Friday 19 July 2013

369 Sound Advice Please: New Paintbrushes!

*Must be hardwearing*

Hullo Friends,

Just a the title suggests, I'd like some advice please on getting a replacement brush, as it's struck me that I haven't bought a new one for almost five years now, and I've been using some of these for twelve years or more. My budget is minimal, if that helps, so this really must be a solid investment for me.
Any suggestions very gratefully received!
Oh, and pens were recently discussed on somebody's blog - here's the one I use for fine black details:

Keep well,

- D.

16 comments:

  1. Try Rosemary & Co.

    My own preference is for the Series 401 (Sable Blend) but there are others.

    www.rosemaryandco.com

    Tony

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  2. Have a look an W&N Series 7 Miniature range - Ken Bromley sells them at a reasonable price (~£7 each) and I certainly find them far nicer to use.

    I still use GW ones for basecoats and drybrushing etc, but for anything that needs any degree of neatness, the increased cost is well worth it. I haven't needed to replace any of my better quality ones since I bought them a few years ago - whether thats because I look after them better or not I couldn't say :)

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  3. I got some kolinsky sable ones from Dark Sphere gaming and although I haven't been using them for more than about 6 months, they are holding up fantastically, and are a joy to use. They only cost about £3 each as well, so considerably cheaper than most of the other sable brushes I've found. Keep a really sharp point too.

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    Replies
    1. Another vote for kolinsky ! Although I only have one and most of the rest are GW and W&N, so not a scientific or numerically significant result, more of a 'punt'.

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  4. Here's a review of some good brushes that I found helpful: http://daughteroftheemperor.blogspot.com/2011/12/not-all-sable-is-equal-paint-brush.html#comment-form

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  5. Hum. I still use GW, because despite trying a few others they're the most long-lasting IMHO. For drybrushing and undercoating, I buy a set of kids' craft brushes from Asda about once a month and use the smaller ones in that pack. They last a few weeks then I replace them, but they're £1 for the set and save the wear and tear on my normal brushes,

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  6. I use two winsor and newton series 7, a 0 and a 00 for finer detail, as I did some research and they seemed a safe bet.

    While you will know i'm not a prolific painter! I can't imagine buying other brushes, they are superb and well worth the money. They still look like new and are so easy to paint with.

    Hope that helps.

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    Replies
    1. Drax could I trouble you for a link to the pen discussion, must have missed it?

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    2. I believe he was referring to this:

      http://palladian-guard.blogspot.com/2013/07/advice-needed-painting-faces.html

      Cheers!

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    3. Thanks, Mordian - you're right of course.

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  8. Army Painter brushes have proven pretty good for affordable dips thus far. I also like their triangular handles, more comfortable than traditional round.

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  9. I use primarily Kolinski brushes these days, spending a little extra has proved to be a good thing. I would also suggest springing for a tub of brush soap as well - I went without for decades, but after the constant urging of a friend of mine to give it a go, it does really extend the life of a brush. I'm using "the masters brush cleaner and preserver" which can be found at most of the reputable interweb stores (got mine from Amazon):

    http://www.amazon.com/General-Pencil-Company-Masters-Preserver/dp/B001TNR7VM

    Cheers!

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  10. Thanks, everyone: just what I was hoping for!

    Payday's Wednesday, so I shall let you know.

    Til then, then...

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  11. Well now...

    ...seven months later and I've FINALLY got round to ordering myself a new brush! I've gone for a Kolinski sable...and I'll let you know my thoughts in a short while.

    THANK YOU!

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  12. New post's up (No. 422) - thank you.

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Thanks for taking the time to comment!