Why are sable paintbrushes so expensive?
As with any natural hair, sable hair needs to be sourced. The process of collecting the hairs can be very labour intensive and even then, there is a careful selection to make sure that only the finest hairs are used.
Sable is highly renowned for its ability to remain soft and flexible, while still retaining a spring- a characteristic that cannot be matched by any other hair. Because of this, they are able to hold a significant amount of colour and release it evenly on the pad without leaving any brush marks, perfect for watercolour and gouache painting. The characteristic of the hair also gives the brush the perfect shape- a wide belly for colour holding, and a sharp tip that gives the brush a fine point for detailed painting. This video reviews and shows the difference between real paintings using sable and synthetic brushes.
In order to manufacture sable brushes to the highest standard, Pro Arte brush makers must go through rigorous training for years before moving on to sable brushes. Each brush is then handmade, shaped and cut to size, a meticulous procedure that takes significantly longer than any other brush. This high level of craftsmanship ensures that the brushes are perfect and uniform, maintaining their performance over time