The filbert is one of those brush shapes that earns genuine devotion among painters who discover it — sitting between a flat and a round, with a rounded oval tip that produces a distinctive stroke unlike either. The Pro Arte Sablon Series 41 Filbert brings this versatile shape to the Sablon range — the same synthetic sable filament, hand-made in Skipton, North Yorkshire, at a price that makes experimenting with a new brush shape a practical rather than a costly decision.
The rounded oval tip of the filbert produces a stroke that tapers naturally at each side without a hard edge — making it particularly well suited to petal shapes, foliage, soft blends, curved forms, and any brushwork where the abrupt edge of a flat brush would be too stark and the fine point of a round too small. Turned on its side, it produces a finer, more controlled mark. Applied flat with full pressure it gives a broader, soft-edged stroke. The Sablon filament has good spring, holds a useful reservoir of paint in the belly, and the seamless nickel ferrule and short polished handle are consistent with the quality of the full Sablon range.
Sold individually. Available in sizes 4 and 6.
What is a filbert brush best used for in watercolour? The filbert is particularly well suited to petal shapes and floral work, soft foliage and leaf marks, loose portraiture, and any subject where a soft-edged, gently curved stroke is more natural than the hard edge of a flat or the fine point of a round. It is also useful for blending and softening edges in wet or damp washes.
What is the difference between a filbert and a flat brush? A flat brush has square corners that produce hard-edged strokes. A filbert has a rounded oval tip that tapers naturally at each side, producing a softer, more curved stroke without a hard edge. The filbert is generally considered the more versatile and forgiving of the two for watercolour work.
What media is it suitable for? Primarily watercolour and gouache. It also works well with ink and light acrylic washes.
How should it be cared for? Rinse thoroughly in clean water after each use, reshape the tip gently with your fingers, and store upright or flat — never resting on the tip. Do not leave standing in water.
