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Okay, I'm at a point where I'm in need of a new set of brushes. I've used the GW ones earlier, and nothing wrong with them in my opinion, but I thought I'd try something new. Just because.

Army Painter has a range of brushes, are they any good? What other brands are there? What are you using?

Thank you

The only thing I can really contribute to this thread is to recommend the triangular grip brushes (if you know what I mean).

I can't remember the brand I have at home, the bristles are not good for fine detail but alright for slapping colour on, though the triangular grip is so much more comfortable than circular, especially for longer painting sessions. Not used the army painter brushes so can't comment on their quality or accuracy though iirc they have the tri-grip, so give 'em a whirl and see what you think.

I mostly use GW's 'eavy metal brushes which are alright though sold out in most stores now.

TBH, GW brushes are better quality than some other brands. You do pay a premium for brand name of course, but they truly are reliable, long lasting - if slightly expensive - brushes.

That said, going to any art store and picking up mid-price paintbrushes (5~8$ aus, usually) works a synch and has saved me when I couldn't get to a GW store.

Use rosemary brushes, They are a lot better than the GW and normally cheaper as well so why use a different brush.

I've used a couple of Humbrol's range from the hobby and model stores.
The orange handled ones don't keep their bristles together for long, and spread out quickly.
http://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/products-Humbrol-Palpo-Brush-Size-6_323427.htm
The red range have lasted me well for the past year.
http://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/ProductDetail.asp?ProductCatalogue=323420

GW's detail brush has been quite good, but the dry-brush clogged up in no time.

But, that's all just what I found. I store the brushes bristles up, and wipe them dry before storing them.

^ this is a silly comment.

The quality of a brush is hard to measure, you can't honestly and blatantly say "this is better than that" because really, each brush is different.

While I'm not saying USE GW, don't just assume it is crap because it is GW.

Why change 'just because'?!

If they work fine stick with them! The GW ones are actually some of the best around, and only ruin quickly when not looked after properly! Clean them well and keep the bristle protectors.

Skinnereal wrote:I've used a couple of Humbrol's range from the hobby and model stores.
The orange handled ones don't keep their bristles together for long, and spread out quickly.
http://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/products-Humbrol-Palpo-Brush-Size-6_323427.htm
The red range have lasted me well for the past year.
http://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/ProductDetail.asp?ProductCatalogue=323420

GW's detail brush has been quite good, but the dry-brush clogged up in no time.

But, that's all just what I found. I store the brushes bristles up, and wipe them dry before storing them.

I agree. Their drybrushes are worthless. However, it'd be better to get el cheapo's for drybrushing. Last less, but they do the job better.

Scipio Africanus wrote:^ this is a silly comment.

The quality of a brush is hard to measure, you can't honestly and blatantly say "this is better than that" because really, each brush is different.

While I'm not saying USE GW, don't just assume it is crap because it is GW.

I can tell you that the type of hair in the brush is higher quality. I have tried several brushes including GW ones.
The GWs ones started to split or acquire fish tail format after or during a squad of 20boyz and 10 tac marines.
I then switched to W&N series 7 miniature ones, which simply are the best brushes I have ever used. Once my number 1 started to have more problems holding the point I bought Rosemary ones. In my experience they are as good as good as the W&N but loss more hair.
I now paint mainly with the rosemary one since they are normal size bristles and the W&N I have is the miniature range which short bristles so hold less paint.
I painted an army of ~800pts of orks so far and it is still going perfect. For my experience that is a lot more than what I can say about the GW ones. If they were more expensive I would definitely say try the GW ones but if they are cheaper or same price with better quality hair I believe they are a better choice.
Not that GW ones are crap, I am not in any personal quest against GW. Don't have any problem in using their products either sorry if I give that impression.

On a partially related note (apologies OP if you think I'm 'jacking your thread) I got my GW tank brush out last night, I';ve barely used it, and the bristles are solid - as though they've been glued together (not by me!).

Does anyone know if this is normal as I can't really paint with it? It was quicker to get my standard brush out and have at a drop pod with that!

Dumb question perhaps, but did you clean it last time you used it? I forgot to clean a brush once and the next time I was gonna use it it was like a pencil.

I soak my stiff brushes for a while in hot water, then bend the bristles until the paint breaks off or washes away.
Not for too long, or in too deep, as the metal binding will expand and the bristles will fall out.

That hasn't helped with my GW drybrush, though.

The army painter ones are pretty good - I have used them and they are quite comfortable to hold. Like any brush, you can really prolong the life if you clean them and use brush restorer.

My tank brush (and come to think of it, small dry brush) have been like that from new, hence why I haven't really used them.

Soaked the tank brush in my water jar last night and broke the bristles apart (if it damages it too much it was useless anyway) though they're still rigid as hell.

So yeah, no idea why that is

Skinnereal wrote:I soak my stiff brushes for a while in hot water, then bend the bristles until the paint breaks off or washes away.
Not for too long, or in too deep, as the metal binding will expand and the bristles will fall out.

That hasn't helped with my GW drybrush, though.

Hot water is a bad idea, it loosens the glue holding the bristles in. much better to use brush soap and cold water.

To the op, rosemary & co series 33 are very good brushes, try getting a couple of small ones for detail work

I will mention - don't buy 'miniatures' brushes, watercolour ones are much better.
The difference is the watercolour brushes have longer bristles, allowing you to work with thinner paint at a better flow without blobbing up the brush.

The miniature brushes really are for stupidly tiny areas (dotting eyes etc). They're not worth the effort, as you can dot eyes with any brush that has a good enough point.

I just tried two of the Army Painter brushes this weekend and I quite liked them. I used the basecoat brush and the large drybrush and both did very well.

The basecoat brush is neat because it has a really long set of bristles on it, really lets you get into tight places and does a great job at covering.

One thing that I will recommend to anyone saying they are having problems with a brush from any company is this stuff - http://www.dickblick.com/products/the-masters-brush-cleaner-and-preserver/ - It is The Masters Brush Cleaner and it is amazing. It will bring old brushes back form the dead and if you use it every couple of weeks your brushes will last at least twice as long. I am still using the same GW Wash and Large Drybrush from when they first put out the new brushes a few years ago.