sizes on paint brush\'s, whats it all mean?

[fredwinu]

im confused by the numbers on paintbrushes and im looking to get some really gud ones, so i need to know what sizes im geting...

i currently use:
GW \'fine\' detail brush, that i use fo almost everything but detail....

GW smal dry brush, which has its use\'s...

a royal soft grip size 1, wich is comfortable, but i aint sure about the plastic handle/shaft

and a size 5/0 javis that i got for £1.55 (roughly $2.25) that is absolutly brilliant!

but as i said, im looking to get some new ones (i.e. replace the GW ones and buy some really fine detailed ones) so what does this scale mean....

is a 000 biger or smaller than a 5/0, and whats a 00000??? now i dont want anything too soft, but then again nothing to hard...:flip: i heard the windsor and newton are good?

 

[generulpoleaxe]

000 are larger than 5/0

the number of 0\'s is also it\'s size indicator. for example, 2/0=00, 5/0=00000.

the smaller the number or the more 0\'s = the smaller the brush tip.

windsor+newton are a company with a very good reputation but not every body\'s favourite.

if you don\'t take good care of your brushes then don\'t spend a lot on them.

 

[fredwinu]

wow thanks, you\'ve made it really simple. interesting point... the smallest in the W&N series 7 is a 3/0, i expected them to do 10/0, paint brush\'s so small the figures them selves could use em

so what brushes do use use generulpoleaxe?

 

[uglyamericanV1.5]

just some info

ive been painting around a year now, and i have found that the best brush to do most of your painting would be a 0 and to do details 10/0.

now a really important part of that is what type of brush....

sable is the best for me....but there are alot out there that can be used with acrylics and it doesnt seem to matter that much.

also, you will find there is round brushes, liners, shaders, ect ect....

round is wonderful for all work (go figure).
liners suck because they are so thin and long that they dont hold enough paint and they are hard, for me, to control. Monogram brushes, if you can find them, are AWESOME for details.

spotters suck. they do what they are supposed to do, which is why they dont have a point (even though they look really tiny).

if you go buy really good brushes, get some brush soap. it helps \"condition\" the bristles.....
whatever that means...
but it does help them keep a point, and if you spent 10$ per brush (5 pounds i think) then you want to give em some extra love a care......

so remember a 0 and 0/10 round brushes with a nice monogram or round 0/20 for tiny little details.

good luck bro....

 

[fredwinu]

once again, extremely usefull, thank you. btw, could name some companies that make monogram brushes or go up to a 20/0.....im having no luck

 

[Orchid Noir]

Also note that the sizes are anything but consistant between manufacturers!

One brand\'s 30/0 taklon is a tiny, stub bristle thing that I have yet to find a use for (found it on clearance for less than $2 a couple of years ago), while a W&N 3/0 has the same point AND has longer bristles that can actually hold a little paint for you (not to mention the lack of damnable taklon curl on the tip )

 

[uglyamericanV1.5]

http://www.cheapjoes.com/art-supplies/7572_princeton-mini-brushes.asp

BOO-EFFIN-YA!:bouncy:
This is where i got my W&N, 0, 00, 000, and a 1 for under 50$ (that is good for W&N).....

 

[uglyamericanV1.5]

well those are watercolor brushes (i think acrylics will be way to rough on em), but look in that site, and youll find it...

damn sorry bout that...

 

[Orb]

remember that the smaller the brush you use, the less paint it holds, and with acrylics, the quicker the paint will dry on the brush.

many top painters do detail work with larger brushes; even a 1. Why? Because the brush holds the paint better, and will still have a good point. And the paint wont dry before it get on the mini.

 

[fredwinu]

i\'ve done some extensive snooping now and found that reaper make a 30/0, thats right a 30/0 + it looks nice.
unfortunatly i aint found a UK bassed seller, or any monogram brushes anywere

 

[generulpoleaxe]

if you haven\'t been painting long use gw brushes.

they are fairly easy to find.

if you are at a decent standard and are wanting brushes that will last longer(this is the only difference between w+n for example and gw) then look for kolinsky sable brushes (this is the type of hair that is used.

w+n brushes are good but expensive.
you can get cheaper kolinsky brushes from here
http://www.legendgames.co.uk/acatalog/Kolinsky_Sable_Paint_Brushes.html

they won\'t last as long as w+n but won\'t break the bank either.

if you have the money and want to invest in w+n then you can get them from here
http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/erol.html#519x0&&

i stress the point again, don\'t invest in expensive brushes unless you are prepared to look after them.

i don\'t want to seem like i am a know it all or that i am talking down to you. i just don\'t want to see someone waste money.

a liquid brush cleaner and a conditioner for the brushes are essential to maintain their life expentancy. i personaly use vallejo ones but there are others on the market.

hope you can make sense of this and that it helps.

p.s. if you use w+n or the other ones i have shown then you will want a 000 for fine detail a 0 for detail and a 1 for most of the standrd painting. a size 3 is great for base coats when doing ogres/wolfen etc.

oh and as far as brushes are conserned i use w+n, gw and hobbygames brushes.

 

[Modderrhu]

Originally posted by fredwinu
the smallest in the W&N series 7 is a 3/0, i expected them to do 10/0, paint brush\'s so small the figures them selves could use em

Well, they don\'t make anything smaller, because smaller things are absolutely useless. It\'s already been said that smaller brushes hold less paint, and that the acrylics dry on the brush, before you get a chance to use them. I bought a 0000 for spotting... waste of bloody money, it\'s the most useless three hairs that I\'ve ever bought.

In fact, get a good sable brush, and you don\'t need a 000. Some people use a size 0 as their smallest brush - Tammy Hayes comes to mind. The reason is that a good sable brush has a fine tip, no matter what size it is. The very tip of a 000 is the same as the very tip of a 0. I use a Series 7 00 for the finest details. In general, use the biggest brush that you are comfortable with.

All your specific questions have been answered now, but there\'s an absolute tonne of more stuff concerning brushes here. A forum search will give you plenty more insight into brushes, care and selection.

 

[fredwinu]

thanks guys this has been realy helpful... and thanks for the U.K links...

in asnwer to generulpoleaxe, i\'ve painting for about 4 years now, so im looking for some decent brushes. as for the brush conditioner, i currently use washing up deturgent in my paint water. but i suppose i should get some propper stuff.

thanks again, best regards...

Fred

 

[Godlikebuthumble]

Oh, and I love that bouncing Yoda! lol

 

[fredwinu]

thank you, i feel it depicts the morbid depression enduce by the absence of the spacehopper, i mean luke looks so sad as he hasnt got one, GO YODA GO.....lol:bouncy::bouncy: