‘Petit-Gris’ Kazan Squirrel Watercolour Brushes – Raphaël

Price range: R265.00 through R6 199.00

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Raphaël’s Petit Gris Extra Pur 8383 and Lavis “Pointed Mop” Series 803 brushes are classic watercolour tools designed for artists who demand fluidity, precision, and versatility in a single brush. Made from the finest natural Kazan Petit Gris squirrel hair, these brushes hold exceptional amounts of water and pigment, making them ideal for large washes, soft gradients, delicate detail, and expressive strokes. Whether layering atmospheric skies or working on intricate shapes, these brushes deliver smooth, controlled colour release with a luxurious, supple feel. These brushes are a favourite among watercolour artists seeking one tool that effortlessly combines the capacity of a mop brush with the precision of a fine point. The Raphaël Petit Gris Extra Pur 8383 and Lavis Pointed Mop 803 are essential for any artist’s watercolour toolkit, offering timeless performance and exquisite natural brush quality.

 

Product features:

  • Made in France.
  • Designed specifically for watercolour.
  • Pure Kazan squirrel hair (Petit-Gris).
  • Fine tapered point for controlled detail.
  • Traditional wooden handle.
  • Balanced for comfortable control in hand.
  • Excellent water and pigment capacity.
  • Supremely soft and fluid feel.
  • Smooth paint release without harsh starts or stops.
  • Ideal for washes, glazes, and wet-on-wet techniques.

 

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Description

Raphaël Lavis “Pointed Mop” Series 803 – Classic Squirrel Hair Watercolour Brush
The Raphaël 803 Lavis Pointed Mop is one of Raphaël’s most traditional and versatile watercolour brushes. It’s a natural squirrel hair wash (mop) brush designed to hold huge amounts of water and pigment while still forming a fine, tapered point for controlled strokes. This makes it a go-to brush for both broad washes and detail work in watercolour painting.
  • Pure Kazan squirrel hair (Petit-Gris) – This is one of the softest and most absorbent natural hairs used in art brushes, known for exceptional water and paint holding capacity.
  • Hand-wired quill or ferrule – Each brush head is traditionally hand-tied and secured with wire into the metal ferrule and wood handle, preserving the supple natural hair structure.
  • Short wooden handle – Typical of many specialist watercolour brushes, the short handle gives excellent control for both fine work and washes.
  • Exceptionally high liquid capacity – The soft squirrel fibres soak up water and pigment effortlessly, enabling long, continuous strokes without returning to the palette.
  • Fine tapered point – Even though it’s a mop brush, it still forms a distinct, precise point, which helps when you need to switch from washes to finer marks without changing brush.
  • Soft, fluid feel – The natural hair gives a gentle, expressive stroke that’s ideal for nuanced watercolour techniques like wet-on-wet, glazes, atmospheric washes and delicate line work.
  • Versatile performance – Because it combines both high capacity and a fine point, this brush works well across a wide range of watercolour styles, from big backgrounds to smaller shapes.

The Raphaël 803 Lavis Pointed Mop is a great all-round brush for watercolour artists, especially when you want:

  • Large fluid washes – lay down smooth, even layers of colour.
  • Soft gradients and atmospheric effects – excellent for skies or subtle blends.
  • Details without switching tools – the pointed mop still handles small strokes well.
  • Long continuous lines – the generous paint load means fewer interruptions.

This brush is a favourite for artists who want one tool that can do both big washes and refined work without compromise. The Raphaël Lavis “Pointed Mop” Series 803 is a classic watercolour wash brush made with ultra-soft Petit-Gris squirrel hair that holds enormous amounts of water and pigment while still forming a fine point for precision work. It’s a versatile, reliable choice for washes, glazes and detail – an essential tool in any serious watercolourist’s kit.

Raphaël Petit Gris Extra Pur 8383 – Premium Natural Hair Watercolour Brush
The Raphaël Petit Gris Extra Pur 8383 is a high‑quality watercolour brush made with natural Petit Gris squirrel hair. It belongs to Raphaël’s classic Petit Gris range and is prized for very soft, absorbent fibres that hold plenty of water and pigment. This makes the 8383 brush ideal for smooth washes, gentle transitions and controlled detail in watercolour painting.

  • Petit Gris squirrel hair – this natural hair is soft, extremely absorbent and capable of holding a large amount of water and pigment, giving artists smooth paint release and fluid strokes.
  • Traditional wooden handle – varnished and balanced for comfortable control in hand.
  • Metal ferrule – usually nickel‑plated or similar metal to hold fibres securely and resist corrosion.
  • Excellent water and pigment capacity – Petit Gris fibres are naturally fine and soft, allowing the brush to hold generous liquid for long, uninterrupted strokes.
  • Supremely soft and fluid feel – The natural hair gives a buttery, gentle touch on paper, ideal for expressive watercolour techniques.
  • Smooth paint release – Pigment flows off the hairs evenly without harsh starts or stops, helping to create seamless washes.
  • Fine point – Even though this brush holds a lot of liquid, it still forms a distinct tapered point that lets you handle smaller shapes and softer edges with confidence.

The Raphaël Petit Gris Extra Pur 8383 performs beautifully when you want:

  • Luxury watercolour washes – broad, even layers of colour with minimal brush marks.
  • Wet‑on‑wet techniques – the high absorption helps build soft gradients and atmospheric effects.
  • Delicate blends and transitions – perfect for skies, floral subjects and subtle tonal shifts.
  • Soft edges and expressive strokes – the natural hair’s suppleness gives great fluidity and control.

This brush is a favourite for artists who prioritise smooth fluidity and subtle control over very stiff, controlled edges. Raphaël Petit Gris Extra Pur 8383 is a classic, premium natural hair watercolour brush prized for its soft, fluid performance and high liquid capacity. It’s an excellent choice for artists who want smooth, expressive washes, controlled colour release and a responsive natural brush feel that elevates watercolour painting.

 

Care Tips for Longevity
Natural squirrel hair is soft and delicate, so proper care helps this brush last a long time:

  • Rinse thoroughly right after use to remove pigments and prevent build‑up.
  • Use mild soap if needed to clean thoroughly, especially after darker pigments.
  • Reshape the point while still damp so the fibres dry to a sharp tip.
  • Store upright or flat so the delicate hairs aren’t bent or crushed.

Additional information

Brush Shape

Petit Gris Extra Pur (Series 8383), Lavis – Pointed Mop (Series 803)

Brush Size

#3/0, #2/0, #0, #2, #4, #6, #8, #10, #12

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