Magdalena Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Ok, I want to get some nice, new brushes and I was wondering how good the reaper and sable brands are, or what other good brands are out there...I've been using random brushes I buy from craft stores around here, but most of them tend to wear out really quick. I have one brush which I've had forever, not sure what kind it is, all the paint has chipped off of the handle, but I'm looking for some more detail brushes that will last me for awhile. I normally like semi-stiff brushes, not way to soft, but not extremely stiff...any recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastman Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 The most common recommendation you will get are the Winsor & Newton Series 7 (or Series 7 Miniature) Kolinsky Sable brushes. They have a very sharp point and with proper care (brush soap or conditioner treatments) will hold up to a couple of years of use (I started using mine nearly 3 years ago, the 1 and the 0 will probably need to be replaced this year). A good source is the Blick chain - http://www.dickblick.com/zz050/02/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magdalena Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share Posted February 8, 2007 The most common recommendation you will get are the Winsor & Newton Series 7 (or Series 7 Miniature) Kolinsky Sable brushes. They have a very sharp point and with proper care (brush soap or conditioner treatments) will hold up to a couple of years of use (I started using mine nearly 3 years ago, the 1 and the 0 will probably need to be replaced this year). A good source is the Blick chain - http://www.dickblick.com/zz050/02/ Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorderl Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 I started with the cheaper brushes then came across Vallejo Paint Brushes, they work very well for me. I also own a single W&N 7, size 1 and it works very well. I purchased it afterwards really just to own one. The link below is to Miniature Market, I've purchase many times from them and they have excellent service thou my current Vallejos where not purchased from them, they do carry them along with the Reaper brushes which I've not used. http://www.miniaturemarket.com/painting_supplies1 ERL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorderl Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 I just came across this and figure I share it, it can't be so bad to be compared to a W&N 7 http://slappingpaint.net/brushes_I_use.html ERL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angorak Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 I use the vallejo sables and also I have several of the reaper sables which are nice. You can't really go wrong with the W&N series 7 though and usually you can find those at a greatly discounted price from some of the online suppliers like Blick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattmcl Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 The only brush I use is a W&N Series 7, #0. I have others, but this does everything I need, even eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristof65 Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Since this topic is already about brushes, and Magdalena is also a colorado resident, I'm going to hijack her thread: Does anyone happen to know if Meiningers at 5th & Broadway in Denver carries any good brushes. EDIT: Never mind, finally found their website, and yes, they carry the W&N Series 7 brushes. A bit more expensive than Blick, but not if you factor in express shipping from Blick vs local pickup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilesuck Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 EDIT: Never mind, finally found their website, and yes, they carry the W&N Series 7 brushes. A bit more expensive than Blick, but not if you factor in express shipping from Blick vs local pickup. I would actually pay a little more to buy from a brick and mortar store then have them shipped to me. W&N 7 brushes still get damaged during shipping or are shipped straight from W&N with imperfections. When I worked at an art store and series 7 brushes would come in, we would water test each brush, and wind up sending about 30% back to W&N because they were bad. Always test your brushes at a shop, but that is my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristof65 Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 I would actually pay a little more to buy from a brick and mortar store then have them shipped to me. W&N 7 brushes still get damaged during shipping or are shipped straight from W&N with imperfections. When I worked at an art store and series 7 brushes would come in, we would water test each brush, and wind up sending about 30% back to W&N because they were bad. Always test your brushes at a shop, but that is my opinion. That's good to know. So how would you go about water testing a brush and what are you looking for while you do so? Keep in mind that until recently, I didn't think a brush made that much of a difference, as long as it's bristles were straight and not falling out. Of course, I drybrushed a lot, which is rough on brushes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilesuck Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 That's good to know. So how would you go about water testing a brush and what are looking for while you do so? Keep in mind that until recently, I didn't think a brush made that much of a difference, as long as it's bristles were straight and not falling out. Of course, I drybrushed a lot, which is rough on brushes. If they are a good store, they usually will have a cup of water out, or one available if you ask. Wet the brush like you are painting with it, then run it on your hand, paper, a mini you brought with you. Watch to make sure the tip doesn't curl in an odd way or direction, that the bristles stay together fairly well (of course if you try it on a mini take the bumps and crevasses into account for the brush), watch for split ends (yes brushes have them too) and the one that will happen very rarely with a series 7, a loose ferrule. I do this testing on any brush I buy, not just for mini's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristof65 Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattmcl Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Also, play with it enough so that the bristles lose the point. Then wet the brush, and snap it against your finger- like you are trying to flick the water onto someone. The bristles should form into a perfect point. If not, the brush is either not clean or it is damaged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastman Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 EDIT: Never mind, finally found their website, and yes, they carry the W&N Series 7 brushes. A bit more expensive than Blick, but not if you factor in express shipping from Blick vs local pickup. I would actually pay a little more to buy from a brick and mortar store then have them shipped to me. W&N 7 brushes still get damaged during shipping or are shipped straight from W&N with imperfections. When I worked at an art store and series 7 brushes would come in, we would water test each brush, and wind up sending about 30% back to W&N because they were bad. Always test your brushes at a shop, but that is my opinion. I test when I buy (since I go to a real Blick store in Schaumburg), but the good online dealers at least claim they will replace any brushes not up to quality standards. I haven't bought brushes online, so I haven't put them to the test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All-Terrain Monkey Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Dick Blick guarantees full replacement or refund for their brushes online; I've never gotten a bad brush from them, and I've bought quite a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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