Artists' Watercolour Sable Brushes

On This Page:
- Structure of the Hair
- Point & Belly
- Spring & Snag
- Durability
- Sustainability of the Handle
- Contoured Handle
- Matt Finish of the Handle
- Ferrule
- Manufacture
- Quick Reference Table
- Brushes in the Range
More in This Section:
- Watercolour & Gouache Brushes
- Artists' Watercolour Sable Brushes
- Cotman Brushes
- Sceptre Gold II
- Series 7

The Artists' Water Colour Sable brush range has been created using our unique brush-making expertise and the feedback from experienced water colour artists. 

There is no compromise on the quality of the raw materials used - quality Kolinsky sable hair, Birchwood handles and seamless nickel ferrules all put together by hand to give you, the artist, a truly excellent water colour brush.

The Artists' Water Colour Sable brush range has been created based upon the most popular and useful brush shapes for water colour painting. Using our experience we have improved the profile of the round brush to ensure an excellent belly and perfect point, and introduced a new shape the "Pointed Round", for when extra fine detail with colour carrying is essential.

In addition to the quality of materials and method of manufacture, the Artists' Water Colour Sable brush has the added benefit of a unique sculptured handle with a matt finish for the ultimate in comfort whilst painting.

Structure of the Hair

The Kolinsky sable hair used in Artists’ Water Colour Sable brushes is specially selected from only the finest available, sourced from Eastern Siberia. Kolinsky sable hair has many natural attributes which contribute to its excellent performance for water colour brushes.

Each hair is made up of millions of tiny scales, which when grouped together in a brush head are capable of carrying a vast amount of colour.

This means that large areas can be covered without having to reload the brush with colour, plus the colour is also released in a controlled manner.

Point & Belly

The natural profile of Kolinsky sable hair provides a pronounced belly and is tapered at the tip.

When the hairs are expertly blended together the natural shape of the hair is accentuated giving the brush a large belly and perfect point.

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Spring & Snag

The constitution of Kolinsky sable hair is such that it has a natural tendency to spring back on itself.

This means the brush shape is naturally maintained during painting giving the artist more control. 

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Durability

Kolinsky sable hair is extremely resilient, as a result of the severe weather conditions the sable species is subjected to in its indigenous environment (Eastern Siberia).

Consequently the hair is very durable. A brush with quality Kolinsky sable hair, if cared for correctly, will last much longer than other inferior sables or synthetic brushes.

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Sustainability of the Handle

The handle is made from Birchwood which is FSC certified.

This ensures that the Birchwood used is obtained from a sustainable source and ongoing support is given to the growth of responsible forest management.

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Contoured Handle

The handle has a unique sculptured profile with two ‘bellies’. The central dip allows the brush to sit comfortably in your hand and combines very nicely with the comfort of the matt finish. The second belly towards the end of the brush handle allows for different painting positions. This variety is particularly good with the larger brushes when covering wider areas of the paper.

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Matt Finish of the Handle

Unlike the majority of artists’ brushes, the Artists' Water Colour Sable has a matt finish.

The matt finish provides a more secure grip on the paint brush when in use and will also help differentiate Artists' Water Colour Sable brushes from other gloss brushes - making it easier to find in your collection of brushes when painting.

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Ferrule

A seamless nickel ferrule is used to fit the head to the handle. This prevents corrosion of the ferrule and handle when in contact with water.

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Manufacture

For over 150 years, our skilled brush makers have applied their knowledge to produce brushes of the highest standard. All brushes within the Water Colour Sable range are hand crafted at the Winsor & Newton brush factory in Lowestoft, England.

Each brush undergoes stringent Quality Control checks at each stage of manufacture. 

1. Specialist brush makers select the correct amount of hair required for the brush they are making.
2. Hair is then placed into a ‘cannon’ and gently tapped to allow the hairs to align for the brush maker.
3. Hair is carefully tied using linen thread.
4. Hair is then expertly shaped in the hand of the brush maker.
5. The tie is tightened to maintain the perfect shape.
6. Tied hair is carefully fitted into the ferrule.
7. Finished brush head is checked for shape and brush size.

 

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Quick Reference Table

Usage Watercolour Soft natural hair with excellent flow control and colour carrying.
Material Quality Kolinsky Sable

The best quality material for water colour brushes.
Properties Soft Excellent spring, shape and point retention.
Range Professional Quality Kolinsky sable for optimum performance.
Handle Short Sculptured Handle with Matt Finish

For comfort and control when painting.

 

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Brushes in the Range

Round - Short Handle

Fine detail, lines and washes.
A round bellied water colour brush. This is the most popular water colour brush and is excellent for washes as well as fine detail work.

Pointed Round - Short Handle

Round with an elongated point and tip. For accuracy and fine detail.
An adaptation of the round, it has an extra fine taper point for accuracy and fine detail work, plus the belly to hold colour.

Rigger - Short Handle

Extra fine point for lines, long scroll work and detail.
The longest, thinnest round water colour brush. It was first designed for painting the rigging on ships, these brushes are excellent for continuous fine lines.

One Stroke

- Short Handle

A short flat water colour brush. For edges and shapes or applying washes.
Originally for ‘one stroke’ application by sign writers, many water colourists use this brush for washes. It also makes a unique chisel edged flat brush mark.

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 Click here to see our range of Artists' Sable Brushes