Historic Kolinsky sable with legendary snap and point. The fine art icon since 1866.
The Winsor & Newton Series 7 is one of the most iconic brush series in art history, originally developed in 1866 for Queen Victoria. Made from pure Kolinsky sable with a distinctive red handle, it offers a firm, responsive feel with excellent spring-back and point retention.
Compared with Raphael 8404, Series 7 has a slightly slimmer profile and firmer snap, making it feel more precise but with less paint capacity. Compared with the Series 7 Miniature (shorter bristles), the standard Series 7 offers more flexibility and paint-holding ability. Many painters prefer the 8404 for miniatures due to its larger belly, but Series 7 remains the go-to for watercolour purists and painters who prefer a crisper, more controlled feel.
What makes this brush special
Firm snap and spring-back โ the crispest feel among premium Kolinsky brushes. Excellent point that forms naturally from the hair quality. Slimmer belly than Raphael 8404, which gives more precision but less capacity. The handle and ferrule quality are exemplary. A brush that rewards experienced painters who understand pressure and water control.
Medium compatibility
Watercolour
Smooth flow for washes, controlled lines and fine points.
Miniature Paints
Works well with fluid hobby acrylics for detail, layering and controlled basecoating.
Gouache
Handles opaque water-based paint when thinned to a brush-friendly consistency.
Ink
Good for fluid inks; clean promptly after use.
Great for
Precise watercolour work where crisp edges and controlled washes matter
Detail painting on miniatures, especially eyes, gems, and fine lines
Painters who prefer firm brush response over soft flow
Traditional watercolour techniques โ wet-on-dry, controlled glazing
Technique & use
Detail Work
Glazing & Blending
General Painting
Lining
Edge Highlighting
Wash Application
Less ideal for
Heavy drybrushing โ natural sable is not designed for this
Painters who prefer a softer, more flowing brush feel
Large-area basecoating where paint capacity is critical
Budget buyers โ premium pricing comparable to Raphael 8404
Click a row to select sizeTap a row ยท Swipe for price & stock โ
Units/
Size
Tuft Length
Belly Diameter
Total Length
Price
Stock
3/0
6.0 mm
0.2 mm
175 mm
$19.92
In Stock
2/0
7.0 mm
0.6 mm
177 mm
$20.71
In Stock
0
9.0 mm
1.1 mm
177 mm
$21.28
In Stock
1
10.5 mm
1.5 mm
181 mm
$23.44
In Stock
2
14.7 mm
2.0 mm
185 mm
$26.41
Sold Out
3
15.4 mm
2.2 mm
189 mm
$35.50
In Stock
4
18.0 mm
2.5 mm
191 mm
$57.36
In Stock
5
20.8 mm
3.1 mm
195 mm
$74.78
In Stock
6
22.7 mm
3.5 mm
200 mm
$92.09
In Stock
7
26.4 mm
4.3 mm
232 mm
$145.37
In Stock
Brush sizes are not standardised across brands โ a Size 1 from one maker may differ from another. These brushes are handcrafted, so individual dimensions may vary by 1โ2 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 thoroughly after each use. Clean with brush soap regularly. The Series 7 ships with a protective gum arabic coating โ reshape with soap after cleaning to maintain the point. Store horizontally or tip-down, never standing in water. Avoid metallic paints and harsh solvents. With care, expect several years of excellent performance.
5 stars: 4 (100%)
4 stars: 0 (0%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)
J
John Connelley
Wonderful Brush!
Hobby Heaven always delivers the best materials!
J
John Connelley
Excellent Shop!!!
This store cares about us! Great packaging and service! Very helpful! Support this Shop because they support us.
C
Charles
They are very nice, sharp tips, using army painter speed paints they sprawl after a little while, but after a nice cleaning the tip reforms to a sharp point.
A
Aneurin Harrow
Probably the best paintbrush Iโve ever used, worth every penny
A
Andrew Palmer
When are you likely to get more stock of the Windsor and Newton series 7 size 0 in please?
