Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Water Colour Brush, N1

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Looking after an acrylic brush is in some ways similar to looking after a watercolour brush. But there are also some differences. If you are using solvent-based varnishes, these should be removed using Winsor & Newton Artists’ White Spirit, whereas water-based varnishes can be removed with soap and water. Cleaning your acrylic brush with mild soap and cool water still applies. For a thorough clean, soak the brush overnight in Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner, which will remove any dried acrylic colour. Repeat the washing and rinsing process until the water runs clear. What to avoid Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable brushes are best suited for use with watercolour paint, but can also be used for other water-based paints such as thinned gouache. Perfect for both washes of colour and fine detail work. Walk into any artists’ store and the sheer number of brushes on display can seem overwhelming at first. Should you choose natural or synthetic fibres? Which head shape is most suitable? Is it best to go for the most expensive? Fear not: by exploring these questions just a little more you can narrow down the number of choices you need to make and find the right tool for the job. Hair type

Watercolour brushes are delicate, and strong soap may damage the bristles by removing natural oils. Keep your water warm, but not hot, as hot water may cause any remaining paint to clot. If you’re using oil or acrylic, natural hog hair brushes are a good choice. They are naturally stiff and each bristle is split into two or three at the tip. These splits are called flags and they allow the brush to hold on to more paint and apply it evenly. Remember, hog brushes come in different shades; if they are white, you need to make sure this is natural and not bleached, which will have weakened the bristle. Hog hair comes in different in qualities. As far as head shapes, brushes are offered in a range of shapes which allow for different types of marks to be made. Depending on the range, shapes include round, long flat, filbert, short filbert, short flat/bright, and fan. Most importantly, Series 7 fulfils the essential qualities that define the finest watercolour brush for artists: If you prefer an alternative to natural hair or are on a budget, then it is worth considering synthetic brushes. Driven by innovation and our unique brush-making expertise, our synthetic brushes perform at a professional level. They can be soft or stiff; the soft brushes work well with watercolour, while the stiff brushes work best with oils. Synthetic brushes often have an excellent point and can carry colour very well. Winsor & Newton offers a wide range of synthetic brushes including Monarch Brushes, Cotman Brushes and Galeria Brushes.Adhere to the following three standards of brush care and you’ll be well equipped with the knowledge to keep your prized materials in a state to produce stellar results. How to clean your brushes thoroughly and properly

Flow Control - The color flows evenly and consistently from the point, with enough color carrying capacity in the belly of the brush to allow flowing gestural strokes. With watercolour and acrylic brushes, it’s important to remove excess water, dry ferrules and handles, reshape brush heads, and rest them with the bristles facing upwards to dry off. Don’t worry if you notice a stain in your bristles – this has no effect on the performance or life of the brush. When it comes to storage, you should place the brushes in a pot or jar with the bristles facing upwards, only storing them when they are completely dry. When pigment particles build up at the base of the brush, it pushes hairs apart and stops the point from forming. To avoid this, wipe your watercolour brush clean with a lint-free rag and rinse it under running water. Then, using mild soap and cool water, swirl the soapy brush in the palm of your hand and rinse. Repeat the washing and rinsing process until the waters run clear.Brushes are some of the most essential artists’ tools, so it’s imperative they’re properly looked after – allowing them to perform to their highest potential. Over time, taking care of your brushes can save you time and money. Good quality brushes, such as those in our iconic Series 7 range, can last a lifetime if treated well.

If you’ve been working with oils, use a rag to wipe away as much colour as possible from your brush. Then rinse any remaining colour using Winsor & Newton Artists’ White Spirit or Brush Cleaner. Next, as you would when cleaning your hands, create a lather and rinse the brush under warm, not hot, water until the water runs clear of colour and soap.

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Both ranges are 100% FSC ® certified; the Birchwood used for the uniquely fashioned ergonomic handles is obtained from sustainable sources and ongoing consideration is given to the growth of responsible forest management. Blends Sable and synthetic blends such as Sceptre Gold II provide a performance that is close to sable at a price that is close to synthetic. Head shape and size Most importantly, Series 7 fulfills the essential qualities that define the finest watercolor brush for artists: