Best Quill Art Paintbrushes of 2026

Ann Hale Avatar
Ann Hale
Last Updated: Jan 9, 2026

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Quill Art Paintbrushes are a perfect addition to any artist's collection. These brushes are made with high-quality quill feathers that are carefully selected and crafted to ensure a smooth and precise painting experience. The brushes come in a variety of sizes and shapes, making them versatile for any painting style. The natural quill material allows for a unique texture and feel while painting, and the brushes are easy to clean and maintain. Whether you are a professional artist or a beginner, Quill Art Paintbrushes are a must-have for any art lover looking to elevate their painting game.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Andrew Mack Brown Kazan Size 8 Cover #TOP 1
Andrew Mack Brown Kazan Size 8
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Andrew Mack Brown Kazan Quill Series 179L Size 2 Cover #TOP 2
Andrew Mack Brown Kazan Quill Series 179L Size 2
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Custom Shop Set of 6 Lettering Quill Brushes Cover #TOP 3
Custom Shop Set of 6 Lettering Quill Brushes
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Quill Art Paintbrushes

#TOP 1

Andrew Mack Brown Kazan Size 8

179L-8
Gray
Andrew Mack Brown Kazan Size 8 Cover
Andrew Mack Brown Kazan Squirrel Hair Lettering Quill Series 179L Size 8

The Andrew Mack Brown Kazan Size 8 Quill Brush is a high-quality brush designed for lettering and art painting. Made with brown squirrel hair, this brush offers excellent control and precision. The attached red-lacquered handle provides a comfortable grip, allowing you to create smooth and precise strokes. The quill is specifically designed for use on smooth surfaces like glass and automotive bodies, making it ideal for sign painting or automotive detailing. Handmade in France and Germany, this brush is a reliable and durable tool for artists and professionals.

What We Like
Precise strokes
Comfortable grip
Ideal for smooth surfaces
#TOP 2

Andrew Mack Brown Kazan Quill Series 179L Size 2

179L-2
Gray
Andrew Mack Brown Kazan Quill Series 179L Size 2 Cover
Andrew Mack Brown Kazan Squirrel Hair Lettering Quill Series 179L Size 2

The Andrew Mack Kazan Quill Series 179L Size 2 is a high-quality lettering brush that is perfect for smooth surfaces like glass and automotive bodies. Made with brown squirrel-hair quill and attached with red-lacquered handles, this handmade brush from France and Germany is designed to provide precise and smooth strokes. The brown squirrel-hair quill ensures excellent paint retention and smooth application, making it ideal for lettering and intricate details. The attached red-lacquered handles offer a comfortable grip and easy control. Whether you are a professional artist or a hobbyist, the Andrew Mack Kazan Quill Size 2 will be a valuable addition to your collection, allowing you to create beautiful and precise lettering with ease.

What We Like
Precise strokes
Excellent paint retention
Comfortable grip
#TOP 3

Custom Shop Set of 6 Lettering Quill Brushes

SB-QUILL-SET
Black,nickel
Custom Shop Set of 6 Lettering Quill Brushes Cover
Custom Shop Set of 6 Lettering Quill Brushes for Sign Painting, Sizes XL, LG, MED, SM, XSM, XXSM - Brush Bristle Blend of Squirrel Taklon Hair, Professional Paint Pinstriping Striping Letter Lines Art

The Custom Shop Set of 6 Lettering Quill Brushes offers a complete set of professional lettering quill brushes for sign painting. Made with a durable anti-shedding blend of squirrel hair and talkon synthetic hair bristles, these brushes are ideal for lettering, lines, shading, outlines, details, and striping. They work in all types of mediums and have outstanding flexibility and spring back, enabling users to do large or small script lettering and letter very small signatures. These brushes are perfect for professional lettering artists and young aspiring lettering artists.

What We Like
Complete set of 6 available quill brush sizes
Premium high-performance quill brushes made with a durable anti-shedding blend of squirrel hair and talkon synthetic hair bristles
Ideal for all types of mediums and offer outstanding flexibility and spring back
#TOP 4

Mack Brush Gray Lettering Quill 6-189L

189L-6
Black
Size 6
Mack Brush Gray Lettering Quill 6-189L Cover
Mack Gray Lettering Quill Size 6-189L

The Mack Brush Lettering Quill is designed with size 6 bristles, making it perfect for detailed lettering and art projects. It features gray Talahutky hair, known for its durability and ability to work well on various surfaces, so you can trust it to handle general commercial tasks with ease. The brush comes with a sleek black lacquered handle, giving you a comfortable grip and a professional look. Handmade in France and Germany, this quill combines quality craftsmanship with reliable materials to help you achieve precise and lasting results in your lettering work.

