush?

It is a brush with a built-in water supply. Tombow describes a water brush pen for watercolor effects that can blur and mix water-soluble materials such as water-based ink or watercolor paint. It says that paired with its ABT water-based dye markers you can get watercolor looks easily; see our Tombow Dual Brush Pen guide for the marker family and our Pentel Aquash guide for another maker’s version. We read Tombow’s Japanese page on November 2, 2026.

What features does it have?

A wide fill opening, a cap and three tip shapes. Tombow lists these.

• Easy refilling. The barrel opening is large, so you can fill it straight from a tap.
• Easy to carry. A cap lets you carry the brush with water inside, so you need no water cup or brush washing on the go.
• Three tip shapes. Small, medium and flat.

Which tip should you pick?

Small for detail, medium for general use, flat for washes. Tombow’s descriptions:

Tip	Model	Tombow’s use
Small	WB-SM	Thin, supple tip for fine areas and small lettering
Medium	WB-ME	Larger tip for big areas and lettering that uses the brush’s spring
Flat	WB-FL	Wide tip for even coverage and gradation

Each costs 550 yen with tax (about US$3.48).

How do you fill and use it?

Five steps, per Tombow. Hold the front barrel and turn the rear barrel counterclockwise to remove it. Fill the rear barrel to about 80% through its opening straight from the tap. Screw the brush section back on firmly. Remove the cap, point the tip down and press the rear barrel slowly while wetting the tip and painting. Remove color from the tip by working it on a sponge or tissue.

Who is the water brush for?

It suits people who blend water-soluble markers or watercolor on the go.

• Drawing and sketching: Tombow lists small, medium and flat brush tips for blending ABT markers or watercolor, at 550 yen with tax (about US$3.48).

Skip it if you want a brush that holds paint: Tombow describes a water-only brush for blending and mixing existing color. For markers that blend with it see our best brush pens.

What should you watch out for?

Water only, and gentle pressure. Tombow says to put nothing but water in the barrel. Pressing the rear barrel too hard can make water drip, and overfilling can make water drip when you attach the brush. If the cap or tip is not fitted fully, water can leak, and shaking or squeezing the pen hard can leak it too. When you will not use it for a long time, empty the water and wipe the tip dry. Keep it from small children and use it only for painting and writing.

Where is it made, and what does it cost?

Tombow’s page doesn’t state a country of manufacture. At 550 yen with tax (about US$3.48), each brush is in our $ band (under $5).

Frequently asked questions

What is a water brush?

A brush with a barrel you fill with water. Squeeze gently and the brush wets itself, so you can blend water-soluble ink or watercolor without a water jar.

What tips does Tombow sell?

Small, medium and flat, as WB-SM, WB-ME and WB-FL.

What is each tip for?

Tombow says the small tip is thin and supple for fine detail and small lettering, the medium is larger for bigger areas and calligraphy with some spring, and the flat is wide for even coverage and gradation.

How do you fill it?

Hold the front barrel, unscrew the rear barrel counterclockwise, fill it about 80% from the tap through the wide opening, then screw it back on firmly.

Can I carry it filled?

Yes. Tombow says the cap lets you carry it with water inside, so you need no water cup or brush washer on the go.

What can I use it with?

Tombow says water-soluble ink such as its ABT markers, and watercolor paint.

How do I clean the tip?

Tombow says to wipe color off the tip on a sponge or tissue.

How much does it cost?

550 yen with tax (about US$3.48) per brush in Japan.

Sources (1)

1. Tombow (Japanese): water brush product page (three tip shapes, filling steps, uses, models, price, cautions; read November 2, 2026)

Plain-text version for AI agents: tombow-water-brush.md · Spotted an error? See how we check facts.