Jackson’s Raven Mop Brushes Review

While looking over customer reviews of products in our online shop, Diego G Valvenio’s comments on our Jackson’s Raven Synthetic Mop brush really stood out as descriptive and engaged. Among other things he said it had ‘amazing paint holding capabilities’ and was ‘a joy to use’. We asked Diego to expand on the review and gave him a £25 Jackson’s Gift Voucher as a reward for writing the most informative and useful product review of the month.

Product Review by Diego G Valvenio

I’m a furniture maker by trade and an amateur draftsman for as long as I can remember. I’ve been learning how to paint watercolours for a year in order to be able to teach it to my kids. During this short year, I’ve come to realise my inability to paint on smaller size sheets, like 1/4 sheet, A4 and such. At the same time, I got to know the expressive work of Alvaro Castagnet and I wanted to try studying his style. And that’s the reason I bought a Raven size 6 first. Later on I bought a Raven size 2 too.

Referring back to my original buyer’s review, “…Half imperial is the minimum size for this brush, although I think it does better on full sheets.” I usually use my size 6 Raven for the initial washes to establish an undertone on 1/2 sheet size paintings, but sometimes I find it a little too big and end up using my size 2 brush. My style is naturally more controlled and less dynamic, so whenever I’m trying to loosen myself doing a study on any art by Alvaro Castagnet I stick to the big one. You can see it really shine that way. They are especially good for initial washes with broad strokes and lots of pigment.

Paintings using Jackson’s Raven Brushes

Here are some paintings from references found on pixabay.com.

São Paulo at Night. Painting done entirely using Raven size 2 and a small synthetic for line work. Paper is Hahnehmühle Harmony 12” x 16”.

Diego G Valvenio, São Paulo at Night

Theatro Municipal de São Paulo at Night. Base washes done with Raven size 6 and further layers painted with Raven size 2. Rigger work with Escoda Ultimo size 2. Paper is Lana Sugar Cane 36 x 48 cm.

Diego G Valvenio, Theatro Mvnicipal de São Paulo at Night

Party at Night. Painted all layers and details with Raven size 6 and line work with Escoda Ultimo rigger size 2. Paper is Hahnemühle Expression sized half sheet.

Diego G Valvenio, Party at Night

My current big brush is an 18mm diameter natural squirrel brush that got heavily delayed upon delivery and arrived months after I got my first Raven size 6 to replace it.

Raven size 6 can fill an area of about 80% of the size the bigger 18mm natural brush can. It has a good stroke width ranging from 22 to 42mm. Not bad for a synthetic brush!

Raven size 2 has a good stroke between 15 to 27mm. From this, you can imagine it is a nice choice for controlled washes on paintings that are 12”x16”, A3, 36×48 cm and even half sheets.

Demonstrations of brush widths

Both feel balanced on the hand, with a nice length handle. The hair is very smooth and pliable, behaving just like real hair. They have a nice belly and their shape can be manipulated to give some texture to the paintings.

Jackson’s Raven Brush Size 0

Calling all artists to share their views!

We would like to encourage you to write a review on our website of any products that you have used. Simply navigate to the product you wish to review and click on the ‘Reviews’ button beneath the product image. Be thoughtful and detailed – think about what information will be useful to others.

Each month we will be selecting several well-written examples that will be published on our blog. The writer of the best review will receive a £25 Jackson’s gift voucher plus a featured photograph of them in their studio (if they wish) and a link to their website will appear alongside their review.

You can view more of Diego G Valvenio’s work on his instagram.

You can view all of our own brand brushes online here.