Squirrel hair wash and mop brush for large watercolour washes. Soft, absorbent, generous.
The Da Vinci Series 418 is a squirrel hair wash/mop brush for watercolour painting. Natural squirrel hair is the softest brush fibre available, holding enormous quantities of water and pigment and releasing it in gentle, flowing strokes without hard edges.
The 418 is a wash specialist — designed for laying down large areas of colour, wetting paper, and creating soft, atmospheric watercolour passages. Da Vinci's German construction ensures the brush is well-made with a secure ferrule and comfortable handle, while the natural squirrel hair delivers the quintessential soft wash experience that synthetic mops struggle to fully replicate.
What makes this brush special
Natural squirrel hair for the softest possible wash strokes. Enormous capacity for water and pigment. Gentle, flowing release without hard edges or streaking. German construction quality from Da Vinci.
Medium compatibility
Watercolour
Smooth flow for washes, controlled lines and fine points.
Gouache
Handles opaque water-based paint when thinned to a brush-friendly consistency.
Watercolourists who want premium natural hair wash brushes
Technique & use
Wash Application
Glazing & Blending
General Painting
Less ideal for
Any kind of detail or precision work
Miniature painting or small-scale hobby work
Thick paints, acrylics, or oils
Painters who do not work with watercolour on larger formats
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Units/
Size
Tuft Length
Belly Diameter
Price
Stock
3/0
17.0 mm
3.7 mm
$24.98
In Stock
2/0
18.0 mm
4.4 mm
$26.91
In Stock
0
19.0 mm
6.0 mm
$31.89
In Stock
1
21.0 mm
7.0 mm
$34.60
In Stock
2
23.0 mm
7.6 mm
$39.73
In Stock
3
31.0 mm
9.6 mm
$50.95
In Stock
4
35.0 mm
10.8 mm
$58.96
In Stock
5
38.0 mm
12.8 mm
$78.35
In Stock
6
43.0 mm
16.0 mm
$122.76
In Stock
8
52.0 mm
19.5 mm
$177.40
Sold Out
10
54.0 mm
23.0 mm
$248.40
Sold Out
12
57.0 mm
25.2 mm
$304.50
Sold Out
Brush sizes are not standardised across brands — a Size 1 from one maker may differ from another. These brushes are handcrafted, so individual dimensions may vary by 1–2 mm.
How we measure a brushA visual guide to the measurements shown in the size chart above.
These are the same measurements shown in the size chart above. Brush sizes are not standardised across brands, so use these dimensions when comparing brushes within a series or between manufacturers.
Tuft Length
The visible length of the brush hairs, measured from the ferrule to the tip.
Belly Diameter
The widest point of the brush head. On round brushes, this is the widest part of the belly.
Total Length
The full measurement from the tip of the brush to the end of the handle.
How to care for your brush
Rinse gently after each session — squirrel hair is delicate. Never scrub or press hard. Clean with mild brush soap if needed. Reshape and store in a brush roll. Avoid solvents and hot water entirely. Natural squirrel brushes last years with gentle handling.