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.
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 blocksÂ
- 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.Â
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
- Masters Brush Cleaner & Preserver 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.Â
