Rosemary & Co Classic Filbert — Bristle Blend Filbert
Long Handle Size 0
£5.29
Sale price
£5.29
Regular price
Skip to product information
Série Classic
Rosemary & Co Classic Filbert — Bristle Blend Filbert
- Material
- Bristle/Synthetic Blend (Blend)
- Shape
- Filbert
- Handle
- Long
- Best for
- Oil, Acrylic
£5.29
Sale price
£5.29
Regular price
Taxes included.
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Tuft Length
11.5 mm
bristle length
Belly Diameter
4.0 mm
widest bristle point
Total Length
tip to handle end
Same-Day Dispatch
Free UK Shipping £70+
Expert Advice
Secure Checkout
Interlocked 90% natural bristle and 10% synthetic filbert — real bristle character with longer-lasting shape, for loose, organic marks in oils.
The Classics address a familiar problem for traditional oil painters: bristle gives a distinctive feel and mark, but an ordinary bristle brush can splay with use. The range combines 90% natural bristle with 10% strong synthetic, with the fibres interlocked — set curving inwards — so the head retains its original shape far longer than plain bristle. The synthetic also adds a touch of spring and makes cleaning easier.
The filbert is a favourite with portrait painters. Its longer hair gives it a loose response with very little snap, producing soft-edged, organic strokes with the grain and texture of real bristle. It suits expressive, painterly passages rather than tight rendering; Rosemary & Co recommends the Ivory range when a tighter, cleaner mark is required.
It is made for oils, including thick, heavy-body paint, and also handles heavy-body acrylics, although natural bristle should not be left soaking in water. It is available only with a long handle (approx. 11″), in sizes 0–16, and is handmade in Yorkshire, England. As it contains 90% natural bristle, it is not vegan — the Evergreen filbert is the vegan alternative in the same shape.
What makes this brush special
Low snap is the defining trait: the long bristle flexes and remains flexed briefly, producing loose, textured and organic marks rather than crisp ones. Its interlocked construction distinguishes it from an ordinary bristle filbert, helping the head retain its oval profile instead of splaying as quickly. Laid on its side, it sweeps broad, grainy strokes; used on its edge, it pulls a finer, broken line. It carries thick paint confidently and leaves visible, characterful brushwork by design.
Medium compatibility
Oil
Acrylic
Best with properly thinned acrylics, especially for detail and glazing.
Great for
- Portrait and figurative work in oils, where the soft filbert edge flatters skin and form
- Loose, expressive brushwork with organic marks and visible texture
- Painters who enjoy bristle character but are tired of heads splaying quickly
- Thick and heavy-body paint — primarily oils, but heavy-body acrylics too
- Broad sweeps from the flat of the head and finer broken lines from the edge
Technique & use
- General Painting
- Glazing & Blending
Less ideal for
- Tight, clean and controlled marks — the Ivory range holds a much crisper edge
- Vegan painters — this brush contains 90% natural bristle; the Evergreen filbert is the vegan option in the same shape
- Thin, fluid media and watercolour — the loose bristle head is built for body rather than washes
Click a row to select size Tap a row · Swipe for price & stock →
Units
/
| Size | Tuft Length | Belly Diameter | Price | Stock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 11.5 mm | 4.0 mm | £5.29 | In Stock |
| 1 | 13.3 mm | 5.5 mm | £5.49 | In Stock |
| 2 | 15.5 mm | 6.2 mm | £5.49 | In Stock |
| 3 | 18.5 mm | 7.5 mm | £5.69 | In Stock |
| 4 | 22.5 mm | 9.5 mm | £5.99 | In Stock |
| 5 | 23.8 mm | 10.6 mm | £6.49 | In Stock |
| 6 | 25.6 mm | 12.1 mm | £6.79 | In Stock |
| 7 | 27.7 mm | 13.8 mm | £7.79 | In Stock |
| 8 | 30.5 mm | 14.8 mm | £8.39 | In Stock |
| 10 | 34.1 mm | 19.5 mm | £9.89 | In Stock |
| 12 | 38.6 mm | 23.5 mm | £11.99 | In Stock |
| 14 | 42.1 mm | 32.3 mm | £14.09 | In Stock |
| 16 | 44.5 mm | 35.5 mm | £14.89 | In Stock |
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 brush
A 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
Treat the bristle gently to preserve its shape. Use solvents sparingly, avoid mineral spirits where possible and never scrub the head. With oils, oil cleans oil: work a little safflower or linseed oil through the bristles to lift the paint, then follow with mild soap and rinse rather than scrub. Wipe away excess paint during the session with a light touch. Reshape the damp head with your fingers and dry the brush flat so water cannot sit in the ferrule and loosen the interlocked setting.
