Brushes With Sabeline Hair Bristles

Sabeline hair comes from the ear hair of Oxen which are native to Northern Russian and Northern China. The hair is died to either a reddish or yellowish colors. Historically, Sabeline hair was sold as inexpensive Sable hair, and sometimes also as Red Sable hair. Sabeline is a good “go-to” brush for dry brush and for washes and fills. It does not have a tapered tip so is not great for detailed work. Sabeline hair diameter is larger than goat hair, but Sabeline has a great affinity for holding paint media plus a very smooth delivery. Sabeline makes a high quality long hair brush and that means it’s also excellent for organic lines and curves.

Sabeline brushes are ideal for water based inks and paints. They are also good for solvent based paints and inks, but remember that solvents will shorten the life of any natural hair.

My Sabeline bristles are made from what is known as double dressed Sabeline hair. Dressing is the process of cleaning the bristle material. The process in this case includes washing, combing out so that hair length is uniform and no other debris are in the hair. Double dressing repeats this process with an end result of extreme high quality hair. After this the hair is died a reddish color. There is no finer quality Sabeline available.

The hair diameter is larger than many other brush types, and due to this they tend to be very durable.

Sabeline is very popular with artists who like a brush that is not tapered at the tip and on the springy side.

I offer Sabeline brushes in bristle lengths of 1″, 1.5″ and 2″.  The first row shows the 1″ bristle length brushes, the 2nd row shows the 1.5″ brushes and so on. Click on the image for more information.

1” Long Bristle Sabeline Hair Brushes

The 1 inch long bristle is favored by artists who like more controllable brush, and people who use aqueous acrylics and inks. They are good for general applications, dry brush and for expressive work. The inch long bristle is favored by many because they are a classic painter’s brush that works for general applications and expressive work. While Sabeline hair is a little on the course side, it has a very uniform media delivery and is easy to use.

1.5″ Long Bristle Sabeline Hair Brushes

The 1.5 inch long bristle is favored by artists who like a more expressive brush, ceramic artists, and artists who use aqueous acrylics and inks. They are a little soft for heavy body acrylics and oils. They are good for general applications, washes, wet and dry brush work The larger hair diameter makes them a little better than most for dry brush. And of course they are good for expressive work. The length of the 1.5″ makes for a softer brush and are popular with artists who like a longer bristle. While Sabeline hair is a little on the course side, it has a very uniform media delivery and is easy to use.

2” Long Bristle Sabeline Hair Brushes

The 2 inch long bristle is favored by artists who like a more expressive brush, ceramic artists, artists who use aqueous acrylics and inks. They are a little soft for heavy body acrylics and oils. They are good for general applications, washes, wet and dry brush work The larger hair diameter makes them a little better than most for dry brush. And of course with the 2″ bristle, they are really good for expressive work. While Sabeline hair is a little on the course side, it has a very uniform media delivery and is easy to use.