"GW Starter Brush: Equivalent?" Topic
11 Posts
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grommet37 | 21 Apr 2014 12:12 p.m. PST |
Hello gamers. My first two brushes are the GW/Citadel "Starter Brush" that I got with their Hobby Starter and "My First Paint Kit" sets. They work pretty good for me, because I have no point of reference for tiny brushes for painting models. I have a couple of questions, though (as always). Are these synthetic? They have a nice bit of snap, and seem easy to clean. What size are these, really? They seem a bit small for basecoating, and a bit big for fine detail. Can you recommend some beginner brushes that would be better for basecoating and for fine detail? Can you recommend replacements for these "Starter" brushes? I may get very used to using them, in the interim. I'm working in nominal 15mm size, and 1/100 scale, so brushes for that size/scale are what I'm most interested in. I can always buy cheap "chip" brushes for painting larger things like game mats and such. I won't be painting any GW product, at least not this year. I have far too much generic 15mm SF stuff to get through. Thanks, as always, for your experience, insight, and info. Cheers. |
MrHarold | 21 Apr 2014 12:28 p.m. PST |
My favorite brush is my Winsor Newton Series 7 Size 2. If you take care of it by cleaning it, not letting it rest on the tip, etc it should last you a long time. I would also recommend getting a 0 and 00. |
legatushedlius | 21 Apr 2014 1:42 p.m. PST |
Can't beat the Winsor and Newton Series 7 (as originally designed for Queen Victoria!) Each one is hand made so they are expensive but they are the best. I use a 000 and an 00 for most work with a 1 and a 2 for larger areas (e.g. horses) I use enamels so they don't last very long (about 2 months)but if you use acrylics I expect they will last a lot longer. |
Lion in the Stars | 21 Apr 2014 2:04 p.m. PST |
The GW Large Brush is equivalent to a W&N Series 7 #3 (standard size, not the shorter-bristled "Miniature" line). GW small brush is a #1. Fine Detail is a #00 iirc, but you won't need one that small. I haven't EVER used the #00 brush I bought 7 years ago, the #1 has a fine enough point that it just isn't necessary to use anything smaller. I can use my ~7 year old #3 for painting eyebrows today. If you're going to drop the $$ for Series 7s, make sure you pick up a brush cleaner tank and some brush soap. I use a Silicoil tank and "The Masters" brush cleaner, bought the whole mess from dickblick.com This isn't to say that I don't use synthetic brushes. I have a good bunch of synthetic brushes, and I usually use them for oil paints or drybrushing (depends on the size). I am not about to beat a $40 USD brush up by drybrushing, and to be honest the GW drubrushes have better bristles for that job anyway. W&N Series 7s have very flexible bristles, too soft for drybrushing. |
MrHarold | 21 Apr 2014 2:08 p.m. PST |
I am not about to beat a $40 USD USD brush up by drybrushing, and to be honest the GW drubrushes have better bristles for that job anyway. W&N Series 7s have very flexible bristles, too soft for drybrushing. Very much agreed, The only GW brush I still use is my small drybrush and large drybrush. |
Angel Barracks | 21 Apr 2014 2:45 p.m. PST |
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Twoball Cane | 21 Apr 2014 7:01 p.m. PST |
00 size I get whats on sale
.. Best investment is a jewellers magnifying goggles or any such device
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Fat Wally | 22 Apr 2014 3:06 a.m. PST |
I almost always use Series 7's too but recently have had excellent results using the much more reasonably priced, highly recommended, Rosemary and Co Kolinsky sable Series 33 and Series 92. |
artbraune | 22 Apr 2014 4:33 a.m. PST |
@Lion in the Stars – thanks for the nice comparison and review. |
TheWarStoreSweetie | 23 Apr 2014 8:56 a.m. PST |
I use Windsor Newton Series 7 brushes and Vallejo drybrushes for drybrushing. |
Andy ONeill | 28 Apr 2014 3:30 a.m. PST |
I've tried all sorts of brushes. The thing you want for your best detailed brush is kolinsky sable, made by a skilled brush maker. Rosemary & Co, Raphael and Windsor Newton series 7 are very similar. Of these, I find R&Co are usually cheapest so I buy from them. I get the series 22 because the bristles are longer and it takes longer before paint builds up at the ferrule. I never use anything finer than a size 0. If you do, then buy a cheap red sable brush. There's effectively no difference when you get to so few bristles. For some detail work like fine stripes I like the artificial mongoose. These have a soft point which copes with folds and stuff on the miniature better. Also good for subtle overbrushing in small areas. For blocking in, staining and overbrushing I like squirrel R&Co 42. These are sort of mops really holding loads of paint. Because they're soft with very little spring this makes overbrushing easier and quicker. And they're relatively cheap. I bought size 1 through 4 last time I bought some. For texture like wood grain I will sometimes just split a lightly loaded big squirrel by tapping the point straight on to my palette and then draw across the subject painting the whole thing in one. Also for a stippling like approach to give random texture on a big area. I very rarely dry brush as such. Overbrushing does the same thing quicker and with less damage to a brush. |
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