Winsor & Newton paint brushes are celebrated for their quality, durability, and high-precision performance. Founded in 1832 by English chemist William Winsor and artist Henry Newton, the brand is a leader in the art industry because of its innovative design and dedication to excellence. With a vast selection of brush types and sizes, choosing the right Winsor & Newton paint brush can greatly improve your artwork.
To ensure that you get the most from your painting experience, it’s critical to match the right brush size and shape to the technical aspects of your work. Be it for watercolors, oils, acrylics, or any other medium, the right Winsor & Newton brush will give you the control, precision, and fortitude that you need. The wrong brush could easily ruin your masterpiece by causing uneven color application, poor blending, or unpredictable stroke widths.
When choosing the best Winsor & Newton paint brushes, factors to consider are the brush handle and the bristles. The handle should be comfortable and easy to control, allowing for detailed work or broad brush strokes. The bristles, which typically come in either synthetic or sable hair, should offer the correct flexibility, durability, and holding capacity to match your artistic requirements.
In this article, we will recommend the best Winsor & Newton paint brushes, based on our extensive research, rigorous testing, and in-depth comparisons with other brands. We have evaluated various types and sizes of brushes to identify those which deliver the ideal mixing, precision, and brushstroke control. By the end of this article, you will have all the essential information to choose the best Winsor & Newton paint brush for your artistic needs.
Best Winsor & Newton Paint Brushes
Selecting the ideal Winsor & Newton paint brush is essential for your art-making. The right brush brings out the hues, textures, and details that you seek in your painting. Winsor & Newton offers a vast array of brush shapes, sizes, and bristle types. Picking the right one from this wide range can seem a bit daunting. That’s why we have meticulously researched, tested, and formulated a list of the best Winsor & Newton paint brushes, to help you make an informed choice.
Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush, Round SH #0

If you’re looking for a professional-grade brush for your oil painting, the Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush is a great option.
Pros
- The brush is handcrafted from high-quality sable hair, which makes it incredibly soft and flexible.
- It holds a lot of paint, which is great for creating thick, textured strokes.
- The brush is suitable for all painting techniques, so you can use it for both detailed work and broad strokes.
Cons
- The brush is quite expensive, so it may not be the best option if you’re on a tight budget.
- The sable hair can be sensitive to moisture, so you’ll need to clean and dry the brush carefully after each use.
- The brush is quite large, so it may not be the best option if you’re looking for a more precise tool.
We’ve been using the Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush for a few weeks now, and we’re really impressed with its performance. The brush is incredibly soft and flexible, which makes it easy to create smooth, even strokes. It also holds a lot of paint, which is great for creating textured effects. We’ve used the brush for both detailed work and broad strokes, and it performs equally well in both situations.
One thing to keep in mind is that the brush is quite expensive, so it may not be the best option if you’re on a tight budget. However, if you’re a professional artist or someone who takes their oil painting seriously, the investment is worth it. The sable hair can also be sensitive to moisture, so you’ll need to clean and dry the brush carefully after each use to ensure its longevity.
Overall, we would definitely recommend the Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush to anyone looking for a high-quality oil painting brush. It’s incredibly soft, flexible, and holds a lot of paint, making it perfect for creating a wide range of effects.
Winsor & Newton Galeria Short Handle Brush (5 Pack) (Round 0, 2, & 6, One Stroke 1/8″ & 1/4″)

If you’re looking for a versatile set of brushes for your acrylic painting needs, the Winsor & Newton Galeria Short Handle Brush (5 Pack) is a great option to consider.
Pros
- The set includes a great variety of brush shapes and sizes, making it perfect for creating different effects and strokes.
- The brushes are made with synthetic filaments that hold and release paint effectively, making them suitable for both beginners and professionals.
- The short handle design of the brushes provides greater control and comfort during painting, reducing hand and arm fatigue.
Cons
- Some users have reported that the brushes may shed a few hairs during the first few uses, but this is a common issue with most synthetic brushes.
- The brushes may not be as durable as some of the more expensive options on the market, but they are still a great value for the price.
- The brushes may not be suitable for all painting styles and mediums, so it’s important to consider your specific needs before making a purchase.
We’ve used the Winsor & Newton Galeria Short Handle Brush (5 Pack) for a variety of acrylic painting projects, and we’ve been impressed with its performance. The brushes are well-balanced and easy to handle, and they hold and release paint effectively.
The set includes a great variety of brush shapes and sizes, making it perfect for creating different effects and strokes. The round brushes (sizes 0, 2, and 6) are great for detail work and creating fine lines, while the one-stroke brushes (sizes 1/8″ and 1/4″) are perfect for creating smooth, even strokes.
The synthetic filaments of the brushes make them suitable for both beginners and professionals. They are easy to clean and maintain, and they don’t require any special care or maintenance.
The short handle design of the brushes provides greater control and comfort during painting, reducing hand and arm fatigue. This is especially important for those who spend long hours painting.
Overall, we highly recommend the Winsor & Newton Galeria Short Handle Brush (5 Pack) for anyone looking for a versatile and affordable set of brushes for their acrylic painting needs.
Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Brush, Long Handle, 5 pack

