Reliable US-based Brush Source?

[The Joe]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a fairly reliable, online, store to source quality brushes from.  By that I mean getting genuine Kolinsky Sable brushes (DaVinci & etc) that are packed with a bit more care than your average Amazon warehouse would give them.  There are far too many negative reviews when it comes to Amazon's handling of the brushes, often with them showing up severely bent or otherwise damaged.

 

All suggestions are welcome, provided they are shipping from somewhere within the continental US.

 

Thank you. 

[R2ED]

First pick is always your local art store (because they need you).  I use Dick Blick arts for a lot of my online buys. They run specials a lot! 

[K2h2m3]

I've only ordered from them once but it was a good experience, Blick art.

[rubegon]

I use Raphaels and gave up on finding a good US source for them.  Blick is always out of stock of the sizes I need.

 

I ordered from Jackson’s Art Supplies last time not realizing they were in the UK and they were awesome.  Prices in USD, fast and reasonable shipping.  They have a great selection too.

Edited October 30, 2021 by rubegon

[haldir]

8 hours ago, R2ED said:

First pick is always your local art store (because they need you).  I use Dick Blick arts for a lot of my online buys. They run specials a lot! 

 

Yah, the last couple times, I've been over in Eugene, I always make sure to stop at Oregon Art Supply. I've picked up a couple brushes that are fantastic to use. They aren't W&N or Raph's but they are fine quality brushes that work with acrylics & minis.

[ManvsMini]

1 hour ago, rubegon said:

I use Raphaels and gave up on finding a good US source for them.  Blick is always out of stock of the sizes I need.

 

I ordered from Jackson’s Art Supplies last time not realizing they were in the UK and they were awesome.  Prices in USD, fast and reasonable shipping.  They have a great selection too.

 

Jackson's is great, never had a problem with them shipping from the UK. Otherwise, as everyone else says, Blick is probably the most reliable and accessible for most brands in the US. If you have friends that paint and need brushes, put everything into one order to save on shipping.

 

@rubegon Have you ever tried the Raphael-Kaerell synthetics (orange-handle)? They are pretty good, and while not the same as a Raph sable, I like the way they handle. A good source for those is a place called The Brush Guys. Cheaper than Blick, and shipping was better. Only ever had one problem with them, and that was probably a packer error: one order had a size  2, which their website marks as "02" and got sent a "00" brush instead of the 2. Now I just make sure for any brush to specify in the comments that I want "size 0, 1, 2 and not 00, etc."

[rubegon]

3 hours ago, ManvsMini said:

 

@rubegon Have you ever tried the Raphael-Kaerell synthetics (orange-handle)? They are pretty good, and while not the same as a Raph sable, I like the way they handle. A good source for those is a place called The Brush Guys. Cheaper than Blick, and shipping was better. Only ever had one problem with them, and that was probably a packer error: one order had a size  2, which their website marks as "02" and got sent a "00" brush instead of the 2. Now I just make sure for any brush to specify in the comments that I want "size 0, 1, 2 and not 00, etc."

I haven’t tried them, but I’ve been looking for a good synthetic brush to complement the sables. I’ve been using WN Cotmans but not really in love with them.  I’ll check those out - thanks!

[The Joe]

Thanks to all for the help!  I don't have a local art store anymore (COVID killed it) so I'll check out your other suggestions.

[WhiteWulfe]

I'll also mention Jackson's Art Supplies, although I'm Canadian.  It can sometimes take a bit to get here (4 weeks has been the worst), but they have really nice prices especially on Raphael brushes...  I can get my 8404's for half the cost I would locally. 

[rubegon]

If ordering from Jackson’s check out their brush protector tubes.  They sell long pieces you can cut to length in a couple different diameters.  They’re only a few bucks and nice to have if you like to put protectors on your brushes. I eventually lose the ones they come with or would rather have longer ones.

 

[Rignes]

I've never bought brushes from Cheap Joes, but they have Kolinsky Sable on their website and I know others here have spoken highly of Cheap Joes in general.  Maybe others here can comment with more certainty.

[Wren]

I've ordered from Dick Blick, Jerry's Artarama, and Cheap Joe's for years, and continue to buy from all three. I don't know for 100% sure if I've purchased brushes from all of them because I'm forgetful. I have ordered brushes from Jerry's. I know for sure that I've ordered brushes from Dick Blick because I once had that exact problem - they didn't package the brush well and it was smushed on delivery. I notified them and was sent another. The same thing happened, leading me to believe that the manufacturer of the brush didn't ship their product with those little plastic brush protectors. I notified them and was sent a third, and was fine. I also had a shipment where something was missing from my package and they made that right, as well.

 

Winsor & Newton Series 7 are shipped from the company with both brush protectors, and inside a plastic tube, so they should be a reasonably safe order from anyone. (I do buy mine local when I can, I have a great local art store, but they don't always have the size I want and do not carry the Series 7 Miniature line and occasionally I need one of those.)

[rubegon]

On 10/30/2021 at 6:19 PM, ManvsMini said:

 

A good source for those is a place called The Brush Guys. Cheaper than Blick, and shipping was better. Only ever had one problem with them, and that was probably a packer error: one order had a size  2, which their website marks as "02" and got sent a "00" brush instead of the 2. Now I just make sure for any brush to specify in the comments that I want "size 0, 1, 2 and not 00, etc."

So I ordered some of their Raphael Kaerell synthetics and picked up a couple of Raphael Precision synthetic travel brushes in sizes 0 and 1, but something weird happened.

 

The brushes were packaged perfectly and shipping was quick and cheap, but the no. 1 precision brush is super chonky!

 

 

The “1” is as thick as the Kaerell no. 6!  I emailed them about it.  Seems like the brush was labeled with the wrong number at the factory or something?  It’s also really short compared to the 0.

 

 

That Kaerell 6 is now the biggest mini painting brush I own - basecoats in 1 brushload!

[ManvsMini]

10 hours ago, rubegon said:

So I ordered some of their Raphael Kaerell synthetics and picked up a couple of Raphael Precision synthetic travel brushes in sizes 0 and 1, but something weird happened.

 

The brushes were packaged perfectly and shipping was quick and cheap, but the no. 1 precision brush is super chonky!

 

10 hours ago, rubegon said:

The “1” is as thick as the Kaerell no. 6!  I emailed them about it.  Seems like the brush was labeled with the wrong number at the factory or something?  It’s also really short compared to the 0.

 

That is extremely weird. I've never used the Precision synthetic line, just the Kaerell synthetics. But I find it quite ironic that a brand named "Precision" is mislabeled. *snicker*

 

When you emailed them, did they offer to fix it? I hope the Kaerells work well for you, do share your thoughts!

[rubegon]

13 hours ago, ManvsMini said:

 

 

That is extremely weird. I've never used the Precision synthetic line, just the Kaerell synthetics. But I find it quite ironic that a brand named "Precision" is mislabeled. *snicker*

 

When you emailed them, did they offer to fix it? I hope the Kaerells work well for you, do share your thoughts!

I know - it’s such a weird defect too because it seems like the brush handle was cut too short too.  I emailed them late on Friday, and haven’t heard back yet.  I’ll post an update when I do.