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Hi guys, I know it's probably been asked a billion times just a quick one, I want to invest in a decent brush set for my Death Korps Of Krieg and I have decided on Windsor and Newton series 7 as per recommendations. Just want to know what sizes to get (looking for detail, med layer brush, fine detail etc, nothing tank sized or too tiny) and do you know if there are any good value sets that they do for those sorts of sizes?

Thanks guys!

Don't know about sets, but if you can order individually (and postage etc. doesn't screw you) there's very little you can't do with a #1, so I would advise getting 1-2 of those to start, and get more later if you feel the need.

Maaaaybe a #2 for large areas or a 0 for really small stuff, but to be honest a #1 with a good tip is small enough for eyes, buttons and all the other bits and bobs on most GW stuff.

Add a small pot of brush cleaner too, it'll save you loads over the years.

I think I've got some brush cleaner but I've always been paranoid about bending the delicate bristles or breaking the paintbrush or something, thanks for your advice much appreciated I'll pick some up as soon as I get paid!

I use The Masters Paintbrush cleaner and preserver and I am really satisfied. It can actually resurrect a damaged brush and turn it into a decent tool.

As per the paintbrush.. I see people around goes absolutely crazy about W&N. I did not tried them yet, but i think any Citadel brush will do. I started with GW detailbrush and any random larger brush that i Used for Base Coat and Wash.

You want the full sized 7 series, rather than the miniature version (I made that mistake once when not paying attention).

Size 2 for basecoats, size 1 for most things including detail, size 0 for fine detail.

Master's brush cleaner.


HOWEVER, as you're in the UK give Rosemary & Co's 33 series brushes a look (they're based here, so negligible postage when buying direct). They're about half the price as W&N 7s and damned near the same in terms of quality (maybe slightly less durable over time). I use them to do the majority of my painting. There's also Raphael 8404 series to consider. These top end brushes are much of a muchness though, the price and convenience at which you can acquire them being the main variable.

 DalinCriid wrote:
I use The Masters Paintbrush cleaner and preserver and I am really satisfied. It can actually resurrect a damaged brush and turn it into a decent tool.

As per the paintbrush.. I see people around goes absolutely crazy about W&N. I did not tried them yet, but i think any Citadel brush will do. I started with GW detailbrush and any random larger brush that i Used for Base Coat and Wash.

Sorry, but the weight of public opinion is right on this. In the hierarchy of paint brushes there is daylight between W&N 7s and GW brushes, unless you're talking about the GW Artificer ones which are just W&N 7s re-branded and priced higher..

 sockwithaticket wrote:
You want the full sized 7 series, rather than the miniature version (I made that mistake once when not paying attention).

Size 2 for basecoats, size 1 for most things including detail, size 0 for fine detail.

Master's brush cleaner.


HOWEVER, as you're in the UK give Rosemary & Co's 33 series brushes a look (they're based here, so negligible postage when buying direct). They're about half the price as W&N 7s and damned near the same in terms of quality (maybe slightly less durable over time). I use them to do the majority of my painting. There's also Raphael 8404 series to consider. These top end brushes are much of a muchness though, the price and convenience at which you can acquire them being the main variable.

 DalinCriid wrote:
I use The Masters Paintbrush cleaner and preserver and I am really satisfied. It can actually resurrect a damaged brush and turn it into a decent tool.

As per the paintbrush.. I see people around goes absolutely crazy about W&N. I did not tried them yet, but i think any Citadel brush will do. I started with GW detailbrush and any random larger brush that i Used for Base Coat and Wash.

Sorry, but the weight of public opinion is right on this. In the hierarchy of paint brushes there is daylight between W&N 7s and GW brushes, unless you're talking about the GW Artificer ones which are just W&N 7s re-branded and priced higher..

Well I am sorry too, but I've seen youtubers doing absolutely amazing stuff using totaly anonymous brushes.
Will try W&N soon thou. ATM i have their Russian Equavilent - Nevskaya Palirta and they are a bit better than ordinary Cidatel/Army Painter Brushesh.

 DalinCriid wrote:

 sockwithaticket wrote:
You want the full sized 7 series, rather than the miniature version (I made that mistake once when not paying attention).

 DalinCriid wrote:
I use The Masters Paintbrush cleaner and preserver and I am really satisfied. It can actually resurrect a damaged brush and turn it into a decent tool.

As per the paintbrush.. I see people around goes absolutely crazy about W&N. I did not tried them yet, but i think any Citadel brush will do. I started with GW detailbrush and any random larger brush that i Used for Base Coat and Wash.

Sorry, but the weight of public opinion is right on this. In the hierarchy of paint brushes there is daylight between W&N 7s and GW brushes, unless you're talking about the GW Artificer ones which are just W&N 7s re-branded and priced higher..

