Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I picked up the gameswork line of brushes as a starter for my forays into the world of painting but I have issues with the bristles forking into 2 "brushes". Is this a user failure on my part as a newbie painter? Or is it more of a common problem/brush quality issue. Its quite annoying when trying to do small detail stuff or trying to be careful around other colors. Any advice on improving my skill and/or brush care would be appreciated!

Tends to happen fairly often with the lower quality brushes they sell (you wouldn't know it by the price they charge though).

Head to an art store and pick up a couple of Sable (Kolinsky or otherwise) brushes or order them online from an art supply house like Dick Blick.

Bristles separating like that is also a sign that paint has seeped into the ferrule (metal part) and is driving them apart. Be careful not to use too much paint, once it gets into the ferrule, it is effectively ruined.

Also, try using some Masters paint brush cleaner. It is relatively inexpensive and can "magically" repair some brushes.

I used cheap brushes for my first year. Then I got sick of forks and curled tips. So I looked for a while and settled on this.

http://www.secretweaponminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29&products_id=112

Do not regret it in the least. The brush has the sharpest tip, and you can tell really quickly how spending a little extra was well worth it.

While we're on the subject of brushes...I've been told there are stiff brishes where say 90% of the bristle is stiff and only the last 10% has that soft brush feel and flex to it. Do these exist and what are they called? Seems like that would be perfect for fine detail without have to worry to much about surrounding paint areas.

If you want your brushes to last, a good brush cleaner is vital. Cleaning your brushes after every time you use them, as soon as you are done with them, is also necessary to increase their longevity.