New brushes = love!

[HeavyBolter]

I just started using Series 7 and I like them but before that I was pretty happy with my Raphaels and also the WN Artist Watercolour Brushes. The ones with the bulbous handles, they are well balanced and the brushed perform well. I also have a separate set of brushes just for metallics.

 

[-Ice]

Thanks for the link, Einion! I generally suck at searching so I asked.

I used my Raphael brushes last time and I must say, I think I prefer them more than the S7s. A little more snap and spring than my S7. Still, I consider both brushes very good and have helped me enjoy the hobby more.

I had planned to buy a few more spares and maybe a 2 or 3 for basecoating but my other hobby sucked my funds dry due to the massive holiday sales, so new brushes are re-scheduled at the end of January.

 

[Kr80gz]

Heh. I searched high and low at my local store for the Series 7 and couldn't find them. I went to the counter and asked if they stocked them. "Ahh!" said the lady and disappeared under the counter. She pops up with a LOCKED wooden box. As she unlocked it and slowly opened the lid, I swear the room lit up! "We don't leave these out on the shelves." She said smiling.

I got 2. A 00 and a 1. They are awesome. I need more.

 

[boardandy]

Hi.
It's about time I swapped my GW brushes for something a bit better but I do have a couple of questions. I use a GW standard brush for most things but am not sure what size that is? Also has anyone tried the 'Series 7 miniature' brushes? I think they are just shorter but I wondered if there were any advantages or disadvantages to using them.

 

[gohkm]

The Windsor & Newton Series 7 were discussed earlier in this thread, and have also been the subject of many threads in paintbrushes. The Series 7 are, indeed, somewhat shorter than normal, but that hardly detracts from how useful and resilient they are. They need proper care, though - either with a shampoo/conditioner combo or a solid brush soap like Masters.

Lots of professional painters swear by the Series 7, including Jennifer Haley - she once referred to them as brushes that she would make regular blood sacrifices to. The problem is that W&N do churn out naff batches of brushes. W&N also have some serious competitors - I'd say the closest competitor is the Raphael 8404, which has a larger reservoir.

I've used both, but I like the Series 7 more. The size 1 and 2 are actually fine enough to do detail work.

But, you have to pick the one that suits you.

 

[GamerDad]

I would say the mini brushes will hold less paint. Whether that is a factor or not depends on what type of work you intend to do with it.

I would +1 the Raphael 8404, they are pretty good too!

 

[shponglefan]

Also has anyone tried the 'Series 7 miniature' brushes? I think they are just shorter but I wondered if there were any advantages or disadvantages to using them.

The "miniature" line of Series 7 are designed with short bristles and as a consequence, don't hold as much paint. While I haven't used them personally (I've used regular Series 7 brushes), the consensus I've seen is to avoid them.

Whether that's a factor, comes down to individual technique.

 

[ced1106]

Einion's two rinse jars. I could swear you're should add a little soap to help clean the brush, but can't find it.

I also clean the ferrule, after rinsing it, by rolling it against the toilet paper on a discarded toilet paper roll. Quite a bit of paint can accumulate there on your work brushes!

 

[RuneBrush]

Einion's two rinse jars. I could swear you're should add a little soap to help clean the brush, but can't find it.

I also clean the ferrule, after rinsing it, by rolling it against the toilet paper on a discarded toilet paper roll. Quite a bit of paint can accumulate there on your work brushes!

You really should avoid letting paint get into the ferrule at all, no matter how much you clean some paint will stay up there, dry and ultimately weaken the bristles and make them snap off in time. This is why people have dedicated wash/glazing brushes.

I upgraded to W&N Series 7 from my GW brushes and noticed a massive improvement almost immediately. In the last year though, I've migrated from Series 7 over to Rosemary & Co. No. 33's. I've also gone larger and regularly use a No 2 sized brush for a huge amount of my work - a good brush should maintain a point regardless of size. The No. 33's are in my opinion as good as the Series 7, but around a third of the price (i.e. you can get three times the number of brushes!), my common sizes are a 0, 1 and 2. Occasionally a No. 3 gets used (very rare though) and even more rarely does my No. 00 get used.

 

[Lou Rollins]

While you had your first "aha" experience with dropping a little dough on some brushes (Cheers!); you learned a time old lesson from a very wise man, "You only wince once when you buy quality!" I don't know that the manufacturer of the brushes you use are as critical as the type of hair that is used. I have had some very good success with some cheaper brushes--a Plaid 'mongoose hair' liner brush I got for less than five bucks U.S. and it has outlasted SEVERAL of my more expensive brushes! If you want the supreme brush, then get a Kolinsky Sable! Regular Sable is a close second... but I don't think you can beat durability, cost, paint-hold, and line quality with Mongoose hair! The point is, do a little research and go out and drop some money on a few different manufacturers and hair types to find what you like. A good brush with the right kind of paint makes ALL the difference! Have fun with your new hobby!

 

[Kalidane]

Totally with RuneBrush there. The Rosemary Series 33 #2 seems to be the perfect brush. Pure Kolinsky Sable for little more than the price of a coffee.

I can't imagine a lower quality brush being able to do everything from base-coat through to detailing the eyes of a dwarf!

 

[Rose Model Art]

Another big vote for the W&N 7's, got a 3/0 through to a 2 in my paint brush box.
I also got a set of Pro Arte brushes as these are more synthetic bristles but they go down to a 10/0! and they are a godsend for doing eyes and lenses etc.

I find the best way to keep the brushes is regular cleaning out of the brush in water, refresh your water jar often or between colours, especially metalics. The soap I use was the brush soap that came with the old GW Masters set (wooden box with soap, cloth and little brass cup. I find it gets the paint out a treat and the brushes stay supple. no idea who makes it but it should last me years!