Well I am sorry too, but I've seen youtubers doing absolutely amazing stuff using totaly anonymous brushes.
Will try W&N soon thou. ATM i have their Russian Equavilent - Nevskaya Palirta and they are a bit better than ordinary Cidatel/Army Painter Brushesh.

Respectfully, that's nowhere near the same as saying "any Citadel brush will do". When someone's asking for brush advice, precision is vital. I've used some random, unbranded brushes from Wayland Games that were quite good and got some very decent work out of, but they're not a patch on any of the top end brush companies and I wouldn't for a moment suggest otherwise. Besides which, getting something that looks good with poor tools is by no means impossible, but that's not a reason to avoid getting better tools if you can.

 sockwithaticket wrote:

 DalinCriid wrote:

 sockwithaticket wrote:
You want the full sized 7 series, rather than the miniature version (I made that mistake once when not paying attention).

 DalinCriid wrote:
I use The Masters Paintbrush cleaner and preserver and I am really satisfied. It can actually resurrect a damaged brush and turn it into a decent tool.

As per the paintbrush.. I see people around goes absolutely crazy about W&N. I did not tried them yet, but i think any Citadel brush will do. I started with GW detailbrush and any random larger brush that i Used for Base Coat and Wash.

Sorry, but the weight of public opinion is right on this. In the hierarchy of paint brushes there is daylight between W&N 7s and GW brushes, unless you're talking about the GW Artificer ones which are just W&N 7s re-branded and priced higher..

Well I am sorry too, but I've seen youtubers doing absolutely amazing stuff using totaly anonymous brushes.
Will try W&N soon thou. ATM i have their Russian Equavilent - Nevskaya Palirta and they are a bit better than ordinary Cidatel/Army Painter Brushesh.

Respectfully, that's nowhere near the same as saying "any Citadel brush will do". When someone's asking for brush advice, precision is vital. I've used some random, unbranded brushes from Wayland Games that were quite good and got some very decent work out of, but they're not a patch on any of the top end brush companies and I wouldn't for a moment suggest otherwise. Besides which, getting something that looks good with poor tools is by no means impossible, but that's not a reason to avoid getting better tools if you can.

You are right. I completely agree.

Funny, when I first started out I could say easily with hindsight any old brush will do at first while just learning.
After wearing out some 8 or so brushes I got a W&N #7 box set and it was a noticeable difference to me which in the past I would not have believed.
The thing is, you need to be "mature" enough to take care of them and they will last for years, if unwilling to be careful with maintenance, they are not worth it at all.
Oddly, I am coming back to the artificial brushes when it comes to 00 sizes or smaller because they hold together to a finer point (holds less paint however).
The nail brushes are getting into some interesting designs.
Considering you can buy 100 of them for .35 cents a piece that can be the other end of the spectrum.

I think the selling feature for most tools I decide to use is: will the company that supplies them be around for decades?
You will get used to a certain tool and work best with it's features and quirks.
If you cannot get replacements because the company no longer makes that model or the company is out of business you will have to adapt to new equipment.
The W&N #7 has the benefit that I could not foresee them changing in any significant way for years to come.

 DalinCriid wrote:

 sockwithaticket wrote:

 DalinCriid wrote:

 sockwithaticket wrote:
You want the full sized 7 series, rather than the miniature version (I made that mistake once when not paying attention).

 DalinCriid wrote:
I use The Masters Paintbrush cleaner and preserver and I am really satisfied. It can actually resurrect a damaged brush and turn it into a decent tool.

As per the paintbrush.. I see people around goes absolutely crazy about W&N. I did not tried them yet, but i think any Citadel brush will do. I started with GW detailbrush and any random larger brush that i Used for Base Coat and Wash.

Sorry, but the weight of public opinion is right on this. In the hierarchy of paint brushes there is daylight between W&N 7s and GW brushes, unless you're talking about the GW Artificer ones which are just W&N 7s re-branded and priced higher..

Well I am sorry too, but I've seen youtubers doing absolutely amazing stuff using totaly anonymous brushes.
Will try W&N soon thou. ATM i have their Russian Equavilent - Nevskaya Palirta and they are a bit better than ordinary Cidatel/Army Painter Brushesh.

Respectfully, that's nowhere near the same as saying "any Citadel brush will do". When someone's asking for brush advice, precision is vital. I've used some random, unbranded brushes from Wayland Games that were quite good and got some very decent work out of, but they're not a patch on any of the top end brush companies and I wouldn't for a moment suggest otherwise. Besides which, getting something that looks good with poor tools is by no means impossible, but that's not a reason to avoid getting better tools if you can.

You are right. I completely agree.