Kolinsky Sable Watercolour Brushes – Raphaël

Price range: R379.00 through R8 075.00

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Raphaël’s high‑end Kolinsky sable brushes are designed for artists who demand exceptional precision, control and reliability in their work. From ultra‑fine retouch and spotter brushes to long‑liner riggers, each series offers a carefully crafted balance of point, spring and paint-holding capacity, making them ideal for detailed watercolour, graphic arts, and fine decorative work. These brushes are made from genuine Kolinsky sable hair, sourced from the Siberian weasel tail, prized worldwide for its natural elasticity, superb point retention, and excellent paint and water capacity. The natural fibres provide a responsive, sensitive feel under the bristles, allowing precise placement, smooth washes, crisp lines, and fine detail without sacrificing flow or control. All brushes feature professional craftsmanship with seamless nickel‑plated brass ferrules and ergonomically shaped wooden handles, offering balanced control and comfort for extended painting sessions. Each brush is individually finished in France to ensure consistent performance, making them indispensable tools for artists seeking the highest standards in fine detail and watercolour work.

Series 8400 Retouch Spotters: Ultra‑fine, short‑tipped rounds designed for corrections, tiny marks and detailed touch‑ups across a variety of media. Perfect when absolute precision is required.
Series 8404 Top Watercolour Rounds: Classic pointed rounds with a full belly, ideal for both washes and detail work. The fine point and natural spring let artists paint controlled strokes and gradients with ease.
Series 8408 Top Graphic Arts Brushes: Slimmer, long‑tapered points made for botanical, illustration, or graphic work. Offers extra control for extremely fine lines and delicate details.
Series 88026 Extra Long Riggers: Long‑liner brushes with elongated points and high capillarity, designed for flowing lines, continuous strokes and decorative details without frequent reloading.

This collection offers the perfect combination of sensitivity, resilience, and flow, delivering the ultimate in precision and control for artists who value excellence in every brushstroke.

 

Product features:

  • Made in France.
  • Designed specifically for watercolour.
  • 100 % natural Kolinsky sable hair for
  • Unmatched spring, point and pigment retention.
  • Superior paint and water holding capacity for uninterrupted work.
  • Ultra‑fine tips for detailed retouching, graphic, botanical and decorative work.
  • Long, tapered points for controlled strokes, smooth washes and precise lines.
  • Durable handles and ferrules for long‑lasting performance.
  • Available in round, retouching/spotter, long-tapered and extra long rigger shapes.

 

View our range of Raphaël brushes.

 

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Description

Raphaël Series 8400 Retouch Spotter Brushes – Ultra‑Fine Kolinsky Precision.
Raphaël 8400 brushes are ultra‑fine retouch and spotter brushes made with genuine Kolinsky sable hair. These brushes have a very short, pointed round head designed for the most detailed work, corrections and tiny marks in a wide range of media. They’re often simply called “spotter” or “retouch” brushes because of how well they perform when you need to place or adjust the smallest details.

  • Natural Kolinsky sable hair – Raphaël uses high‑quality Kolinsky Ruby/Siberian sable, prized for its natural spring, elasticity, paint and water retention and fine point. These hairs form a sharp, responsive tip that’s hard to match with synthetics.
  • Short round tip – The Series 8400 has bristles cut short and shaped into a tight, pointed round, making them ideal for precise control and tiny lines.
  • Traditional handle and ferrule – Usually found with a short black or lacquered handle and a seamless nickel‑plated brass ferrule that holds the brace of hairs firmly in place.

 

Raphaël 8404 Top Watercolour Brushes – Professional Kolinsky Sable Rounds.
Raphaël Series 8404 brushes are professional‑grade watercolour brushes made from natural Kolinsky sable hair. These are regarded among the top brushes in the world for precision watercolour work because of their superb point, spring and ability to hold plenty of liquid. They’re classic rounds with a pointed tip and full body that give artists both wash and detail capabilities in one tool.

  • 100 % Kolinsky Sable Hair – These brushes are made from genuine Kolinsky red sable, sourced from the tail hairs of the Siberian weasel. This natural hair is prized for combining excellent paint and water retention with a very fine, resilient point.
  • Fine Point and Spring – The long tapered point lets you paint tiny details, fine lines and controlled strokes without switching brushes. At the same time the belly holds significant paint and water for smooth washes and soft gradients.
  • Professional Craftsmanship – Each brush in this series is made in France to high standards. They have a seamless nickel‑plated brass ferrule and a short lacquered handle with a distinctive orange tip, giving a comfortable feel and balanced control.

 

Raphaël 8408 Top Graphic Arts Brushes – Ultra‑Fine Graphic Arts & Detail Watercolour Brushes.
The Raphaël Series 8408 brushes are professional‑grade watercolour brushes made with genuine Kolinsky sable hair, designed with a more tapered body and an extra‑fine long point than many other rounds. They’re sometimes described as graphic arts or botanical brushes because they excel in very precise, detailed work and crisp line work.

  • Extra‑fine, long tapered point – The 8408 series has a slimmer belly and longer point than some other Kolinsky rounds, making it ideal for the smallest details.
  • Very soft feel with excellent spring – Natural sable holds pigment beautifully and releases it smoothly, even in tiny marks.
  • Natural feel and control – Great for controlled spots, lines or strokes without feeling stiff.
  • Short wooden handle – Gives balanced control for delicate painting.

 

Raphaël 88026 Extra Long Rigger Brushes – Premium Kolinsky Sable Liners
The Raphaël Series 88026 Extra Long Rigger Brush is a specialist Kolinsky sable brush with an extra‑long pointed tip designed for flowing lines, fine details and controlled continuous strokes. It’s part of Raphaël’s high‑end natural hair range built specifically for artists who need long, precise marks without frequent reloading.

  • Extra‑long fibres with a fine point – The defining feature of the 88026 is its elongated tip and high capillarity. This means the brush can carry more water and pigment and deliver it in unbroken, fine lines; ideal when you don’t want to stop and reload frequently during long strokes.
  • Superior paint and water retention – Kolinsky sable has natural ability to hold and release medium evenly, giving a smooth flow that’s especially helpful in long continuous lines or decorative elements.
  • Excellent spring and responsiveness – These brushes have a natural “snap” that helps them return to a precise point after each stroke, supporting consistent line quality and fine detail.
  • Natural feel and control – The combination of fine natural hair and thoughtful construction gives a sensitive feel under the bristles, great for artists who appreciate tactile feedback.

 

Care Tips for Longevity

  • Rinse thoroughly with warm water after use.
  • Use brush cleaner or mild soap especially after oil painting.
  • Don’t let paint dry in the ferrule, that’s a common cause of damage.
  • Reshape the bristles while damp before storing.
  • Store handles upright or flat to keep tips precise.
  • These brushes are forgiving and durable, but good care will keep them performing well for years.

Additional information

Brush Shape

Retouch/Spotter (Series 8400), 'TOP' Round (Series 8404), 'TOP' Long‑tapered Round (Series 8408), Extra Long Rigger (Series 88026)

Brush Size

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

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