Alternative paintbrushes ?

Toke · **Joined:** Sat Dec 14, 2013 5:06 pm **Posts:** 19

hey all,

Looking at the GW paintbrushes and paints, is there any "cheaper alternatives" or would you keep with the GW and citedel....im new to the hobby and shopping about ..... anyon got previous experince in this at all ?

JamesR · **Posted:** Thu Dec 19, 2013 12:53 am

Toke wrote:

hey all,

Looking at the GW paintbrushes and paints, is there any "cheaper alternatives" or would you keep with the GW and citedel....im new to the hobby and shopping about ..... anyon got previous experince in this at all ?

Hey Toke.
I literally never use GW brushes, a HUGE waste of money as they're way over-priced compared to their competition. I just purchase high-quality acrylic brushes from art and craft stores, which are better quality for 1/3 the price

Gene Parmesan · **Posted:** Thu Dec 19, 2013 12:53 pm

I generally use army painter. There are lots of tips for maintaining brush life though

Erunion · **Posted:** Thu Dec 19, 2013 1:01 pm

I used to not like the GW brushes, but I tried the newer ones with the colored tips and I have actually been very pleased with them.

By the way, always get natural hair (sable) brushes. You'll pay more for them, but I get three times the life out of them and I don't really do much to maintain them besides a quick rinse after painting sessions.

Barnsley Burglar · **Joined:** Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:32 pm **Posts:** 126

Generally, I find the newer GW brushes good but not long lasting - the point seems to diminish every time I use them.

I've just gotten some Winsor and Newton Series 7 Miniature - 000, 0 and 2. They have shorter bristles, and I really like painting with them, and they're still in good nick a few weeks after purchase.

Coenus Scaldingus · **Joined:** Sat Aug 17, 2013 9:14 am **Posts:** 1121

Have all kinds of brushes, of which the Army Painter ones definitely are good value: much more lasting than any Citadel/GW variety I've had.

Wulox · **Joined:** Mon Dec 16, 2013 10:02 pm **Posts:** 45

Have to agree with those that have said army painter, they are wonderful brushes!

Hodush · **Posted:** Thu Dec 19, 2013 9:19 pm

Windsor & Newton and Army Painter are held to be the best brushes around.

You don't need to stick with GW for brushes, they aren't anything special. While I would recommend getting the natural hair (sable) brushes as has already been recommended, but I think if you are new to painting, you might be better off getting a cheap set before spending big on quality. The reason I say this is that people (including myself) generally don't have very good brush control or care when they are starting out.

I get a pack of about 5 different, small sizes from a discount shop. Maybe I got lucky and hit on a decent product but they have lasted for over a year without getting out of shape. Anyway, they only cost a few dollars.

Wulox · **Joined:** Mon Dec 16, 2013 10:02 pm **Posts:** 45

Just wanted to add a bit extra about the army painter brushes. The "handle" on them I find is much more ergonomic to hold compared the plain old round brushes. They are angular, more like a triangular prism shape which is more comfortable to hold, for me at least anyway.
Also, the army painter brush mega set is only £30 for 11 brushes compared to Games-Workshop's £40 for 10!

theavenger001 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 20, 2013 7:52 pm

I believe DMS uses solely GW fine detail brushes, so don't discount them entirely...However, I myself use Raphael 8404 brushes. Here's a link to a comparison of them and W&N series 7 brushes:http://www.secretweaponminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=7
I got a size 1 and two 0's. It was ~$50, but they show no signs of letting up over a year later. Also, get some 'masters brush cleaner' as well as some natural turpenoid to clean your brushes with.

Harfoot · **Posted:** Sat Dec 21, 2013 11:05 pm

Only one brand I use

http://www.rosemaryandco.com/pure-kolinsky-pointed

Rosemary & Co series 33, brilliant brushes with great service and prices

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Sun Dec 22, 2013 11:53 pm

Harfoot wrote:

Only one brand I use

http://www.rosemaryandco.com/pure-kolinsky-pointed

Rosemary & Co series 33, brilliant brushes with great service and prices

Paul
Are the sizes on these brushes comparable to W&N Series 7 ?

Harfoot · **Posted:** Mon Dec 23, 2013 9:48 pm

Gandlaf the Grey wrote:

Harfoot wrote:

Only one brand I use

http://www.rosemaryandco.com/pure-kolinsky-pointed

Rosemary & Co series 33, brilliant brushes with great service and prices

Paul
Are the sizes on these brushes comparable to W&N Series 7 ?

Yes pretty much the same sizes, you can buy short or normal length handles.
I changed because the W&N brushes would not hold their point, I find the Rosemary brushes better at half the cost. Can't recommend enough.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Tue Dec 24, 2013 8:10 am

I'm getting near needing some new brushes so I will give these a try, thanks mate.

Harfoot · **Posted:** Tue Dec 24, 2013 7:02 pm

Let me know what you think of them

hollowcrown · **Joined:** Mon Dec 30, 2013 3:52 pm **Posts:** 164

Harfoot wrote:

Gandlaf the Grey wrote:

Harfoot wrote:

Only one brand I use

http://www.rosemaryandco.com/pure-kolinsky-pointed

Rosemary & Co series 33, brilliant brushes with great service and prices

Paul
Are the sizes on these brushes comparable to W&N Series 7 ?

Yes pretty much the same sizes, you can buy short or normal length handles.
I changed because the W&N brushes would not hold their point, I find the Rosemary brushes better at half the cost. Can't recommend enough.

What sizes do you recommend buying for miniature painting?

Might pick up a few from this company for my watercolour "on-paper" art too.

slayeroftrolls · **Posted:** Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:22 am

I always use the army painter's triple edge grip brushes. I find that it allows better control.

Harfoot · **Posted:** Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:14 pm

Hollowcrown -

I always use -

10 x 0 really fine for eyes
000 for fine detail
00 for general small areas
0 and 1 for larger areas

I tend to wear out 00 every 8 weeks of painting, use airbrush cleaner for a good weekly clean

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Fri Feb 14, 2014 4:30 pm

My brushes have finally given up the ghost. I've just ordered a 00 and 0 so I will report back my findings in comparison to Windsor & Newton series 7, my last brushes.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Thu Feb 20, 2014 4:35 pm

The first thing about these is the speed of delivery. I ordered on a Saturday and they arrived on Monday - very impressed.
I ordered the short handle brushes and they fit nicely for my fairly large hands, so again a thumbs up.
The bristles are quite long, so therefore hold a lot of paint. You have to spend a little more time ensuring the brush is not too loaded or you have the pooling issues.
Because the bristles are long they are great for blending larger areas.
The negative is the bristles don't hold their point brilliantly. If they are kept wet then they are ok.
In a nutshell I see these as a good alternative to Windsor and Newton series 7, if money is the issue, but unfortunately they are not as good, but are not too far off to make them a no go.
I am more than happy to be using these at present.

Alternative paintbrushes ?

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