GETHPEN Filbert Paint Brushes Set Review – 12 Professional Artist Brushes Tested

Quick Verdict

The GETHPEN filbert paint brushes set of 12 delivers a solid, budget-friendly entry point for artists who want the signature soft-edge blending that filbert shapes are known for. After two weeks of testing across acrylic washes, oil underpainting, and watercolor detail work, the brushes held their shape reasonably well and showed no shedding — which is the main thing you want at this price point. The short handles won't suit everyone, and the smallest sizes (#1 and #2) need a gentle touch, but for the money these are genuinely capable tools. Score: 4.3 out of 5. Check current price on Amazon.

What Is the GETHPEN Filbert Paint Brushes Set?

The GETHPEN filbert paint brushes set is a 12-piece collection of synthetic nylon brushes in the classic filbert shape — that flattened, oval-tipped head that sits somewhere between a round brush and a flat brush. The filbert is the workhorse of portrait and botanical artists because it can lay broad strokes and pull hair-fine lines depending on the angle, all while leaving a softer edge than a square-edged flat brush would.

Each brush in this set is numbered #1 through #12, covering a wide range of sizes. The bristles are synthetic nylon, which means they mimic the paint-holding capacity of natural squirrel or goat hair but at a fraction of the cost and with better resilience when used with acrylics. Handles are a light white wood, and the ferrules are crimped aluminum. They arrive nestled in a small rectangular plastic container — nothing fancy, but functional for keeping the set together between sessions.

Key Features

• 12 brushes in sizes #1–#12 covering fine detail to broad coverage
• Soft synthetic nylon bristles suitable for oil, acrylic, watercolor, and gouache
• Filbert head shape for smooth blending and soft-edged strokes
• Lightweight white wooden handles to reduce hand fatigue
• Aluminum crimped ferrules for secure bristle attachment
• Anti-shedding construction tested across multiple paint types
• Comes with a plastic storage container for organization

Hands-On Review

I'll admit I almost overlooked this set at first — I've been burned by budget brush sets before, where the bristles splay after a single session and the ferrules start spinning within a week. The GETHPEN filbert paint brushes sat on my desk for a few days before I actually put them to work on a weekend landscape study in acrylic.

What surprised me was the snap-back. After loading up the larger sizes (#7 through #12) with heavy-body acrylic and laying down some bold strokes, I rinsed them under warm water, reshaped the tips with my fingers, and left them to dry. By the next morning, every brush had returned to its original shape. No splay, no soft tips, no loose ferrules. I repeated this process four more times over two weeks — acrylic washes, a thin oil underpainting, and some loose watercolor gestures — and the condition remained consistent.

The smaller brushes (#1, #2, #3) are where I noticed a caveat: they're functional for fine detail work, but if you apply lateral pressure — pressing hard to force a thicker line — the tips will start to deform slightly. This isn't unusual for small synthetic brushes, but it's worth knowing if your technique relies on heavy scrubbing with the fine sizes. Light to moderate pressure keeps them performing well.

The short handles are a deliberate design choice — they work well for close-up detail work and are comfortable for extended periods. If you typically paint at an easel from a standing position and prefer longer handles for reach, these will feel underwhelming. For desktop or close-quarters work, however, the short wooden handles are ergonomic and keep the set compact.

Who Should Buy It?

• Beginner to intermediate artists who want a versatile filbert brush set without committing to expensive natural-hair brushes
• Botanical and portrait painters who rely on filbert shapes for smooth blending and soft petal or skin tones
• Multi-medium artists who work across acrylic, oil, watercolor, and gouache and need one set that handles them all
• Travel or studio organizers who appreciate the included storage container keeping brushes protected and portable

Skip these if you exclusively paint from an easel with extended reach, or if you regularly use the smallest brushes (#1–#2) under heavy lateral pressure — the fine tips will flex more than you'd like. For that use case, look at extended-handle natural-hair alternatives in the $40–$60 range.

Alternatives Worth Considering

• Royal & Langnickel Brasselite Filbert Set — A step up in bristle quality and handle length, but costs roughly twice as much. Worth it if you demand premium feel and longevity.
• Mont Marte Gold Taklon Filbert Set — Comparable price point with slightly firmer bristles. Better for watercolor and ink work; less suited to heavy impasto acrylic.
• Da Vinci Casaneo Filbert Brushes — Higher-end synthetic fiber construction with excellent paint load and snap-back. Significantly more expensive but favored by professional illustrators.

FAQ

Final Verdict

The GETHPEN filbert paint brushes set earns its place as a practical, affordable studio tool. The 12-size range covers nearly every painting scenario you'll encounter, the anti-shedding construction held up across every medium I tested, and the inclusion of a storage container is a small but meaningful touch. The short handles and fine-tip limitations are real but manageable trade-offs at this price. If you're building your first brush kit or expanding a collection without breaking the budget, these filberts deliver reliable performance that punches above their weight. I'd keep using them — and I have every intention of doing exactly that.