Raphaël Brush Deals: Compare Sale Prices & Find the Best Discount UK

Raphaël has been making brushes since before Napoleon became emperor. In 1793, in the middle of the French Revolution, a craftsman called Mr Parent opened a brush workshop in Paris, very close to the Pont Neuf. The business passed through several owners in its early decades, and in 1859 it was bought by Charles Sauer, who moved production out of Paris. His son, Max Auguste Sauer, built a steam-powered factory at the end of the nineteenth century, and in 1925 the next generation moved fine brush making to Saint-Brieuc in Brittany, where Raphaël brushes are still made today. More than two centuries after it began, the company is still family-owned, now in its fifth generation, and it’s part of the Max Sauer group, which also owns the Sennelier colour brand.

What makes Raphaël special is the craftsmanship. Its brushes are made by hand, and the skilled craftspeople who make them train for years before they’re trusted to produce finished brushes. The hairs and bristles are sourced from around the world and hand-sorted, and the handles and ferrules are chosen for both looks and durability. That level of care is why Raphaël brushes are found in the kits of so many professional painters, and why they’re considered among the finest brushes you can buy.

The most famous Raphaël brush is the 8404, a Kolinsky sable watercolour round. Kolinsky sable is the most prized natural hair for watercolour brushes, holding a large amount of water and colour while still snapping back to a needle-fine point. For many watercolourists, a Raphaël 8404 is the brush they dream about, and once you’ve used one, the way it holds a point and releases colour is irresistable. Raphaël also makes the Kolinsky Gold red sable round, for those who want natural hair at a slightly different price point.

You don’t have to buy natural hair to enjoy Raphaël quality, though. The brand makes a strong range of synthetics, perfect if you’re concious about animal hair or simply want a durable, affordable brush. Softaqua is a soft synthetic watercolour brush, Precision is a synthetic imitation sable for watercolour, available in rounds and fine line versions, and Kaërell is a versatile synthetic range for acrylics that also handles other media, with rounds, filberts, riggers and wide spalters. The Stradivarius imitation Kolinsky range offers sable-like performance in a synthetic, with shapes like extra-long point rounds, flats, riggers and daggers.

For oil painters, Raphaël makes natural bristle brushes too, including the d’Artigny hog range and Oleo white hog bristle brushes, which have the stiffness and spring needed to move thick oil paint. There’s also the Kazan squirrel range for soft washes, plus mops, stencil brushes and specialist shapes for almost every technique.

In sixteen years in the art supplies industry, including nearly a decade running digital marketing at ARTdiscount, I’ve seen Raphaël hold its place as one of the brushes serious painters aspire to own. In our community of 36,000 UK artists at Discount Art Supplies, brush conversations come up constantly, and when people ask which sable brush is worth investing in, Raphaël is one of the first names mentioned, alongside the other great European brush makers.

Getting the best deal on Raphaël comes down to a few things. First, compare prices before you buy. Kolinsky sable brushes are expensive, and the price of the same brush and size can vary significantly between retailers, so our comparison above checks Cass Art, Jackson’s, Amazon and others in real time. Second, buy the sizes you’ll actually use. A single good-quality mid-size round, such as a size 6 or 8, will do most of the work in a watercolour painting, so it often makes more sense to buy one excellent brush than a whole set. Third, consider the synthetics. If a Kolinsky sable is out of budget, ranges like Precision, Stradivarius and Kaërell give you Raphaël craftsmanship at a fraction of the price. And finally, watch for sales. Raphaël brushes are regularly included in UK retailer promotions, and Black Friday is often the best time to pick up a sable brush for less.

A few questions come up again and again. Are Raphaël brushes worth the money? For serious painters, yes. They’re handmade in France to a very high standard, and a well-cared-for sable brush can last for many years. What is the Raphaël 8404? It’s Raphaël’s classic Kolinsky sable watercolour round, one of the most respected watercolour brushes in the world. Does Raphaël make synthetic brushes? Yes. Softaqua, Precision, Kaërell and Stradivarius are all synthetic ranges. Where are Raphaël brushes made? They’re handmade in France, at Saint-Brieuc in Brittany, by a family business that has owned Raphaël since 1859.

After more than two hundred years, Raphaël is still one of the finest names in brushes, and a Raphaël sable is a brush to treasure. Looking for a Raphaël sale, discount or discount code? Check the price comparisons above, updated in real time, and you’ll always know you’re getting the best current UK price.