Five round brushes in sizes 8, 6, 4, 2 and 0 — the working range that covers a whole painting. The big three lay down washes and shape petals and skies; the small two put in the eye of the bird and the highlight on the jar, which is the bit that makes a painting look finished.

The bristles are golden synthetic taklon: they hold a genuine point, carry a surprising amount of water, and release it evenly instead of dumping it in a puddle. Set into seamless aluminium ferrules on lacquered wood handles, so they do not shed or loosen at the neck. Buy them with a workbook and someone has a complete afternoon in one box.