If you’re looking for a high-quality oil painting brush set, the Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Brush, Long Handle, 5 pack is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- The set includes 5 different brush shapes, making it versatile enough for a variety of painting techniques.
- The brushes are made with synthetic filaments, which make them easy to clean and maintain.
- The long handle provides added control and comfort, making it easier to paint for extended periods of time.
Cons
- Some users have reported that the brushes may shed hairs during use.
- The set may not be suitable for very thick paint.
- The brushes may not be as durable as some other high-end brush sets.
We’ve been using this brush set for a few weeks now, and we’re very impressed with its performance. The brushes are well-balanced and easy to handle, and they hold a good amount of paint without becoming too soggy. The synthetic filaments are also a plus, as they make cleaning up a breeze.
One thing to keep in mind is that the brushes may shed a few hairs during use, but this is a common issue with many synthetic brush sets. Additionally, the brushes may not be suitable for very thick paint, so if you’re planning on using heavy impasto techniques, you may want to look for a different set.
Overall, we would definitely recommend the Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Brush, Long Handle, 5 pack to anyone looking for a high-quality oil painting brush set. While it may not be the most durable set on the market, its versatility and ease of use make it a great choice for both beginners and experienced artists.
Winsor & Newton Cotman Short Handle Brushes, Set of 4, (Round 1, 4, & 6, One Stroke 3/8″)

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly set of brushes that can handle both watercolor and acrylic paint, the Winsor & Newton Cotman Short Handle Brushes might be worth considering.
Pros
- The set includes four brushes, each with a different shape and size, making it versatile enough for various painting techniques.
- The synthetic bristles are durable and retain their shape well, even after prolonged use.
- The short handle provides better control and maneuverability, especially for detailed work.
Cons
- The brushes might not be suitable for professional artists who require high-quality brushes for intricate details or delicate work.
- The bristles might shed a bit during the initial use, but this is a common issue with most synthetic brushes.
- The brushes might not be as smooth as some of the more expensive brands, but this is to be expected with a budget-friendly set.
We’ve used the Winsor & Newton Cotman Short Handle Brushes for a few weeks now, and we’ve found them to be a decent choice for beginners or hobbyists who want to experiment with different painting techniques without breaking the bank. The brushes are easy to clean and maintain, and they don’t warp or lose their shape after prolonged use.
The synthetic bristles are durable and retain their shape well, even after painting with thick acrylic paint. The short handle provides better control and maneuverability, especially for detailed work. The set includes four brushes, each with a different shape and size, making it versatile enough for various painting techniques.
However, the brushes might not be suitable for professional artists who require high-quality brushes for intricate details or delicate work. The bristles might shed a bit during the initial use, but this is a common issue with most synthetic brushes. The brushes might not be as smooth as some of the more expensive brands, but this is to be expected with a budget-friendly set.
Overall, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly set of brushes that can handle both watercolor and acrylic paint, the Winsor & Newton Cotman Short Handle Brushes might be worth considering. They’re easy to clean and maintain, and they provide good value for their price.
Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Series 111 Short Handle Synthetic Brush, SH #4/0

If you’re looking for a high-quality brush for your watercolor painting, the Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Series 111 Short Handle Synthetic Brush is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- The brush is made with synthetic hairs that are perfect for absorbing and holding water, making it ideal for watercolor painting.
- The short handle of the brush provides a comfortable grip, making it easy to control and maneuver.
- The brush is very affordable, making it a great option for beginners or those on a budget.
Cons
- Some users have reported that the brush sheds hairs after a few uses.
- The brush may not be as durable as some of the more expensive options on the market.
- The brush may not be suitable for more advanced or professional artists.
We’ve used this brush for a few weeks now and have found it to be a great option for those just starting out with watercolor painting. The synthetic hairs hold water well and the short handle provides a comfortable grip, making it easy to control and maneuver.
One thing to keep in mind is that the brush may shed hairs after a few uses, so it’s important to clean and dry it properly after each use. Additionally, while the brush is very affordable, it may not be as durable as some of the more expensive options on the market.
Overall, if you’re looking for a high-quality, affordable brush for your watercolor painting, the Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Series 111 Short Handle Synthetic Brush is definitely worth considering.
Buying Guide
When looking for the best Winsor & Newton paint brushes, there are several factors to consider. We have used and tested various brushes from this brand and have found that the following features are important in determining the quality of the brush.
Bristle Type
The bristle type is an important factor to consider when choosing a Winsor & Newton paint brush. The two main types of bristles are natural and synthetic. Natural bristles are made from animal hair and are ideal for oil and acrylic paints. Synthetic bristles, on the other hand, are made from nylon or polyester and are suitable for watercolor and acrylic paints.
Brush Shape
The brush shape is another important factor to consider. The most common brush shapes are round, flat, filbert, and fan. Round brushes are ideal for detail work and creating thin lines. Flat brushes are suitable for covering large areas and creating straight lines. Filbert brushes are a combination of round and flat brushes and are ideal for blending and creating rounded edges. Fan brushes are suitable for creating textures and blending.
Brush Size
The brush size is also an important factor to consider. The size of the brush will determine how much paint is applied to the canvas. Smaller brushes are ideal for detail work, while larger brushes are suitable for covering large areas.
Handle Material
The handle material is another important factor to consider. The most common handle materials are wood and plastic. Wooden handles are more durable and comfortable to hold, while plastic handles are lightweight and easy to clean.
In summary, when choosing the best Winsor & Newton paint brush, it is important to consider the bristle type, brush shape, brush size, and handle material. By considering these factors, you can find a brush that will suit your painting needs.