Cotman Series 999 Short Handle Mop Brushes

Winsor and Newton Cotman brushes are made from the finest quality synthetic fibres. Economically priced, they are suitable for use with watercolour, gouache, acrylic and oil based paints. 

A good quality, versatile range, Cotman brushes use a blend of fibres with differing thickness to achieve the most important qualities sought after by the artist. 

Point - the brush comes to a crisp point which is maintained during use.

Snap & Spring - the brush snaps crisply back into shape with the right degree of spring to allow the artist superior control between the brush and painting surface.

Flow Control - The colour flows evenly and consistently from the point, with enough colour carrying capacity in the belly of the brush to allow flowing gestural strokes.

The thicker fibres contribute strength and spring whilst the thinner fibres improve colour carrying capacity. Together they retain a perfect point, time after time.

The handles are specifically designed to provide balance and comfort when painting, the ferrules are made from high quality nickel-plated brass which helps to prevent corrosion, clogging of hair and enables easy cleaning.

We can attest ourselves to the strength of the fibres. When checking brushes that have just been delivered for stray fibres that have been accidently trapped by the protector sleeve, only a scalpel will trim cleanly. 

Choosing the right brush is important and Winsor & Newton have over 150 years of brush making experience. It is this experience which enables them to provide a number of brushes that are ideal for water colour painting.

Water colour brushes are designed to control the flow of colour. The perfect brush will have a fine point, the ability to hold and evenly control colour and should be able to spring back into shape after every stroke.

As Gouache colour has the same properties as water colour, all water colour brushes are interchangeable with Gouache and the same brush characteristics apply.

We provide a variety of high-quality brushes made from different types of hair to help you achieve different effects.

Every water colour brush in the world should do three important things. It's how well these things are done that separates the best from the rest. Here are the three benchmarks that every water colour brush aspires to:

• A great point - The brush should come to a crisp point, an excellent brush will hold that point during use allowing the artist to create edges and fine detail.
• Perfect 'snap' or spring - The brush should spring crisply back into shape during use. The right degree of spring allows the artist to have control with an element of ‘give and take' between the brush and the surface.
• Even flow control - The colour should flow evenly and consistently from the point of the brush and there should be capacity within the belly of the brush to allow the artist to lay down flowing, gestural strokes of colour.

Water colour brushes are generally made from two types of hair:

Sable 
There are different grades of sable hair, but the very best are the Kolinsky sable from Siberia. The finest Kolinsky is a soft, golden-brown colour that darkens at the tip.

The finest hairs come from the tip of the tail of the male Kolinsky, hairs from other parts of the sable pelt are used in lesser quality brushes. Second quality hairs are much shorter and less "springy" than their counterparts, however they are a little more affordable and still provide a high quality brush.

Synthetic 
Made from superior synthetic filaments, the advantage of these brushes is their affordability synthetic brushes are a first choice for many artists.