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So my GW brushes are starting to get frayed so I need to buy new ones. I learned about taking care of brushes, and so I decided I should get some nice quality brushes. I'm gonna go with the Raphael 8404 series, I just don't know what brush sizes I need. I'm not sure how the sizes match up with the gw brushes.
I used the standard brush and the fine detail brush, what would be the equivalent?

Also what's a good brush size for base coating?

Edit: one more question. Would a brush cleaner tank be a good idea? If so what's a good one?

0 and 1 are just about all you need with a Raphael.

As to a cleaner tank? Never used one.

lettuceman44 wrote:
So my GW brushes are starting to get frayed so I need to buy new ones. I learned about taking care of brushes, and so I decided I should get some nice quality brushes. I'm gonna go with the Raphael 8404 series, I just don't know what brush sizes I need. I'm not sure how the sizes match up with the gw brushes.
I used the standard brush and the fine detail brush, what would be the equivalent?

Also what's a good brush size for base coating?

Edit: one more question. Would a brush cleaner tank be a good idea? If so what's a good one?

As stated before, a size 0 and 1 would be a good place to start. I also use a size 2/0 for any extra fine detail. And really, depending on the size of what you are basecoating, a size 0 can pretty much do everything. I rarely use my size 1 brush since all priming and most color work is done with an airbrush, but I still like to keep it handy just in case.
You don't need a "brush cleaning tank" to take care of your brushes, just some sort of brush soap/conditioner would be fine. The golden standard is The Master's Brush Cleaner & Preserver and is readily available in big-box arts/crafts stores.

Cool, I think I'll go for a 0 and 1 then.
Already know about the masters so I think I'm all good now

lettuceman44 wrote:
Cool, I think I'll go for a 0 and 1 then.
Already know about the masters so I think I'm all good now

In addition to the masters brush soap, I'm a huge fan of Windsor and Newton's brush restorer (you can find it on amazon for less than local). I use it about once every few months and it desolves acrylic paint without killing your expensive brushes. Just make sure you only put your brushes in up to the ferrule or it will eat the paint right off the handle... then rinse thoroughly and use the masters to restore the point and recondition the hair.

I've got quite the selection of brushes collected up over my time but on the whole I find myself painting with a size 0 most of the time. Commonly used are 00, 0 ,1, 2, 3, 4, pointed round kollinsky sables for 'normal' painting, flat size 2 and 4 and angular 3/8" mongoose hair for drybrushing, if theyre too small, airbrush is probably my tool.

edit
http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/item-winsor-&-newton-series-7-brush-set-(4).htm
This sets a nice saving on getting them individually