MamaGeek Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 So what are the best online sellers of quality Kolisky sable paint brushes, particularly Da Vinci Maestro and/or Windsor & Newton Series 7? I know that DickBlick.com sells both, but shipping is expensive. The same goes for Amazon.com. Are there any other sellers with good prices? That don't charge just as much for shipping as they do for the brushes themselves? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heisler Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I have always used DickBlick online, I don't consider their shipping to be to outrageous but then I usually wait until there is a fair amount that I want to buy or call everyone else in the group and put together an order that way. They are hard to beat for brush prices. But if you find another good source certainly let us all know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Just throwing in another option, the Reaper brushes are really good too, I picked up a #1 and #2 Kolinskys (in their case the black handled ones are the natural hairs) and they work really well, also I think above $30 is free shipping so if you throw in a few minis maybe it balances out. Also as another option, I used to work for Pearl Art & Craft before they decided to go catalog/online orders only and they have (or at least they did while I was working there) a really wide selection of artist grade brands to choose from. They were to artists what Michaels is to crafters. I haven't tried ordering anything yet from them online, but back when they were brick and mortar they blew Dick Blick and Utrecht Art Supply away. Not sure if the NYC one is still in existence but I know their base was in Florida. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Lead Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Dick Blick is my go-to for brushes normally, but since I fell in love with Raphael brushes I buy mine at Secret Weapon Miniatures: Raphael Brushes $3 First Class postage for domestic purchases under $30. $5 for over $30. (Which you might do given their nice weathering powders and washes. ) Later, Laszlo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serenity Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 You could try Dakota Art Brushes. They have a fixed charge of $5 for shipping. They have da Vinci Maestro, but not W&N. They also have Escoda, Isabey, and Raphael Kolinsky brushes. I've only used them once, but as I recall they got them to me quickly and in good shape. They were having a clearance sale and their website wasn't set up to show what was out of stock, so I ended up with just a couple synthetics in that order after they emailed to tell me the Kolinsky brushes I was after were sold out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaGeek Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 Thanks for all the suggestions! I do appreciate it. I'll check out all those sites that have been mentioned. Anne, I own a couple of Reaper sable brushes, and they are nice. They're actually what I'm using now, since I ruined my W&N brushes using them to apply brush-on primer (dumb newbie mistake). I did like my W&N brushes better than the Reaper ones, though, and I've heard really good things about Da Vinci Maestro brushes (that's what Jen Haley uses), so I'd rather go with one of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercius Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 I either buy series 7s from Dick Blick or I use Games Workshop Sables. The GW Sables are pretty cheap, 6 bucks I think and last about 6 months...so a decent alternative to expensive brushes and I find them to work almost as well...but not quite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkstar Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Well I'll throw my hat in as well since I have to go through this soon and it's been on my mind. I buy my brushes from dickblick as well. I bite the bullet on shipping like everyone else but the way I look at it is, they've got great prices on those brushes so if you buy a few at a time, it averages out per brush to not be so bad. And if you take care of your brushes with some "The Master's Brush Cleaner and Preserver" (preserves the tip so nice) those brushes will last you long enough that you won't really feel the sting of shipping until another five years if you're good to them. I've got to order from them in a couple weeks, buying about 30 dollars in brushes and some matte medium, so the shipping, it won't be so bad. They've got a store about an hour and half from here, but the cost in gas would be way more than the shipping anyway so I don't bother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artists Wren Posted July 14, 2011 Artists Share Posted July 14, 2011 I usually shop art supplies at Dick Blick if it's something that's not available locally. (And good brushes in our sizes fall into that category.) I've occasionally had a mistake with my shipment or a bad brush, and they've always been very good about addressing the concern - prompt, thorough communication, and quickly sending out the replacement items. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyHorde Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 +2 for Dick Blick - one online order, one store visit, zero problems. -1 for Dakota Art - one order, mostly FAIL Favorite: Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinksy Sable Pointed Round, size zero or one. My $0.02. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaGeek Posted July 15, 2011 Author Share Posted July 15, 2011 I owned W&N Series 7 brushes and they were the favorites of my brushes so far, but if I have to buy new brushes, anyway, I think I may try a different brand, and see if I like them better. I can always go back to W&N when the new ones wear out, if I don't like them as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltique Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 I get mine from http://www.creativecoldsnow.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOON Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 I found this site from a blog about comic tips and tools. They mentioned a sale that's long since over, but there may be others in the future. http://www.aswexpress.com/discount-art-supplies/brushes-palette-knives-and-accessories/watercolor-brushes/winsor-and-newton/series-7-kolinsky/miniature.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anastrianna Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 I stick to Amazon and Dick Blick. I have W&N Series 7 brushes: 1, 0, 2/0, 3/0. The 3/0 is my fav followed closely by 2/0. I bought these in 2004 and they are still going strong! And though I am ashamed to admit it since I now know better but I have never used anything special to clean/care for them. I have just washed them with mild soap from time to time. Just my 2 cents! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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