What We Like
Durable gray Talahutky hair
Versatile for most surfaces
Comfortable black lacquered handle
Handmade craftsmanship
#TOP 5

Andrew Mack Brown Kazan Quill Series 179L Size 4

179L-4
Brown
Andrew Mack Brown Kazan Quill Series 179L Size 4 Cover
Andrew Mack Brown Kazan Squirrel Hair Lettering Quill Series 179L Size 4

The Andrew Mack Brown Kazan Quill Series 179L Size 4, also known as the Andrew Mack Quill Size 4, is a high-quality quill art paintbrush. It features a brown squirrel-hair quill and comes with attached red-lacquered handles. This quill is specifically designed for smooth surfaces such as glass and automotive bodies. With its handmade craftsmanship in France and Germany, this quill offers superior performance and precision. The brown squirrel-hair quill ensures smooth and even strokes, allowing you to create intricate lettering and designs with ease. The attached red-lacquered handles provide a comfortable grip and enhance control. Whether you're a professional artist or a hobbyist, the Andrew Mack Quill Size 4 is a versatile tool that will elevate your artwork to the next level.

What We Like
High-quality
Precision
Comfortable grip
#TOP 6

Princeton Artist Brush Neptune Watercolor Brushes

P4750Q6
Dark Wood
Size 6
Princeton Artist Brush Neptune Watercolor Brushes Cover
Princeton Neptune Quill Brush, Synthetic, Short Handle, Size 6, 1 Count

The Princeton Artist Brush Neptune Watercolor Brushes have a beautiful range of shapes including quills and mottlers with rich wood tones and sea glass aquarelle handles. They are soft, supple, and able to deliver even release of color. The synthetic quill performs like natural squirrel, holding a reservoir of water, and producing beautifully sweeping strokes with incredible precision. These brushes are more durable and affordable than squirrel brushes.

What We Like
Soft and supple with even release of color
Synthetic quill performs like natural squirrel, holding a reservoir of water
Produces beautifully sweeping strokes with incredible precision
#TOP 7

Creative Mark Harmony Blue Squirrel Quill Brush

Black
# 0 - 3 Pack
Creative Mark Harmony Blue Squirrel Quill Brush Cover
Creative Mark Harmony Blue Squirrel Quill Watercolor Brush Size # 0, Pack of 3 - Professional Watercolor Brushes for Artists

The Creative Mark Squirrel Quill is designed for artists who value precision and smooth paint application. Made from high-quality Blue Squirrel hair, this brush absorbs water and pigment well, allowing you to create fluid and controlled strokes. It comes in various sizes, so you can easily switch between broad washes and fine details, making it perfect for different painting techniques. The ergonomic wooden handle offers a comfortable grip, giving you better control during long painting sessions. Plus, its durable ferrule ensures the brush stays intact, so you can rely on it for your watercolor projects time and time again.

What We Like
High absorbency Blue Squirrel hair
Multiple versatile sizes
Ergonomic varnished wood handle
Durable copper ferrule
Large belly for color holding
#TOP 8

Raphael SoftAqua Synthetic Squirrel Brush 3/0

Raphael
25-805-000
Black
Raphael SoftAqua Synthetic Squirrel Brush 3/0 Cover
Raphael SoftAqua Synthetic Squirrel Watercolor Brush, Quill, 3/0

The Raphael Synthetic Squirrel Brush offers you a unique painting experience with its soft, synthetic bristles. This brush allows for a variety of strokes, making it perfect for detailed work or broader washes. Whether you are creating small illustrations or large masterpieces, this brush adapts to your needs. The quill design adds to its versatility, providing you with control and precision as you paint. Enjoy the convenience of a high-quality brush that enhances your artistic expression.

