Da Vinci's "Maestro" designation is reserved for brushes manufactured using male winter Siberian Kolinsky Red Sable fur. These are top-of-the-line, high quality brushes.
The extra sharp needle-like point and longer tapered hair length result in faster action at the tip and the tightest snap at the point. Expect superior spring and control, plus unsurpassed water-carrying performance.
All brushes have plated brass, seamless ferrules. Brush hairs are glued into the ferrule by a dosing machine. Then the ferrule is filled with a modern component-glue. After the drying and curing process, all the hairs are firmly positioned. Da Vinci uses only nickel- and gold-plated brass ferrules, which are rust resistant.
Before leaving the factory, each brush is carefully checked to make sure the finishing of the brush-head is impeccable and the ferrule is firmly attached to the handle. Carefully packaged, it will begin its journey, perhaps over mountains and oceans, to one of Da Vinci's loyal customers making art in the wide, wide world.
For three generations, Da Vinci has created the highest quality artist and specialty brushes. 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 finest raw materials available, skilled brushmakers draw on both centuries-old wisdom and input from contemporary professional artists. Utilizing the latest technical innovations, they create brushes of unsurpassed beauty, quality, and endurance.
Hans-Friedrich Defet was well-educated in the traditions of brushmaking, learning from both his grandfather and father the history of brushmaking in Nuremberg, Germany. Until the end of the 17th century, each artist had to make his own painting tools. During the 18th century, an ambitious crafts guild started to master the art of brush binding, relieving the artist of this burden. As this guild increased its expertise through experience and experimentation, the young trade was soon booming in the commercial town of Nuremberg. The city soon gained a worldwide reputation for brushmaking.
Series 5506, Retouch — A retouch brush is a pointed round kolinsky that has a shorter tip than a standard kolinsky sable round.
Note — Brush sizes are not standardized. The length and width of a brush of a given shape and size varies considerably by manufacturer. Since fine art brushes are handmade, expect some variation even among brushes from a given manufacturer.
Items marked with this logo ship directly from factory, so free shipping offers do not apply.
Additional shipping will be added to your invoice.
Comments about Da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Liner Brushes Series 1200K:
When I received this brush the hairs were bent and sticking out, even though it was in a plastic protector. I ordered the smallest size because I needed it for miniature work, but it is unuseable. I even tried gently ironing the hairs to straighten them and it didn't help at all.
Maybe the larger sizes are better quality, but the 10/0 was awful.
This product’s quality compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Unusable
The price of this product compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Overpriced
7/3/2012
Â
5.0
Da Vinci Travel Brushes
By CB
from Ottawa, Canada
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Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Da Vinci Maestro Travel Brush:
I am very pleased with the Da Vinci travel brushes. I bought one Maestro Sable and 2 Cosmotop synthetic brushes. The Sable is obviously excellent but I am also very happy with the less expensive Cosmotop. The travel brushes lightens my travel kit by removing the need for a brush wallet.
This product’s quality compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Really nice
The price of this product compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
A solid value
5/9/2012
(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
Â
5.0
i would buy this product again and again
By quang
from canada
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Best Uses
Comments about Da Vinci Brushes Da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Sable Round Series 10:
i am using the product for nail art and they are fantastic brush
This product’s quality compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Really nice
The price of this product compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Average
3/19/2012
Â
4.0
Will buy this product again
By Janet
from Newton, NJ
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Best Uses
Comments about Da Vinci Brushes Da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Sable Round Series 10:
This is an excellent watercolor brush. It keeps its point and is soft, but not too soft and limp; it easily picks up tube watercolor paint. It is easy to control and does not pick up previous washes.
This product’s quality compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Really nice
The price of this product compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
A solid value
9/8/2011
(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
Â
4.0
Brushes offer great control
By minicannuck
from St. Catharines, Ontario (Canada)
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Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Brushes "The Miniaturist" Series 1505:
These brushes are a step up from the brushes you get from the minature gaming companies. The sable keeps a point and has superior capilary action which will help you have better control of where you want to put your paint. The size selection is fantastic and allows for easier applications of such minute details as eyes or tatooing.
