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If you are looking at Kuretake brush pens for artwork, the ZIG Clean Color Real Brush line is the range to compare. Its sets run from 6 to 120 colors, and the practical choice is mostly about how many colors you want in one purchase and whether you need individual replacement colors. Everything below comes from Kuretake’s own catalog descriptions. This guide does not include hands-on testing, and it does not rank these pens against other brands.
What the ZIG Clean Color Real Brush is
The ZIG Clean Color Real Brush is a brush-tip color pen made by Kuretake. Kuretake’s official 36-color set listing describes the line for illustration, design, and manga, and the wider catalog also lists sketching, watercolor-style illustration, and lettering. The product copy on that listing reads “毛筆だから細描き、ベタ塗り自由自在！”, which roughly translates as “Because it is a brush pen, fine lines and solid fills are freely possible.” That is Kuretake’s own product wording, not a quote from a named artist.
Set sizes and what each one is for
Kuretake’s catalog lists individual colors and set sizes of 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 90 and 120 colors. Model codes are not stated for every size in the catalog entries reviewed for this guide, so check the code on the box or the regional listing before you order.
| Set size | Model code | Uses or details stated in Kuretake’s catalog |
|---|---|---|
| 6 colors | Not stated in the catalog entries reviewed | Listed as a set size; no further detail stated |
| 12 colors | Not stated in the catalog entries reviewed | Listed as a set size; no further detail stated |
| 24 colors | Not stated in the catalog entries reviewed | Listed as a set size; no further detail stated |
| 36 colors | RB-6000AT/36V | Water-based dye ink; made in Japan, per the catalog listing |
| 48 colors | Not stated in the catalog entries reviewed | Listed as a set size; no further detail stated |
| 60 colors | Not stated in the catalog entries reviewed | Listed as a set size; no further detail stated |
| 90 colors | Not stated in the catalog entries reviewed | Described as 89 colors plus a blender; confirm the exact assortment in your regional listing |
| 120 colors | RB-6000AT/120V | Described for lettering, manga, illustration, and planner writing |
Choosing a set size
If you want a small, affordable starting palette
The 6-, 12- and 24-color sets are the lower-commitment options. They suit someone who wants to test the brush tip on a few tones before investing in a larger range. The catalog does not say which set is best for a given skill level, so the choice depends on how many colors your current projects need.
#1 Best Overall
- [36 COLORS SET] ZIG Clean Color Real Brush is a brush type watercolor pen, so it can be used in a wide range of applications such as illustration, design, lettering, and Manga. Because it is a water-based dye ink, you can blur it with water or mix with other real brush colors or blender. The pens are not individually shrink wrapped.
- [DIVERSE APPLICATION] Hold the pen upright to draw a fine line or hold the pen at an angle to color wider areas. When combined with a water brush, you can easily express blurring. Wet the tip of the pen slightly with water to produce multiple gradations of one color.
- [REAL BRUSH] Multiple colors can be combined to create gradations. First, start by applying a darker color, and before it dries, add another color over it to create a color gradation. It is ideal for watercolor, fine art, modern calligraphy, crafts, Journaling, card making, and scrapbooking. In addition, you can apply a darker-colored ink directly to the tip of a light-colored pen to create a gradation when drawing with the lighter color.
- [Certification] Xylene-free, conforms to ASTM D 4236, ACMI-certified for safety, registered AP mark for sale in the United States.
- [HIGH QUALITY] Flexible brush tip makes it easy to create both narrow and wide lines. Great brush pens for watercolor painting, brush lettering, modern calligraphy and more. In 1973, Kuretake developed "Kuretake Fude Pen" and has developed various brush pen since then. Since the development of brush pen technology also applies to the ZIG Clean Color Real Brush, it has become a high-quality watercolor brush pen.
If you want a broad palette in one purchase
The 36-, 48-, 60-, 90- and 120-color sets give you more colors without buying singles. The 120-color set is the most complete option in the listed range, and its catalog entry points to lettering, manga, illustration and planner writing. If you mostly work in one style, a large set may include many colors you never use, so compare the color assortment, not just the count.
If you only need a few specific colors
Kuretake’s catalog includes individual color listings. One example is No. 074, with product code RB-6000AT-074, which is listed separately. The same listing states that the line includes 179 colors plus a blender in total. Individual availability varies by market, so check whether a specific color is sold in your region before you plan around it.
Rank #2
- [120 COLORS] ZIG CLEAN COLOR Real Brush is a brush-type watercolor pen, so it can be used in a wide range of applications such as illustration, design, lettering, and Manga. Because it is a water-based dye ink, you can blur it with water or mix it with other real brush colors or a blender.
- [REAL BRUSH] Multiple colors can be combined to create gradations. First, start by applying a darker color, and before it dries, add another color over it to create a color gradation. It is ideal for watercolor, fine art, modern calligraphy, crafts, Journaling, card making, and scrapbooking. In addition, you can apply a darker-colored ink directly to the tip of a light-colored pen to create a gradation when drawing with the lighter color.
- [DIVERSE APPLICATION] Hold the pen upright to draw a fine line or hold the pen at an angle to color wider areas. When combined with a water brush, you can easily express blurring. Wet the tip of the pen slightly with water to produce multiple gradations of one color.
- [HIGH QUALITY] Flexible bristle brush tip makes it easy to create both narrow and wide lines. Great brush pens for watercolor painting, brush lettering, modern calligraphy and more. In 1973, Kuretake developed "Kuretake Fude Pen" and has developed various brush pen since thena. Since the development of brush pen technology also applies to the ZIG Clean Color Real Brush, it has become a high-quality watercolor brush pen.
