Raphaël

Raphaël began as a brush workshop on the bank of the Seine in Paris over 200 years ago. Considered the inventor of the modern fine art brush, Raphaël is responsible for introducing landmark developments in ferrule and brush design, such as the first filbert brushes for the Impressionists who requested a “worn-in” flat brush. The filbert brush mark became the Impressionist’s signature, and is just one example of Raphaël’s many contributions to the evolution of painting. In 1925, the company moved to Brittany, a region renowned for its exquisite handmade lace. The artistry of their craftswomen was assimilated into brush making.

As the oldest brush maker in Europe, Raphaël sources only the finest hairs and bristles, sorted and dressed by traditional methods. Through advanced research, Raphaël also produces state-of-the-art synthetic brushes offering enhanced performance characteristics. Whether for the professional or novice, Raphaël brushes offer an unparalleled combination of traditional quality, innovation, and value.

da Vinci

Based in Nürnberg, Germany, da Vinci has created quality artist and specialty brushes for three generations. Today, the family owned business offers the largest selection of artist brushes in the world. Each brush is crafted with pride to da Vinci’s exacting standards. Using the best raw materials available, skilled brush makers draw on centuries-old wisdom and input from contemporary professional artists. Utilizing the latest technical innovations, da Vinci creates brushes of unsurpassed beauty, quality and endurance.

At the beginning of the new millennium, da Vinci began building a new factory from the ground up. It is now the most modern brush factory in the world today. Combining age old natural hair brush making techniques with the latest technology for synthetic brushes, the perfect synthesis has been achieved in da Vinci brushes for today’s modern masters and inspired amateurs. Every machine at the new factory was built by da Vinci’s own machine shop. All conditions in the factory are first rate, well paid artisans in a sweat shop free environment.

Escoda

Based near Barcelona, Spain, the Escoda family has been making hand-crafted brushes for over 70 years. Escoda’ goal is to make the very best brush possible for fine artists. Escoda’s consistent commitment to excellence has earned them the prestigious UNE-EN-ISO 9001/00. This is a very rare and distinguished achievement for art materials manufacturers.

Some unique features of an Escoda brush:

• Each Escoda brush is made by hand, one at a time
• Escoda uses only brass ferrules plated with nickel or 14-carat gold
• An exclusive triple crimp permanently secures each ferrule to every handle
• Lightweight handles never warp and are perfectly balanced. Each has up to 5 layers of beautiful transparent varnish.
• Most Escoda series of brushes use dimensions common to one another. This offers the artist a consistency between series not often available in brushes
• Escoda “cures” each brush with an exclusive process unknown and unavailable to any other manufacturer. This builds a memory into each brush allowing it to keep its shape and enhance the desired natural characteristics of the fine hairs and synthetic filaments.

Isabey

Located in Saint Brieuc, France, Isabey has been producing brushes since 1895. It takes brushmakers seven years to learn how to make the brushes of the Isabey line. Isabey brushmakers must apprentice ten years before being allowed to make the Kolinsky sable, red sable, and Siberian blue squirrel mop brushes.

Isabey travels to the most remote locations in the world to hand select only the finest hair available. Unlike manufacturers who buy pre-dressed hair and pre-assembled brushes, every Isabey brush is completely made by hand from start to finish, and completely hand dressed, including the washing, sorting, and shaving of the hair.

In order to preserve the natural qualities and characteristics of the hair, all Isabey brushes are shaped exclusively during the mounting of the hair, without further cutting or re-shaping of its tip. Through traditional methods, careful selection of materials, the strictest quality control, and unparalleled pride in workmanship, Isabey crafts brushes of distinction that are truly works of art. Adherence to this tradition that has been passed through the centuries makes Isabey brushes the finest in the world.