Raphaël

Raphaël is a French manufacturer of artists’ brushes with a history dating back to 1793. Production was established in Paris near the Pont Neuf and has developed over more than two centuries through a combination of traditional brush-making craftsmanship, knowledge of materials and product development. Today, Raphaël is a well-known name among artists and offers brushes for watercolour, acrylic, oil, gouache and other painting techniques.

Raphaël produces artists’ brushes for a wide variety of techniques and ways of painting. The range includes everything from very fine brushes for details and precise lines to larger brushes for broad strokes, washes and large areas of colour. Different shapes, sizes and types of hair and fibres make it possible to choose a brush according to the paint, technique and effect you want to create.

For watercolour painting, Raphaël offers watercolour brushes with an excellent capacity for holding water and colour while maintaining a point that provides good control over each brushstroke. The range includes classic round watercolour brushes for details and lines as well as larger models for washes and generous areas of colour. There are brushes made with both natural hair and synthetic fibres, as well as modern synthetic alternatives developed to replicate the characteristics of traditional natural-hair brushes.

Raphaël also offers a wide range of brushes for acrylic and oil painting. These techniques place different demands on a brush’s spring, strength and ability to handle paints with a higher viscosity. The range therefore includes both softer and firmer brushes as well as round, flat and other shapes for everything from details and thin layers to stronger brushstrokes and impasto techniques.

Raphaël brushes are backed by a long tradition of French manufacturing. In 1859, the business was taken over by Charles Sauer, who moved production to Oinville outside Paris. Knowledge of brush making was then passed down through generations of the Sauer family. The combination of traditional expertise, innovation and development remains a central part of the brand today.

Choosing the right artist’s brush depends both on the paint you use and how you want to work. With Raphaël’s wide range of brush shapes, sizes and materials, there are options for everything from precise details to large areas of colour and for both beginners and experienced artists.

At Pen Store, you’ll find a wide range of Raphaël brushes for different painting techniques. Explore Raphael watercolour brushes, acrylic brushes, oil brushes and artists’ brushes in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials – and find the right brush for your painting.