"The Stupid, It Burns!" Topic

I've been an idiot, and a cheep idiot at that. I bought… hang on let me brace myself to admit this…
I bought Games Workshop Brushes.

I feel dirty just writing that down. These are without a doubt the worst brushes I have ever owned. I don't know if this was just a bad batch or if they are usually this bad but after just a couple of uses I'm ready to throw the lot in the bin.

I formally wish to apologise to the gods of painting and hereby promise never to do this again. Ahmen.

BigLee
blmablog.com

As pennance you should go forth and purchase good brushes from a reputable dealer. I despise their brushes. I swear the hair on their brushes comes from a curly-haired swamp rat, which they then straighten with chemicals to put it into the brushes, and then sell them. The minute they hit water they curve, turn, and "fuzz" in various directions!

Never had a problem with them myself. Of course, I only use their base coat brushes. For any and all detail work I spend the big bucks and get Windsor Newton Series 7 "0" and "1" brushes and they last for years and hundreds upon hundreds of miniatures.

I always buy Winsor and Newton Series 7s. They are expensive but the set I have look good as new after three years of heavy use. I wanted a second set of brushes for my travel painting kit and went all cheep on myself. I've wasted £20.00 GBP instead of investing £50.00 GBP in a set that will last years.

I'm not into GW bashing for the sake of it, but in this case I'll make an exception.

For the price, GW brushes really aren't bad. I usually keep a couple on hand for general use though I use WN7 brushes for all of my important work. If you want good brushes you have to pay for them. It's as simple as that.

Yep GW brushes for general work and another vote for Windsor Newton Series 7. I use the O and 1 sizes as well. I keep an old worn out WN series 7 #3 for washes and such. Cheap brushes are a false economy.

I bought some two years ago… Good brushes at a decent price.

I also use Winsor & Newton Series 7. The GW brushes don't last quite as long…

but they aren't bad.

Joe Collins

Keep the brushes for priming (if you use paint-on primer) or drybrushing. No sense in throwing them away. You've already spent the money on them.

The only GW tool I've ever purchased was their pin vice. I actually liked that best of about seven different types that I've used over the last few years.

I've had really fantastic results with Loew-Cornell brushes, believe it or not. They're cheap on the spectrum of brushes but they don't go all wonky on me and they hold their shape really well.

I do have several Winsor Newton brushes as well. They get a fair amount of use.

I still have some GW brushes I bought back in the late 90s that are still holding up.

As above, my GW bushes have lasted well. But, you do need to check them to make sure that them hold a point as the quality can vary.

My old school red handle GW brushes are still chugging along just fine, although i use my WN series 7 for detail work. I haven't like the new GW brushes since the blue handle series.

Maybe I am wrong, but I see fewer rats in the subway these days. Probably has nothing to do with GW brushes…

I miss the old school GW brushes, they were some of the finest I've ever used.

And to be fair, I have been tempted by the new GW brushes… they sometimes look so nice sitting there in their display.

Best brushes I've used and I say that as someone who is no GW Fan boy. I Always use GW brushes, and get good results. As someone else said I always check them in store first as you occasional get a duff one.

I saw on the news about a guy who lives near a fracture drilling site,and he can actually light his tap water on fire. I thought it was going to be a similar topic to that by the title.

My nephew is quite a good painter and he's used GW brushes for years and swears by them.I myself wouldnt touch them for all the flaming tapwater in the world.

The best brush I ever owned was a GW brush, which I got for cheap when a chap was unloading his stuff. Excellent brush, lasted forever, really bummed when it finally died. However, none of the other GW brushes I've had has been more than so-so.

Three words, Winsor, Newton and 7, well two words and a number.

Two years ago I bought all the brushes I'd ever need when a little shop was clearancing out. $60 USD for hundreds of find tip brushes.

I have however tried GW brushes. Was not impressed with them, but it's not a problem with them so much as it is that they conflict with my painting methods.

Been painting figures since the 70s. Used to buy model paint brushes out of the rack at the hobby store, except they stopped restocking, so I went to the art store and picked them out by shape and size (OK price too). Been thinking of brushes as 4 flat, 3 round, 1 pointed, 0, 000, etc ever since.

I still remember my shock in the 90s when I discovered not only did GW have the gall to NOT STATE THE SIZE of their brushes, coupled with the plain arrogance to TELL US HOW TO USE THEM, but that modelers ACTUALLY FELL FOR IT.

Never tried the brushes actually. I suppose it's possible they work okay.

@Ceru Love your comments!

Have you looked at a recent copy of White Dwarf? The painting tutorials now get very specific about such things as "Now use your GW Emery Boards (tm) and and GW Flash Mould Line Remover (tm) to…". rofl

They also make reference of which of their brushes to use on painting projects (still don't give specific size details though).

I guess dollar store emery boards, a simple file, and WN paint brushes won't work on their models. ::snark::

- – - – - – - – -
Author's note: I do understand and appreciate the need for GW to market their products--profit is what drives their company's survival--I just find it a little hard to swallow when looking at their magazine articles.

W&N here, too.

I have used only GW brushes and still have some after ten years. There is a secret to maintaining a sharp point.

With proper care you can paint small figures (15mm) with the larger brushes from GW (tank brush).

Cheers,

I have three that were thrown in (literally) with some ebay purchases, each one was revived and remains in service and have stood up quite well. It was a surprise to me but I cannot deny credit where it is due, they have made great second string brushes. da Vinci still hold the front line for me.

regards
dave

@terrement LOL Kenitried chicken? We got the best NYC style delis on the world! Whats a KFC?

I have a few of the old red GW brushes still working. I prefer WN 7's but I still use the GW for some tasks. I have not used their new line of brushes though.

I brought one once (1993ish) and said never again, but the 5 I got free with issue 1 of their LotR game magazine were great (though they are all in the drybrushing box now of course).

Robert

I paint everything with GW brushes, and like them.

Pat

Thanks for all the great feedback.

Judging from some of the experiences here (and from comments on my Blog) it does look like the latest 'edition' of their brushes are nothing like the quality of older ranges. I have a set of old GW brushes (the blue ones) that have long since been relegated to drybrushing duties, and even they are in a better condition than my new (black) ones!

I live and learn. I should have just paid the extra and bought the W&N 7's that I know and love. What possessed me to 'go cheep' is beyond my understanding. I was weak. It wont happen again.

BigLee
blmablog.com

Suck it in Princess, we live and learn.

EM4 Sable Brushes.. Great performance for a reasonable price.

As for brushes.. how many use a proper artists brush soap?

If you use, non synthetic brushes, brush soap is essential. It not only cleans out paint pigment and carrier from the bristles. It also conditions, the bristle surface to give better paint retention and more even distribution..

I never used the stuff, till I was told about it by a painter. I now use, "The Masters Brush Soap".. and its brilliant.

Also you can revive paint clogged brushes with it too.. not to perfect, but good enough to use for base coating and for scenery or even dru brushing.

Well worth the investment.

I will have a GW original brush from my Gloden Demon paint set with white top pots, that still use today. Given I bought it in 1992 and it was soon clogged solid. I tried out the brush soap on it and it now serves once more as a brush for mixing and blending paints.

I don't use "Artists Brush Soap", but I use liquid hand soap on mine and it makes a HUGE difference. I'm still a crappy painter, but it ain't the brushes!

Bullethead