# HOLBEIN Hake Brush - Various Sizes

## Made traditionally, in Japan

These wooden handled hake brushes offer exceptional quality and control. Manufactured from soft goat hair, and shaped in a wide flat profile, they deliver smooth, even coverage. Ideal for washes, backgrounds and expressive strokes, across a range of mediums. Our #2 selling brush.

## What sets it apart

-   Holds generous water without dumping it uncontrollably
-   Wide, flat profile distributes water and pigment evenly without streaking
-   Perfect for large areas, skies, backgrounds, and tonal blocks 
-   Responsive edge control, surprisingly precise for a broad brush when used on its side
-   Traditional wooden handle with secure stitching for long-term use

### Feel in the hand

A hake brush isn’t about detail, it’s about flow. It teaches you to let the brush carry water naturally, and let your work open up. Forces a focus on big shapes, for a looser style. This is one of those tools that changes how you approach a page. 

### Who it’s for

-   Watercolour artists pre-wetting paper and working on washes
-   Urban sketchers who want faster coverage on location
-   Fountain pen users pairing ink washes with line work
-   Beginners who struggle with streaky, uneven washes
-   Calligraphers and sumi ink painters
-   Mixed media artists using gesso, lacquer or adhesives

### Not for

-   Artists painting details, sharp lines or precision edges
-   Those wanting a single brush for everything
-   Dry media users (this is built for water-heavy techniques)
-   Heavy body acrylics, oils, or paints used straight from the tube

### Practical tips

-   Fully wet the brush before loading pigment to avoid dry streaks
-   Use light pressure, let the width of the brush do the work
-   Turn the brush sideways for narrower strokes and edges
-   Avoid harsh cleaners or soaking the handle (to preserve stitching)

### FAQs

**Why goat hair?**  
It's a soft fibre that absorbs and leaves no harsh edges. Think water delivery rather than a drawing tool.

**Can it be used with fountain pen ink?**  
Yes, use with dyes for soft, flowing washes. You can also use to layer waterproof inks, but the ink will permanently stain the fibres.

**Can I use it for acrylic or oils?**  
Yes for acrylics, but don't then switch back to watercolour. No for oils as the fibre is too soft and hard to clean properly.

**Does it shed?**  
Yes, a little at first, but far less than cheaper versions.

**Is it worth the price versus cheap hakes?**  
Yes, if you care about even washes. Cheap hakes often produce streaky results.

### Build your practice

-   [Arches Watercolour paper Cold Press A4 pad](https://www.larrypost.com.au/products/arches-watercolour-pad-cold-pressed-medium-300g-12-sheets-a4?_pos=4&_sid=84eff7851&_ss=r)
-   [Masters Brush Cleaner & Preserver](https://www.larrypost.com.au/products/general-pencil-co-the-masters-brush-cleaner-and-preserver-74-7g?_pos=1&_sid=cb3dec84b&_ss=r) to clean and keep the hair soft
-   Palette with adequate mixing space
-   Detail brushes for finer work
-   Use with Quinacridone pigments, known for super smooth, yet luminous washes

Holbein hakes combine tradition with performance, to deliver consistent results every time. An essential tool for every artist.

## Details

- **Price:** 27.95 AUD - 59.95 AUD
- **Vendor:** HOLBEIN
- **Type:** Hake Brush
- **Tags:** Category_LarryPOST, Category_LarryPOST/Art Supplies, Category_LarryPOST/Art Supplies/Paint Brushes, Category_LarryPOST/Art Supplies/Paint Brushes/Hake Brush, Category_LarryPOST/Brands, Category_LarryPOST/Brands/HOLBEIN, Category_LarryPOST/Brands/HOLBEIN/Brushes, Category_LarryPOST/Interests/Urban Sketching

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| 1" | 27.95 AUD | In stock |
| 1.5" | 32.95 AUD | In stock |
| 2" | 36.95 AUD | In stock |
| 2.5" | 39.95 AUD | In stock |
| 3.5" | 59.95 AUD | In stock |

## Images

- HOLBEIN Hake Brush - Various Sizes
- HOLBEIN Hake Brush - Various Sizes
- HOLBEIN Hake Brush - Various Sizes
- HOLBEIN Hake Brush - Various Sizes
- HOLBEIN Hake Brush - Various Sizes
- HOLBEIN Hake Brush - Various Sizes

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> Source: [LarryPOST](https://www.larrypost.com.au/products/holbein-hake-brush-various-sizes)
> Updated: 2026-08-25