- [Certification] Xylene-free, conforms to ASTM D 4236, ACMI-certified for safety, registered AP mark for sale in the United States. [Attention] Be sure to close the cap, and store horizontally away from direct sunlight. If you write quickly, the tip will feel rough, but this is a feature of the pen. If ink appears when you write slowly, the pen is not dry. The pens are not individually shrink wrapped.
How the ink and brush tip are described
Kuretake describes the ink as water-based dye, and says that a water brush can be used to create blending and bleeding effects. The listing reads “水性染料タイプなので水筆などで「ぼかし」「にじみ」も楽しめます。”, which roughly translates as “Because it is a water-based dye type, effects such as blending and bleeding can also be enjoyed with a water brush.” Kuretake also describes the brush tip as suitable for both fine lines and filled areas.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →These are manufacturer claims about how the pens are meant to be used. The catalog does not establish how the ink performs on specific papers, whether the ink is waterproof, how it holds up to light over time, or whether the pens can be refilled. If any of those matter for a finished piece, check them with the seller or the manufacturer before relying on them.
Rank #3
- [24 COLORS SET] ZIG Clean Color Real Brush is a brush type watercolor pen, so it can be used in a wide range of applications such as illustration, design, lettering, and Manga. Because it is a water-based dye ink, you can blur it with water or mix with other real brush colors or blender. The pens are not individually shrink wrapped.
- [DIVERSE APPLICATION] Hold the pen upright to draw a fine line or hold the pen at an angle to color wider areas. When combined with a water brush, you can easily express blurring. Wet the tip of the pen slightly with water to produce multiple gradations of one color.
- [REAL BRUSH] Multiple colors can be combined to create gradations. First, start by applying a darker color, and before it dries, add another color over it to create a color gradation. It is ideal for watercolor, fine art, modern calligraphy, crafts, Journaling, card making, and scrapbooking. In addition, you can apply a darker-colored ink directly to the tip of a light-colored pen to create a gradation when drawing with the lighter color.
- [Certification] Xylene-free, conforms to ASTM D 4236, ACMI-certified for safety, registered AP mark for sale in the United States.
- [HIGH QUALITY] Flexible nylon brush tip makes it easy to create both narrow and wide lines. Great brush pens for watercolor painting, brush lettering, modern calligraphy and more. In 1973, Kuretake developed "Kuretake Fude Pen" and has developed various brush pen since then. Since the development of brush pen technology also applies to the ZIG Clean Color Real Brush, it has become a high-quality watercolor brush pen.
Checks before you buy
- Confirm the set code and color count on the packaging or regional listing, since product pages can differ by market.
- For a 90-color set, confirm whether the box contains 89 colors plus a blender, as the catalog describes.
- Treat yen prices on Kuretake’s catalog as Japan-market list information, not your local price.
- Confirm that the individual color you need is currently sold in your region.
Which set to choose
For most readers, the right set is the smallest one that covers the colors you already use. Choose a smaller set to start. Move to a larger set, such as the 36-, 60- or 120-color options, when you find yourself needing a wider range. Buy individual colors only to fill specific gaps. Kuretake’s catalog supports this approach, but it does not show that any one size outperforms the others for artwork or design work.
For more on choosing art supplies, see iTechGuides.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ZIG CLEAN COLOR Real Brush is a brush-type watercolor pen, so it can be used in a wide range of applications such as illustration, design, lettering, and Manga; Because it is a water-based dye ink, you can blur it with water or mix it with other real brush colors or a blender
- [REAL BRUSH] Multiple colors can be combined to create gradations; First, start by applying a darker color, and before it dries, add another color over it to create a color gradation; It is ideal for watercolor, fine art, modern calligraphy, crafts, Journaling, card making, and scrapbooking; In addition, you can apply a darker-colored ink directly to the tip of a light-colored pen to create a gradation when drawing with the lighter color
- [DIVERSE APPLICATION] Hold the pen upright to draw a fine line or hold the pen at an angle to color wider areas; When combined with a water brush, you can easily express blurring; Wet the tip of the pen slightly with water to produce multiple gradations of one color
- Ink: Water-based dye ink
Rank #4
- [90 COLORS] ZIG CLEAN COLOR Real Brush is a brush-type watercolor pen, so it can be used in a wide range of applications such as illustration, design, lettering, and Manga. Because it is a water-based dye ink, you can blur it with water or mix it with other real brush colors or a blender.
- [REAL BRUSH] Multiple colors can be combined to create gradations. First, start by applying a darker color, and before it dries, add another color over it to create a color gradation. It is ideal for watercolor, fine art, modern calligraphy, crafts, Journaling, card making, and scrapbooking. In addition, you can apply a darker-colored ink directly to the tip of a light-colored pen to create a gradation when drawing with the lighter color.
- [DIVERSE APPLICATION] Hold the pen upright to draw a fine line or hold the pen at an angle to color wider areas. When combined with a water brush, you can easily express blurring. Wet the tip of the pen slightly with water to produce multiple gradations of one color.
- [HIGH QUALITY] Flexible bristle brush tip makes it easy to create both narrow and wide lines. Great brush pens for watercolor painting, brush lettering, modern calligraphy and more. In 1973, Kuretake developed "Kuretake Fude Pen" and has developed various brush pen since thena. Since the development of brush pen technology also applies to the ZIG Clean Color Real Brush, it has become a high-quality watercolor brush pen.
- [Certification] Xylene-free, conforms to ASTM D 4236, ACMI-certified for safety, registered AP mark for sale in the United States. [Attention] Be sure to close the cap, and store horizontally away from direct sunlight. If you write quickly, the tip will feel rough, but this is a feature of the pen. If ink appears when you write slowly, the pen is not dry. The pens are not individually shrink wrapped.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
