"Pro Arte Brushes?" Topic

Anyone tried or are using the Pro Arte Miniature Painting range of brushes.

Whats your views?

I tried out the Series MP for a few months a couple of years back..

Very comfortable in the hand with their triangular grip but being synthetic another one of those types likely to 'hook' with regular use.

I use mine now for drybrushing very small areas.

Windsor and Newton Series 7 are my goto brushes.

I used them, but really only suitable for block painting because, as Fat Wally says, their tendency is to hook at the tip. Invest in some W+N series 7; saves money in the long run.

I've used them but wouldn't recommend them for the tip hook reason. Why they continue to make brushes that can have this issue is beyond me.

If you want a good budget brush the Series 99 by Rosemary and Co is exceptionally good value. It's never going to match a W&N Series 7 for quality but for blocking in they are worth testing.

I really can't recommend W&N Series 7 enough.

W&N Series 7's are THAT good.

However, I fully support what Timmo has said about the Rosemary and Co Series 99. Seems to occupy the middle ground between quality and value for money.

This subject keeps coming up and the answer is always the same.

Maybe Bill should add it to the FAQ's

Gildas Fact : spot on.

I have 3 W&N brushes and I am still afraid to use them. Too expensive and while I do take care of my brushes….

Thanks guys.

Must have seen W&N 7s over the years and subconsciously ignored them due to the price. I get brushes from the local art shop as and when I need them so they would no doubt be twice the price I normally pay, judging by the RRP as advertised.

Hooking is definitely a pain and seems to happen so quickly too even with the lower quality W&N brushes. However, I suppose it depends on you painting talent eventually. That's to say if you have the skill to make a real use of the quality as opposed to just getting by.

Guess I'm in 45thdiv's camp if I'd shelled out the going rate for W&N7s I'm not sure l would get them wet !

45thdiv and Trajanus,

Use them, they can take it. Honestly I've had my current WN brushes for over a year, and I paint a lot.

As long as you practice good brush care you will find they will perform better and outlast cheaper brushes.

One thing I use on all my brushes, is a brush cleaner. I use it maybe once a week on my WN, more on crap brushes I use for drybrushing.

This is the cleaner I use:
link

Cheers, Xin/Jeff

Thanks Jeff. I have that brush cleaner too. Once I finish up a large terrain project I am working on, I will take out the good brushes for a spin.

Matthew

OK – Original dumb question!

Do you clean your brushes in the pot, over and over, or decant a small amount and dispose of it after use?

I clean in a jar of luke warm water with washing up liquid, then rinse off in jar of cold water. When the water begins to go cold or look dirty I replace it with fresh.

I base 15mm figures on sticks of 8-10 figures and rinse brush after each stick.

Ah! Sorry my question was in relation to the Cleaner/Restorer shown above.

As it happens the Amazon guy turned up in the meantime and I've worked it out for myself now I know the product is in solid form – you use it the container like old school shaving soap!

Also, try Pink Soap. It's a liquid soap and conditioner. Rinse your brush then dip and let dry. Before painting, rinse the brush. Also, have two rinse jars, as well as a separate rinse jar for metals. I just use leftover disposable plastic containers for rinse jars and throw them away if they get too gunky.

I paint to advanced tabletop, and I frequently flatten the brush to apply highlights. I also use washes. You don't need a W&N for this. I do have size 00 W&N and Raphael 8404 for detail. For metals, I use cheap disposable Sable Nail Art brushes from Amazon. They haven't hooked yet, although metal has gotten into the ferrule. I think since I use natural hair brushes, I don't have hooking. Also, remember to use a wet palette!

I was very impressed with this brush cleaning method, as I am with most of the content of this series of YOuTube guides. Luke is great!

YouTube link

Forgot to add that:

"The Masters Brush Cleaner & Preserver" (shown above) turns out to be an excellent product, so thanks to Jeff for the heads up!

Went for the 1oz size which looks like it should last for a while.