💧 SoftAqua Round Size 6

Best for: Washes, backgrounds, and fluid transitions

This is your workhorse brush for travel watercolour. The SoftAqua synthetic fibres mimic natural squirrel hair, holding generous amounts of water and pigment. Perfect for laying down broad washes, creating atmospheric skies, or building up colour gradually. The round shape with a good point means you can also handle medium details when needed.

• Hair length: ~12mm
• Belly diameter: ~2.7mm
• Ideal media: Watercolour, gouache, ink

🎯 SoftAqua Mop Size 000

Best for: Spot washes, broad strokes, and expressive marks

The mop shape delivers maximum water capacity in a compact form. This brush excels at creating beautiful, flowing washes and organic colour spreads. Despite the tiny "000" designation, the mop belly holds surprising amounts of pigment. Fantastic for loose, gestural painting and for covering decent-sized areas quickly.

• Hair length: ~20mm
• Belly diameter: ~0.8mm (tapers to fine point)
• Ideal media: Watercolour, gouache, ink

✏️ Precision Round Size 0

Best for: Ultra-fine lines, details, and micro-corrections

When you need surgical precision, this is your brush. The Precision Fiber synthetic bristles have exceptional "snap" — they spring back to a perfect point every time. Ideal for botanical illustration, architectural details, portrait features, or any work requiring crisp, controlled lines. The fine tip doesn't sacrifice on spring or control.

• Hair length: ~7mm
• Tip diameter: ~1.0mm
• Ideal media: Watercolour, diluted acrylic, ink

🖌️ Precision Round Size 5

Best for: Details, contours, and controlled strokes

The larger Precision brush bridges the gap between fine detail and general painting. It's perfect for portrait work, comic illustration, or urban sketching where you need both detail and efficiency. The slightly larger belly holds more paint than Size 0 while maintaining that characteristic sharp point and excellent spring-back.

• Hair length: ~10mm
• Belly diameter: ~2.0mm
• Ideal media: Watercolour, diluted acrylic, ink

🔒 Protected Bristles

The metal cap completely encloses the bristles when travelling. Throw it in your bag, your pocket, or your painting kit without worry. No crushed tips, no bent bristles, no damage.

📏 Extends to Full Length

When you paint, the cap screws onto the back of the handle, giving you a full 16-17cm working length. This means proper brush control, not the cramped feel of typical travel brushes.

💪 Professional Quality

These aren't "travel grade" compromises. You're getting the same quality fibres that Raphaël uses in their studio brushes, just in a portable format.

🎒 Lightweight & Compact

Each brush weighs almost nothing and takes up minimal space. Build your perfect portable set without adding bulk to your kit.

✅ After Each Painting Session

1. Rinse immediately in lukewarm water until water runs clear
2. Use gentle soap — Marseille soap or synthetic brush cleaner
3. Reshape the bristles gently with your fingers
4. Let dry completely — bristles down or horizontally
5. Only cap when bone dry — moisture trapped inside causes damage

⚠️ Critical Don'ts

• Never store wet in the cap — this is the #1 way to damage travel brushes
• Don't submerge the ferrule — water weakens the adhesive bond
• Avoid hot water — damages synthetic fibres
• No harsh chemicals — strips the protective coating

Are these really as good as regular studio brushes?

Yes. The only difference is the protective cap mechanism. The bristle quality, spring, and paint handling are identical to Raphaël's studio range. Many artists who try these end up using them in the studio too because they're just that good.

Will the cap get loose over time?

Not with normal use. The metal threading is well-engineered and durable. Don't overtighten when closing, and the mechanism will last for years. If you notice any loosening after extensive use, a tiny drop of clear nail polish on the threads (when dry) can restore the grip.

Can I use these with fountain pen ink or India ink?

Yes, with care. Both SoftAqua and Precision fibres work beautifully with inks. The key is to clean immediately after use — don't let ink dry in the bristles, especially India ink which can be difficult to remove once set.

Which brush should I buy first?

For most people, SoftAqua Round Size 6 is the best starting point. It's the most versatile, handling both washes and reasonable detail. If you paint very loosely, start with the Mop 000. If you focus on detailed work, go for Precision Round 5.

Do the synthetic bristles last as long as natural hair?

Longer, actually. Quality synthetics don't shed, don't get eaten by moths, and maintain their shape better over time. Natural hair can be unpredictable — some brushes last decades, others lose their point after a year. These synthetics give you consistent, reliable performance throughout their lifespan.

I've had cheap travel brushes before that were useless. Are these different?

Completely different. Budget travel brushes often use poor-quality synthetics that don't hold water, lose their point, and feel scratchy. Raphaël uses their professional-grade fibres — the same ones in their £15-30 studio brushes — so you get genuine quality, not a compromise.