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In my what seems to be an endless list of questions of returning to the hobby in over nine years, as I prepare to paint up my first models I see my brushes needs replacing. looking at the Citadel Brush sets, maybe I am cheap but they seem expensive nowadays. looking at the brushes, they really don't give a size, just a description. So, using the standard brush sizes what are comparable replacements for these Citadel brushes?

Citadel Fine Detail Brush
Citadel Detail Brush
Citadel Standard Brush
Citadel Basecoat Brush
Citadel Large Brush
Citadel Wash Brush
Citadel Stippling Brush
Citadel Small Drybrush
Citadel Medium Drybrush
Citadel Large Drybrush.

Whelp, I really like the Citadel Drybrushes and the Stippling Brush. I highly recommend those.

As for other brushes to use, I swear by my Windsor Newton Series 7 brushes, they are more expensive the GW equvilants but they are amazing. As for size, I use typically 0, 00 and 000 sometimes I also use a 1.

If you have really good brushes (series7, Kolinsky Sable Rounds) then the 000, 00 and arnt really required. Because the quality is so good, the point is sharp on all sizes. Plus, the tiny, weenie brushes hold very little paint anyway.

For example, a bad quality brush you may need the 000 for super detail. On a really good brush you can use a size 1 or more.

Visit your local art shop. Ask them for their best brushes for water colour paints. Get a size 0, 1 and 2 (around that, I have a size 3 I just love). Also get some brush cleaner. Otherwise no point in getting good brushes. Clean, clean, clean.

Dont buy GW brushes. You pay too much for the quality they give (IMO).

In regards to price, because we use small size brushes they're not really that expensive. Now, if you need a size 12 brush (and you won't) you can pay $200+. Ha, crazy. With a size 1 you can pay around $20. This is fine, they last ages if you look after them and they're so nice to use.

I am a big fan of the Army Painter brushes. Several of their brushes have a 3 sided handle instead of the traditional round one. Not only does the design make the brush much more comfortable (IMHO), but it also prevents the brush from rolling around.

As i remember it, I think a Standard Brush is around a 1

Yes, don't buy Citadel Brushes. If you have them already, then it's okay. But never purchase them if you want quality and you want to save money.

And as for shopping for brushes, you don't need a whole lot. Usually you just need a fine detailing brush, a brush a bit bigger than that to fill little bit bigger area, a small flat brush, and a small drybrush (which you can easily obtain by buying a cheap, synthetic brush). When painting tanks and bigger figures, just buy a bigger flat brush.

All,

I appreciate the replies- they have been invaluable. So, I went shopping after work today. So here is my adventure.

I hit Hobby Lobby. First time I had been there in years! Seems more "lobby" and less "hobby" nowadays, as I had to check to make sure I walked into a hobby store. It was all interior decorating junk.

So, I found some brushes, made a purchase. I got 1 and 2 rounds and a pack of three flat brushes for dry brushing vehicles (got drop pods to paint). Came to $18.12. they were Royal and Langnickels "Majestic" like these, but seemed like less expensive ones. They had no 0 rounds. The had a house brand called "Master Touch" that drew my attention- called Mini Multimedia Brushes. The were shorter and had fat handles and felt very comfortable, but those brushes had most been ravaged so I decided to pass- protective sleeves where missing and brushes were already had fanned or bent bristles. So I headed for home...

I went to the end of the strip mall and there I saw, on the corner, and art store call "blick". I wasn't 100% happy with hobby lobby so I thought what the heck. Man, I hit pay dirt.

Almost any brush you could imagine in any price range, and I was actually speaking with a person who had a master in the arts and was a painter. Lots of good advice. I walked out with 4 brushes, a bit more expensive. They are made by Baler-Browney, Robert Simmons Expression series. I understand, not the highest quality brushes but they had the same comfortable feel I like from the Hobby Lobby brushes, and they are pretty inexpensive for what I got. I got a 0, 1, 2 and 1/4 angled shader for medium dry brushing applications. I will be back there to purchase my brushes for certain.

Now, to attempt to reconstitute by paints!

Thanks all,

Ted