jeffb007 Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Hi Folks, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for good quality synthetic brushes, preferably available in the UK? I know we could get into a debate about natural vs synthetic brushes, but I genuinely prefer the feel of the synthetic one I've used, just not keen on the tip curling, although even that has it's uses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shae-Konnit Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 First thing i'll do is offer a word of warning. I tried some nylon brushes and they sucked, real bad. They suck paint up like nothing else, so paint drying around the base of the bristles is almost inevitable. I have seen some art stores sell off paint brushes on the cheap if they're slightly damaged. If you manage to find a synthetic brush in a bargain bin might be worth a try... At least you'll get an idea of how well it suits your needs. I do have some synthetic brushes that lasted a wee while before curling; i'll get back to you with a brand name when I get home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy in Suit Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Get 'em cheap cuz they ain't gonna last long. I've used a few of Blick's house-brand 'student' white nylons over the years - mostly for painting terrain - but they were dirt cheap so could be tossed once they inevitably curled. Whats the big art chain store over there? Get the store brand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 I like the synthetics. They don't last long but they are cheap, easy to replace and they're great while you have them. I usually get mine at either Michael's or Hobby Lobby. I'm not sure if you guys have those across the pond, but I'm sure you have something similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffb007 Posted October 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Probably our biggest is Hobbycraft, it is pretty shocking. I bought a Winsor Newton Galleria (I think) synthetic there. It was quite expensive so I was a little disappointed when it curled in a couple of weeks, but then I found out that was normal. On the plus side it is now awesome for those hard to reach spots! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shae-Konnit Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Brushes I used were Pro Arte Acrylix 202 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffb007 Posted October 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Thanks, I'll check them out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backno Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 There really is no such thing as a good sythetic. They are great when you first start painting because they are cheap. That helps when you do dumb things like not rinse a brush out or dunk your brush to far into the paint pot. They also always make great dry brushes. Once you start getting better at painting I HIGHLY reccomend switching to better brushes made of 100% Kolinsky sable hair. They just behave much better, hold a point, and if you treat them well will last you years and years. I have a Windsor & Newton Series 7 size 1 brush that has base coated, highlighted, and detailed over 120 Ork Boyz and 80 Skaven Clanrats. The handle is a little beat up, but the brush its self holds a point just like the day I bought it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shae-Konnit Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 My pals got me a couple of Series7 for my birthday last year. Fantastic brushes! They're what allow me to do my mad freehand on everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backno Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 My pals got me a couple of Series7 for my birthday last year. Fantastic brushes! They're what allow me to do my mad freehand on everything. A note about the Series 7s: They come in 2 sizes Miniture Round and Pointed Round. If you are going to buy some make sure you get a size 0, a 1, and maybe a 2 in the Pointed Round. With those 3 brushes you can paint almost anything you want. The Miniture Rounds have the bristles recessed and are a bit smaller then the Pointed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 There was a good thread on the Warhammer forum recently about Rosemary & Co brushes. I got some, they are decent quality and pretty cheap. http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=89516 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry0503213 Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 Get 'em cheap cuz they ain't gonna last long. I've used a few of Blick's house-brand 'student' white nylons over the years - mostly for painting terrain - but they were dirt cheap so could be tossed once they inevitably curled. Whats the big art chain store over there? Get the store brand ______________________________________________ Buy RS Gold Buy Final Fantasy XI Gil New Information And The Game Final Fantasy XIV Youtube Channel Final Fantasy IV Beta Key Sometimes The Fate Of Gold Tera Special Working Against Them Top 7 Fab Celebs Owning WoW Accounts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letsallchant Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 i have quite a liking for cheap synthetic brushes, they have great 'snap' and are so cheap to replace. the one i am loving right now is 'silva crystal' which are like two dollars each!! they have a clear handle with a chisel point on it which has 1000 uses itself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ispep Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 You go ahead and use dozens of cheap synthetics for a year, I'll use my 3 moderately priced natural brushes. And then we can see how much cheaper the synthetics are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffb007 Posted October 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 Are natural brushes really that much better? My only experience of them is the GW ones and tbh even with the curling tip the synthetic one I use is still better for the most part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 (edited) You go ahead and use dozens of cheap synthetics for a year, I'll use my 3 moderately priced natural brushes. And then we can see how much cheaper the synthetics are. I do a lot of painting and I have an assortment of both synthetics and natural bristle brushes. The naturals are fantastic for oil and water color painting, on a canvas, but I've found that they don't hold their tip and tend to get stray bristles far too often to be practical for miniatures. I buy my synthetics in bulk at hobby lobby for around $6us for pack of 6 assorted sizes. The brands change often and they usually have a 50% off sale every few months. I'll usually pick up 3-4 packs at a time and I'm set for a few months. Also, somebody mentioned how the synthetics suck up the color and it dries at the base. This is true of any brush if they are not properly cleaned. I recommend a cleaning jar with a furry sponge in the bottom, like this one; http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/brush-cleaning-jar-and-pad-318451/ This will help extend the life of your brushes as well. Edited October 21, 2011 by Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rezz Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 How are the synthetic/natural mix brushes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascally Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 I've a few Rosemary and Co Kolinsky Sable brushes. If their synthetics are anywhere near as good they're excellent brushes at a great price. https://www.rosemaryandco.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letsallchant Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 the thing i like about synthetics is i can basically trash the brush putting on basecoats etc, and not really care. seems like you would have to be more careful/slow using a sable brush so u dont damage it by mashing the brush into the metal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ispep Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 The key to abusing sable brushes is The Masters Brush Soap. That stuff is a block of pure miracle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chev Chelios Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 I have had a set of four Da Vincis for a year now and they still look as good as the day I got them. Partly to do with brush soap and great quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolomyte Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 I have had a set of four Da Vincis for a year now and they still look as good as the day I got them. Partly to do with brush soap and great quality. I love da vinci's as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backno Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 (edited) The key to abusing sable brushes is The Masters Brush Soap. That stuff is a block of pure miracle. 100% this. The guys worried about treating sable brushes like they are a delicate flower have it wrong. You CAN beat on them, you CAN shove them into small areas, etc. And as long as you take care of them by not dunking them all the way to the metal in paint, rinse them out regularly as you paint (a good swirl in a water cup every min or 2), form the tip back, and use Masters Brush Soap from time to time the brushes will outlast 100 cheap ass synthetic brushes. which saves you money. I still use the 3 Series 7's I bought 3 years ago. Cost me 25 for them + a puck of Masters. During that time I have never had to fight with the brush to keep a point, had a brush go from new to unusable in a single night of base coating, or been in the middle of a project late at night only to find that the brush I need is no longer usable because it's can't keep a tip. Edited October 25, 2011 by Backno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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