Choice of brush for acrylics

[JR]

Here are some comments on Winsor & Newton brushes, with typical prices for a size 2 brush

#7 Kolinsky sable £20-68 Obviously an excellent brush but I find them a bit too soft and no matter how careful I am they always seem to wear out on me

Sceptre Gold 11 £5-39 My preferred type, sable/synthetic mixture, a bit more springy and resilient than all sable

Cotman £4-40 A synthetic watercolour brush, about the same or perhaps softer than sable. I have a couple but prefer something springier

University £3-50 This is W&N's budget range, and none the worse for that, synthetic, a bit more springy than sable or Sceptre Gold 11. I have #0 & #00 and they're OK for details, I might try a larger size or a flat

Professional Watercolour Synthetic Sable £5-27 I haven't used any of these, but might try one in the near future. Could be worth trying if you like sable but want something cheaper

So as we might expect, all the synthetic brushes are much cheaper than #7 sable
If you're looking for new brushes, especially if you want something cheaper than all sable, you could buy one of each in the same size, and see how they compare, they're cheap enough

And if you're wondering where to start, you could include a #7 sable, and see if you think the extra cost is worth it.

Thanks zuludog, nice list to check out , appreciate your help .

Oh, and it’s worth exploring other brush shapes other than rounds and flats……Filberts make great dry brushes. The curved edges don’t leave a straight line. Angled shaders can be good in some situations as well…

Tim, yes thanks.
Think I'm going line up all my brushes and sort them into some sort of order. Although they are in a holder they end up getting mixed make wise up due to the size of the handles. Like the idea of the Filberts for dry rushing, currently using flats ex oil brushes and too thick .

[zuludog]

Well, lots of ideas, that's what Forums are for .......... decisions, decisions
However, there's only one way to find out what you like and that's to buy one or two of each type and see how they compare

And don't forget ABC Brushes; their mixed pack FS-2, 10 brushes for £12-50, is good value and covers a range of sizes

As if I don't have enough already, I'm going to order a couple of brushes from -

Rafael 8404, to see if they change my opinion about sable
W&N Professional Watercolour Synthetic Sable, to see what they're like

I understand that filberts were designed by a Mr Filbert to give a similar sort of coverage & performance as flats, but without a hard edge to the brush strokes

Despite the usual advice, I keep my brushes stored upright in three old jam jars - for sizes up to 0; sizes 1 to 3; and sizes 4 and above

[Tim Marlow]

Well, lots of ideas, that's what Forums are for .......... decisions, decisions
However, there's only one way to find out what you like and that's to buy one or two of each type and see how they compare

Amen to that. Brushes are a bit subjective really, what suits one painter may not suit another. All comes down to how you use them and what you use them for.

What I would say though is keep your sharp detail brushes for sharp detail. Paint mixing, metallics, dry brushing and washes will ruin the point in short order. Also, don’t buy the expensive brands such as series seven and Raphael 8404 until you have really learned how to clean what you already have. It’s a costly way to buy a paint stirrer…..

[spanner570]

very interesting and mind boggling thread for sure.

The following might be of interest and is a complete opposite to all the excellent contributions so far.

Being a total and utter cheapskate, I only buy the cheapest brushes possible from Poundshops and the like. A couple of quid gets me half a dozen of different sizes. I also use those brushes that come with Airfix 'Starter' kits. Yes, they don't last all that long, but I'm perfectly happy with the results obtained. When they loose their points, I trim the bristles off square and use them for stippling etc.

As to cleaning, I have little tub of that expensive Master's stuff, which I hardly use.
I prefer a cleaner called 'The Pink Stuff' It rips the paint out of my brushes in nothing flat!

A reet good minefield for sure. but as has been pointed out in this thread, we all have different preferences and depth of pockets, and at the end of the day, it doesn't matter how good or bad a brush is, as long as the modeller is happy with the final result he has obtained then all is good.

Ron

[zuludog]

Yes, I use the brushes from the Airfix starter kits as well, and I think they're quite good
I haven't had much success with very cheap brushes, they tend to splay very quickly, or the bristles fall out as I'm using them
Although that was years ago and they probably had dirt cheap natural fibres, or the early synthetic, perhaps they've improved
I do use one cheap brush though; a soft #8 natural fibre that I've had for years, I use it to sweep off dust & filings when I'm filling & sanding joint lines

But as I mentioned I've just ordered a few more brushes -

From www.artsupplies.co.uk a couple of W&N Professional Watercolour Synthetic Sable

From www.jacksonart.com a couple each of -
Rafael 8404
W&N University
I noticed they had DaVinci Colineo Synthetic Sable on offer, don't know anything about then, but I thought I'd try those as well

I too cut down old worn brushes for stippling/mottling and dry brushing
I've seen Pink Stuff on t'Net, but you've got to draw the line somewhere

EDIT - I've just Searched for the Pink Stuff on t'Net and it's a general cleaner, so I might get some anyway, and I can use it around the house - and if it's as good as they say, I can spend less time cleaning and more time on model making

[spanner570]

EDIT - I've just Searched for the Pink Stuff on t'Net and it's a general cleaner, so I might get some anyway, and I can use it around the house - and if it's as good as they say, I can spend less time cleaning and more time on model making

It is good. Been using it for years - and my hands are so soft!

Your Servant.

Fred Dibnah

[JR]

Well having read all the replies some which were most entertaining I'm off to Confused .com .:smiling3:

In fact looking through my brushes I've noticed there are no W&N left, Pro Art and DaVinci seem to be in vouge .I've lashed out and gone for some synthetic
1 x Pro Arte Series MP Miniature Painting Brush Size 1/8"
1 x Pro Arte Series MP Miniature Painting Brush Size 00
1 x Pro Arte Series MP Miniature Painting Brush Size 1
1 x Pro Arte Series MP Miniature Painting Brush Size 2
1 x Pro Arte Series MP Miniature Painting Brush Size 000

From Ken Bromley , at £2.96 each, might be a waste, on the other hand might suit .Will report back .
Only wish there was a standard sizing adopted by brush manufacturers.

[rtfoe]

Is there such a thing as nylon sabre brushes?

Cheers,
Richard

[Tim Marlow]

Do you mean Sword liners like these Richard?

https://www.rosemaryandco.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=+Sword+liner+brushes

If so, it looks like there are several to choose from, and I’m sure other manufacturers make them as well.

[rtfoe]

Do you mean Sword liners like these Richard?

https://www.rosemaryandco.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=+Sword+liner+brushes

If so, it looks like there are several to choose from, and I’m sure other manufacturers make them as well.

Thanks for that, now I know what they are called as I have a few of those but what I really meant was nylon sable brushes and misspelt.

Cheers,
Richard

[Tim Marlow]

Thanks for that, now I know what they are called as I have a few of those but what I really meant was nylon sable brushes and misspelt.

Cheers,
Richard

Nylon sable is a bit of a misnomer Richard. Nylon is one material and sable is another Worth having a good look around the Rosemary and Co site though. I believe they now market nylons that are supposed to act like sables……and there are a bewildering variety of brush types and shapes that I never knew existed!

[rtfoe]

The sabre ones are good with my blending for tight corners and large areas.

Nylon sable is a bit of a misnomer Richard. Nylon is one material and sable is another Worth having a good look around the Rosemary and Co site though. I believe they now market nylons that are supposed to act like sables……and there are a bewildering variety of brush types and shapes that I never knew existed!

I guess it could be that as they aren't the usual white but in sable colors. Will see if they curl. Priced at less than half the real sables by Daler & Rowney.

Cheers,
Richard

Cheers,
Richard

[Gavalaar1980]

I've always used a set of H & S detail paint brushes for virtually every figure I've painted; they are superb quality and have lasted for 5 projects without any signs of damage. I bought them from Amazon for about a tenner. Highly recommend John. G

[banjer]

A bit late to the party, but I've only just joined the forum, my now go to brushes are produced by Hawk Miniatures. Kolinski sable brushes nearly as good as Winsor and Newton for a fraction of the price.

Bill

[JR]

1 x Pro Arte Series MP Miniature Painting Brush Size 1/8"
1 x Pro Arte Series MP Miniature Painting Brush Size 00
1 x Pro Arte Series MP Miniature Painting Brush Size 1
1 x Pro Arte Series MP Miniature Painting Brush Size 2
1 x Pro Arte Series MP Miniature Painting Brush Size 000

From Ken Bromley , at £2.96 each. All synthetic , well they would be at that price :smiling3:

Bought these 6 th September this year, now I've used them a lot on the latest build doing detail . Have to say they appear to be holding up well.
When I paint the figures the real test will begin. Will report back.