I’m looking at getting some new brushes and I’m somewhat overwhelmed at the variety. I want some good brushes for small detail painting in cockpits and such, as well as a brush for dry-brushing. If anyone could explain to me what sizes would be best, synthetic vs natural, what brands are best, where to get them, whether expensive brushes are worth the investment or just get reasonably priced ones… really any info you can provide that will help me choose a good selection of brushes. Any input you have will be greatly appreciated
Some synthetics don’t play well with enamels or lacquers, and are for water-based paints. You need a variety of sizes, not so much of a variety of shapes.
For dry brushing I just use old brushes of the type I ordinarily use for regular brushing. I do reserve these for dry brushing once I select them for that use, since dry brushing can be a bit hard on bristles. I sometimes to cut the length of the bristles for dry brushing. Glad you are thinking of that technique. Dry brushing seems to have fallen out of favor a bit in modeling these days.
I get mine from my local Michaels craft store, which has a 40% coupon in ads almost every week. I do not buy the more expensive ones from the “painting” section, I use the cheaper ones from the craft painting section. Good enough for me.
Derek, I’ve been wondering this same thing. I use the small brushes mainly for painting detail on scale figures and the occasional control panels on spaceships, cars, etc.
I’ve bought the expensive (to me, $5ish) brushes from the artist painting sections in Michaels, HL, Joanns. All the different kinds synthetic, sable, etc. The tips of ALL of these bend, curl, fray, etc after just 1-2 uses!!! Impossible to use for fine detail.
Evidently Kolinsky sable is used in the higher end brushes. I’ve heard good comments about Windsor-Newton. At about $20 each for even the smallest brushes I’ve been hesitant about buying any. I would like to know if these really are that much better!
As far as dry brushing goes just use old brushes you have retired from painting instead of throwing them away. You could also buy one of the “bonus” packs of brushes where you get like 20 brushes for $5ish. Actually one of my favorite weathering brushes is a brush I cut down the bristles to almost a nub!
BTW, I do follow all the reccomened methods for prepping, cleaning, drying, storing, etc my brushes.
I’ve heard the same about Winsor and Newton brushes… but it’s a lot of money to commit to a single brush. You could buy a whole kit for the cost of a single brush. I’m curious to know if it’s actually worth it. The brushes I am currently using, which are $5 synthetic brushes from michael’s are OK… as in they get the job done but I still feel as if there are brushes that will behave much better. Even after first use they tend to lose their fine point.
agree 100%
Try another: Colour Shapers. Each shaper as a tool with a silicone tip. Apply oil, lacquer, enamel, or acrylic paint straight with a shaper, and then use it to carve back into the paint for a variety of texture and surface effects. The tool easily lifts paint from the surface or draws lines, contours, and edges on the color. Good art shops carry them.