An alternative to sables and other natural soft hairs, synthetic brushes have come a long way in the last decade and Prolene represents the peak in achievement.

It looks like sable, springs well, holds colour and points convincingly, is much more hard wearing and sells at a fraction of the cost. The ultimate vegetarian brush and our biggest seller!

We stock 101 a short handled round in sizes from 0000 up to 24, 103 a rigger (longer haired round), 106 one-strokes from 1/8” to 2”, 107 a spotter for modelmakers and miniaturists and F a short handled fan.

Acrylix brushes were formulated by ProArte to be the perfect brush for using with acrylic paint.

The 201 series has white fibres and long handles and, true to form, Roy now uses them for oil painting. Unlike hog bristle, the finer “hair” of the acrylix brush does not leave brush marks. They are also available with short brown fibres in the 202 and 204 series.

Made by Da Vinci these are also intended for use with acrylic (and once again I must confess that I enjoy using them with oils). They are extremely hardwearing and possess good elasticity.

Available in flat, round and filbert with light coloured “hair” and handles. The flat goes up to an amazing size 50. I particularly liked the round because it kept its point better than a hog but with more guts than a sable.

These striking yellow brushes with black ferrules are designed for use with acrylic paint. The soft dark-tipped synthetic filaments are resilient and durable and they paint with a good spring.

System 3 bushes are very economical and are available in long and short flats, filberts, rounds and the extra wide "sky flow wash".

Made for acrylic painting Cryla brushes combine extreme functionality with good design. The long silver handle and smokey grey filaments look good but it is in performance that it excels with a good spring and the ability to come to a fine point and chisel edge every time.

We stock Cryla brushes in flats, rounds and filberts.

We sell loads of these charismatic bright green handled brushes to schools and art groups. Da Vinci categorises them as "fit for hobby and school". Our customers see them as "extremely good value for the price".

Reasonable quality, inexpensive synthetic brushes with short handles suitable for use with water and acrylic based paints.

I have long disliked nylon brushes since owning a particularly dull obstinate one many years ago. Series 31 round and series 32 flat white nylon brushes have made me reconsider. They have a good spring and hold a reasonable amount of paint. They are very economical and a good brush for beginners.