Quest for the Holy Brush!

[Einion]

Originally posted by BoBzz
Okay, Cheesy title aside.... I have been away awhile... What are the best brushes now days(Still those W&N series... uh... whatevers?)?

Simple answer, no.

These old threads might be of help:
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/viewthread.php?tid=10844
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/viewthread.php?tid=10688
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/viewthread.php?tid=10694
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/viewthread.php?tid=9430
You\'ll find a link in one of those to a thread on pF where I list a bunch of alternatives you can look into trying.

Originally posted by richilincez
For to buy an entire set is way too expensive(at least for me)...

Buy online from someone like Dick Blick, that\'s the best way to save on expensive brushes (which can be, quite frankly, ridiculously expensive at full retail)

Originally posted by richilincez
...which ones (sizes) do I need?

Whatever suits the way you paint. I think you should aim for larger brushes that have a good point. Also don\'t be afraid to use synthetics for general work and textures, reserving your fine brushes for subtle layering and details.

Originally posted by richilincez
It is important that the brushes are by W&N or is ok every kind of series 7 miniature painting Kolinsky sable brush?

See links above for alternatives.

Originally posted by Modderrhu
If you get a top-notch sable brush, forget about a 3/0, get a 2/0 instead. And a 1 instead of a 0. You really, really don\'t need smaller.

Agreed. Personally I think one should use the largest brush possible for any job if you\'re painting with acrylics or vinyl paints.

Originally posted by Modderrhu
Some people even use a 0 as their smallest brush, but that\'s up to personal confidence, I suppose.

Originally posted by Modderrhu
Instead of brush soap, I\'ve been using Pantene shampoo and conditioner. Is there any reason to use brush soap instead?

Nope. I\'ve tested the pH of Master\'s brush soap and it\'s nothing to write home about (about the same as many common soaps for the record!) and some of the bar types have abrasives in them that are not good for soft-hair brushes. Liquid brush soaps are basically made from detergent so they\'re much like modern shampoo and dishwashing liquids so they\'re a different story to the bar type.

A good condition every now and again certainly won\'t hurt any brush so it\'s a fine habit to get into.

Einion

 

[Modderrhu]

Originally posted by Margo
Eric ... GW Fine Detail? Are you telling me you paint your miniatures with GW Fine Detail? *faints*

Hm, it\'s his corset that gets that effect, not what brush he\'s holding.

Originally posted by Margo
*takes deep breath*
As for me, I use Robert Simmons White Sable Round Synthetic brushes; they\'re the best. I had about 40 of them delivered from States, since they no longer sell them here in Moscow.

It seems they\'ve been replaced here by the Daler Rowney brushes, perhaps in Moscow too? They seem to be the same thing. Don\'t like them much myself, they are far too rigid. Brushing off the edge of a mini usually results in paint being flicked off the brush.

 

[Modderrhu]

Originally posted by richilincez
So The ones you use are the kolinsky series 7 for watercolor, not the specific ones for minis?

The shorter \'miniature\' brushes do offer you more control, but they hold less paint and are going to get clogged more quickly. This means paint gets into the ferrule more quickly, and that necessitates even more frequent rinsing. So you got that right, I use the normal rounds.

@Einion: You took your time finding this thread.

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by Modderrhu
@Einion: You took your time finding this thread.

Offline yesterday, what can I tell you? lol

Einion

 

[Ebonbuddha]

Drink

 

[Sjakkie]

Sorry people, but I\'m kinda disappointed that no one has mentioned this (in this particular thread) yet:

http://uk.games-workshop.com/storefront/store.uk?do=Individual&code=99199999022&orignav=300810

With this blessed tool everyone can become a top-10 painter!

 

[Klute]

As far as I am aware the W+N series 7 miniatures are so called becuase the fibres are shorter and not becuase they are for painting miniatures.
In my opinion the longer the fibres the better as more paint can be held which means it stays wet on the brush longer.

I use Da Vinci Meastro 1503 pocket brushes. I have tried W+N 7\'s and they were way behind the Da Vinci in terms of quality.
I use a size 2 for general work and 1 for fine detail. They go smaller but if you can draw pupils at 28mm scale with a 1 why go smaller ?

da vinci maestro DICK BLICKS

 

[sniffles]

I\'ve been quite pleased with a W&N white nylon brush I picked up a while ago. I usually go for natural bristles but I\'ve found that the nylon works just fine for me. It\'s a 0/3 size but the point is finer than some 0/5 sables I have in my brush box. The only flaw is that dark colors stain the bristles.

 

[richilincez]

I ordered a w&n kolisky series 7 , #00 and a #1 and they arrived yesterday. You can feel the difference, the colour is held and flows perfectly, an the control is perfect, too. Also, using the #1 is amazing in particular because you have a broad stroke for the large areas, and a point perfect for pupils for the smaller details; when using it I almost forgot of the #00!! I promise they will make the difference in your painting, they did with mine.

 

[Modderrhu]

Originally posted by richilincez
Also, using the #1 is amazing in particular because you have a broad stroke for the large areas, and a point perfect for pupils for the smaller details; when using it I almost forgot of the #00!!

Damn, rich! I wish I had the confidence to just carry on using a 1 like that. Glad they\'re working for you.