What We Like
Soft synthetic fibers
Versatile brush strokes
Suitable for various sizes
Quill design for precision
#TOP 9

Silver Brush Limited Atelier Quill Paintbrush 5225S-220

5225S
Golden Taklon Quill
Size - 220
Silver Brush Limited Atelier Quill Paintbrush 5225S-220 Cover
Silver Brush Limited 5225S-220 Silver Atelier Golden Taklon Quill Paintbrush for Watercolor, Oil, Acrylic, Gouache, Inks, Dyes, & Heavy Body Paints, Size 220, Short Handle

The Silver Brush Atelier Quill Brush is designed for artists working with various mediums like watercolor and acrylic. Its unique design allows it to hold a significant amount of liquid, which means you spend less time reloading your brush. The blend of natural and synthetic fibers ensures flexibility, making it perfect for both fine lines and broad strokes. You’ll appreciate how the silky-smooth bristles deliver vibrant colors effortlessly, allowing for detailed blending and beautiful washes. Whether you're painting on silk or paper, this brush enhances your creative process.

What We Like
Excellent liquid absorption
Versatile for multiple mediums
Flexible and smooth bristles
Ideal for fine details
#TOP 10

Sdanart Lettering Quill Brush Set, 6 Sizes

LPT001
Black
Sdanart Lettering Quill Brush Set, 6 Sizes Cover
Sdanart Lettering Quill Brushes, 6 pcs Lettering Brushes for Sign Painting, Professional Pinstriping Brush Sign Painting Brushes Pinstripe Brush Striping Brush , Paint Brush Size XL, L, M, S, XS, XXS

The Sdanart Lettering Brush Set offers six brushes in different sizes, from XXS to XL, giving you the perfect tool for detailed striping, lettering, and logo work. Each brush features flexible, high-quality bristles designed to hold pigment well and create smooth, precise strokes, whether straight or curved. These brushes are versatile enough for use on various surfaces like glass, marble, and automotive finishes, making them a great choice for many projects. Plus, their excellent water retention means you can use them with acrylics, oils, or watercolors without worrying about bristles shedding, ensuring long-lasting performance and reliability.

What We Like
Variety of brush sizes
Flexible, high-quality bristles
Suitable for multiple surfaces
Excellent paint retention
Durable metal ferrules
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between quill and mop brush?

Quill brushes, often made with natural or synthetic squirrel hair, are sometimes referred to as mops. Mops are designed to hold a lot of water and are not focused on creating precise brush strokes or points.

2. Why Kolinsky sable paintbrushes are so expensive?

Kolinsky sable paintbrushes are expensive due to the intricate craftsmanship involved in their production. These brushes are typically made by highly skilled artisans, often women, who undergo three years of training. Additionally, there are only a limited number of brush makers worldwide who can create these top-of-the-range Series 7 brushes.

3. What paint brush creates sharper edges?

A shader (flat) brush is ideal for creating sharp edges. Its sharp, square shape allows for precise control and crisp edges. This type of brush is suitable for tasks such as blocking in color, shading, blending, highlighting, small washes, and stroke work.

4. What are squirrel hair brushes good for?

Squirrel hair brushes are well-suited for thin paints like watercolor and ink. The larger squirrel brushes provide better support due to the mass of hairs, making them more effective than smaller ones.

5. What brush is not best used for watercolor painting?

Oil and acrylic brushes are not suitable for watercolor painting. While some brands claim their brushes work for both acrylic and watercolor, using them for watercolor will not yield optimal results. It is recommended to invest in proper watercolor brushes for the best painting experience.

6. What are quill watercolor brushes used for?

Quill brushes are similar to mop brushes in their ability to hold a significant amount of water. However, quill brushes have a fine point, making them suitable for detailed work. They can be used for large wet washes as well as for precise tasks like creating intricate details in paintings.

7. Why are Kolinsky brushes banned in the US?

Kolinsky brushes are not banned in the US. However, there have been restrictions due to concerns about the sourcing of the hair. Russia, a major supplier of Kolinsky hair, has been required to provide proper documentation and evidence of ethical practices. In the past, when Russia failed to provide the necessary paperwork, the US Fish and Wildlife Service imposed temporary bans on Sable brushes from Russia.

Editor's Notes

During our quill art paintbrush research, we found 22 quill art paintbrush products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 10,285 customer reviews through our big data system to write the quill art paintbrushes list. We found that most customers choose quill art paintbrushes with an average price of $19.94.

The quill art paintbrushes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of quill art paintbrushes, including Mack Brush, Custom Shop, Princeton, Creative Mark, Raphael. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 92 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Ann Hale Avatar

Ann Hale is a seamstress, pattern maker, and fashion designer with extensive sewing experience. She has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years now after receiving Associates's Degree in fashion design in 2010. Also as a writer, she has many creative and unique insights when it comes to articles.