Top this all off with great customer service from the company, I will definitely use this company again.
This product’s quality compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Best in its category
The price of this product compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
A solid value
8/21/2011
(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
Â
5.0
really nice,worth the money
By JEWlian3
from vegas
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Best Uses
Comments about Da Vinci Maestro Travel Brush:
let me say this first.if your debating on spending the money on these,think of it this way. you will have a great pair of brushes that will last a long time and you also get the option to take a nice pair of brushes traveling.i use these for water color and they are great. they keep their shape and the tips are sharp. the casing is nice,the little hole in it is nice if you cant wait for the brushes to dry and you have to just put them away. these are built very well. two things though,just be a bit careful putting the brushes away because its a tight fit and you dont want to bend any hairs. also the sizes were smaller than i thought,the pictures made them seem a bit bigger. i bought a 1 and a 3,but i wanted small. the 3 was just a bit smaller than i expected. other than that,worth the money and i will be buying more sizes.
This product’s quality compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Best in its category
The price of this product compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Average
7/11/2011
(3 of 6 customers found this review helpful)
Â
1.0
Poor Quality (or lemons)
By cpainter
from MD
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Best Uses
Comments about Da Vinci Brushes Da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Sable Round Series 10:
I ordered a size 14 and a size 8. I expected really high quality brushes, given the other enthusiastic reviews. The size 8 hairs are splaying everywhere, and I haven't even used it yet! I've seen better-looking craft brushes in a craft store. It's totally unacceptable. The size 14 was acceptable at first blush, but after stroking it on the back of my hand a few times, a few hairs started curling up. The 14 holds a chisel edge fairly well, but it's not able to perform to my standards. I don't know if I just got lemons amongst generally good brushes, but I'm returning both of them.
This product’s quality compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Unusable
The price of this product compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
A total rip-off
5/19/2011
(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
Â
5.0
WOW! This is a GREAT brush!
By Anne-Marie
from Chicago
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Best Uses
Comments about Da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Sable Round Series 10:
Wow! I took a chance and ordered a 14 full-belly round. Not cheap, and I was a bit worried because I have ordered other so-called Kolinsky brushes that just haven't been worth it. This one is definitely the Real Deal. Like another reviewer said, the point dances on the paper! Has a wonderful feel, weighted just so in the hand, and it's so responsive yet easy to control.
I was influenced by the reviewer who said that they have spent money on having the best paper but overlooked having the best brush and that they wished they had made the investment years ago. The fact is, there is a HUGE difference between this brush and synthetics, synthetic blends, and lesser Kolinskis. I'm so glad I treated myself to this, and hope to one day be able to buy even bigger versions of this fine brush.
This product’s quality compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Best in its category
The price of this product compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
A solid value
5/9/2011
(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
Â
5.0
Fantastic travel brushes!!
By Mitch
from Dallas
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Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Da Vinci Maestro Travel Brush:
I have the "Maestro Kolinsky" Travel Brush (size 1 and size 5). I use them with watercolor. They are very well made, and have taken an awful beating in my bag without showing any real damage. They have a tiny hole in the case so they can dry out if you must put them away wet. They keep a nice point. Great brushes.
This product’s quality compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Best in its category
The price of this product compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
A solid value
3/10/2011
(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)
Â
5.0
Perfect - doesn't get any better
By ziggurat
from San Diego, CA
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Da Vinci Maestro Travel Brush:
got #6 after having #10 & #4 hold up so well for years; great snap; perfect package with drying air vent
This product’s quality compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Best in its category
The price of this product compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:
Merchant response: Blick attempts to send out every order free from defect or damage. However, these types of issues do arise occasionally. We apologize for this. Customers who receive damaged or defective items should contact our Customer Care Center via email or by calling (800) 723-2787 and we will work with you to rectify the situation.