Comments about Winsor & Newton Monarch Mongoose Brushes:

I love these brushes for oil painting whether for fine detail; blending; or glazing. They are very responsive and wear like iron. Much better than any sable I have used in 50-yrs of experience. Easy to clean: pre-treat with a bit of oil and the paint just wipes out without using turp. then simply clean with a good soap & water. I have recommended these brushes to many very grateful artist friends who all rave about these brushes!

Comments about Winsor & Newton Monarch Mongoose Filbert Series 5504 and 5505:

I paint with black sable brushes exclusively and have tried them all. The sad truth about black/red sable is that as great the brushes are they just dont last a long time. In fact I found that the monarch actually lasts longer then my previous favorite the DaVinci black sable. My only complaint with the Monarch is that sometimes the tip of the brush will curl making it useless long before I might ordinarily throw it out.
Preference in brushes is highly subjective, choosing a brush is like choosing a sports car, some will "feel" right for you and some wont. If you're a tactile painter, who likes to feel the surface you're painting on, try this brush.

Comments about Winsor & Newton Monarch Mongoose Filbert Series 5504 and 5505:

I used this brush for oil painting. It was extremely difficult to clean. The oil paint just seemed to stick on the bristles and took numerous rounds using 3 different cleaners to get the paint out.

Comments about Winsor & Newton Monarch Mongoose Brushes:

I use a smooth gesso finished hardboard panel for oil, and I've found the #14 flat to be terrific until I get to the final detail stages. It lays the paint down sharp or soft depending on how you use it, blends beautifully, but isn't soft or spongy. Be forewarned however; I ordered a flat and it's almost as short as a bright. The brights must be quite stubby.

Comments about Winsor & Newton Monarch Mongoose Brushes:

I received the above brushes and used them the next day. They are fine brushes for oil painting and I may get a few more. It's a bristle that's firm but not stiff.

Comments about Winsor & Newton Monarch Mongoose Brushes:

This brand of brush holds up well in oil painting.

Comments about Winsor & Newton Monarch Mongoose Brushes:

I find windsor and newton products are always very reliable and top quality. The mongoose brushes work very well with both acrylic and oil paints and do not "limp" out on me while I am working on a painting.

Comments about Winsor & Newton Monarch Mongoose Brushes:

The Monarch filberts that I purchased to use with traditional oil paints did not last long at all. I'm easy on my brushes and wash them well after use. However, these Monarchs started losing their shape and noticeably wearing down within only a few months of light use. All the hairs would splay out to the sides making them look like some kind of mop brush rather than flat like proper filberts. Would never purchase again. The only Monarch brush I use now is a fan brush for blending only.

Comments about Winsor & Newton Monarch Mongoose Brushes:

I like these springy brushes for the softer oils like Rembrandt and Classico. Softer than bristle but harder than sable ~ great for soft blending and paint application. Brush strokes show!

Comments about Winsor & Newton Monarch Mongoose Brushes:

The bristles of the brush are amazing and unique. They are stiffer than other mongoose. They make sharp marks. However, the wood is very easy to break.