Kolinsky sable has been a favorite of watercolor artists for many generations; it's a type of animal hair that's renowned for its elasticity and precise shape memory. But today, two intersecting trends have made natural Kolinsky quite rare: first, the import of natural Kolinky has been highly regulated for environmental protection reasons. Second, the synthetic alternatives to kolinsky have improved dramatically in the past two decades, making the genuine hair unnecessary for most artists.

"Il Perfetto" is the synthetic kolinsky brush from Borciani e Bonazzi, a multigenerational Italian brushmaker that is gradually making the switch to synthetic fibers. These perfect synthetic replacements for kolinsky are a challenge to every watercolorist — are those frizzy, temperamental sable hairs still the gold standard?

We'd argue that a high-quality synthetic, like Il Perfetto, is a superior choice for most people. Look closely and you'll see that this synthetic mimics the texture and varied diameter of natural kolinsky. It holds a point just as well (better, in fact, unless you are using *really* expensive kolinsky brushes.) It washes better and lasts longer than natural hair. And there are no animal products involved in its production.

This starter set of Il Perfetto short-handled watercolor brushes includes four versatile shapes, all with matte, tumble-washed blue handles. You'll get two rounds (one small, one medium), one long liner, and one small flat. It's a perfect assortment for anyone painting on paper less than 9" x 12".

The Il Perfetto starter set comes in a triangular paper box that doubles as a brush rest.

Made in Italy.

About Borciani e Bonazzi

Since 1951, Borciani e Bonazzi has made the finest quality artist brushes in northern Italy. Each BeB brush is still individually hand-crafted in Casalmaggiore, with the inherited skill of generations of brushmakers. Today, the artisans at Borciani e Bonazzi are able to use much more advanced materials, and they can make shapes that didn't exist in 1951. But they have never abandoned the irreplaceable process of hand-shaping the brush tip.