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

Product Information

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 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 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

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 Best hog has the stiffest hair, plenty of flags, allowing it to carry more colour, and is extremely resilient – so the brush keeps its working edge and shape for longer. Winsor & Newton Artists’ Hog Brushes are made with the highest quality hog. Natural hair brushes are a good choice for working in watercolour or gouache, because they tend to be softer and more flexible than hog hair brushes. Natural hair brushes come in different varieties. 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.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. Squirrel brushes carry colour very well because they can hold a lot of water. They are very good as mop and wash brushes, as they do not point as well as sable. 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. Stay away from detergent, as this will damage the individual bristles on your brush. Another thing to avoid is paint stripper. Many artists use it to resuscitate a brush with dried paint on it, but this often takes the shape away from your brush. Different media, such as watercolour or acrylic or traditional oil, require different types of brushes, and they come in four main types:

Essential tips on stretching watercolour paper

Most importantly, Series 7 fulfils the essential qualities that define the finest watercolour brush for artists: