The standard-line kolinsky round in the do-everything size. Basecoats, layers and edge-highlights an entire army; treat it well and it lasts years.
Kolinsky sable · Size 1
Winsor & Newton Series 7
The Series 7 is the reference kolinsky sable — hand-made in England to a specification dating back to 1866, and for decades the default answer to "what brush should I upgrade to". Two things trip buyers up. First, there are two lines: the standard Series 7 and the Series 7 Miniature, whose shorter bristles hold less paint — most miniature painters are better served by the standard line, whatever the name suggests. Second, sizes run small: a size 1 is the do-everything brush, and a size 2 still holds a fine point.
The Honest Verdict
Still a superb brush, and the retail SERP is full of legitimate art shops selling it. But counterfeits circulate on marketplaces, so buy from an art retailer or a listing sold by the marketplace itself, not an unknown third party. If the price stings, a Rosemary & Co Series 33 gets you most of the way there.
The Range
One size up: more belly for basecoating and larger models, still holding a fine point.
Kolinsky sable · Size 2
The standard line one step finer — detail work that still wants a real belly behind the point.
Kolinsky sable · Size 0
The Miniature line at its finest: 6.5mm hair for eyes, freehand and rim highlights.
Kolinsky sable (short) · Size 3/0
Short-haired Miniature 0 — more control, less paint carried; a detail specialist, not an all-rounder.
Kolinsky sable (short) · Size 0
The Miniature 1: the control of the short hair at the size most painters reach for.
Kolinsky sable (short) · Size 1
The largest Miniature — short-haired precision with enough belly for small basecoats.
Kolinsky sable (short) · Size 2
Brush Sizes Compared
| Citadel | W&N Series 7 | Army Painter | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS Artificer Layer | 00 | Detail | Eyes, gems, the finest detail |
| S Layer | 0 | Character | Fine highlights, small details |
| S Base / M Layer | 1 | — | Layering, basecoating infantry |
| M Base | 2–3 | Regiment | Basecoating larger areas |
| L Base | 4+ | Monster | Vehicles, monsters, terrain |
These are approximate, community-sourced comparisons. Brush sizes are not standardised across manufacturers. A Raphael 8404 size 1 is noticeably larger than a W&N Series 7 size 1, for example. The S Base and M Layer are physically very similar in size despite having different names. When in doubt, buy from a shop where you can handle the brush, or order a single brush before committing to a set.
Other Brush Ranges
Rosemary & Co Brushes
Raphael 8404
Artis Opus Brushes
Army Painter Brushes
Citadel Brushes
Monument Hobbies Pro Brushes
Da Vinci BrushesNot sure what shape you need in the first place? The brush types guide explains every brush on this site - and whatever you buy, the brush care guide is what makes it last.