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Made in gb
Fresh-Faced New User




Relatively inexperienced painter, can't say im very good, but I enjoy it and can consistently achieve a tabletop standard. BUT im quite hard on my brushes, can anyone recommend a good place to buy some decent replacement brushes from, and could anyone give me any tips as to how to maintain them to prevent having to replace them every 2-3 months?
   
Made in gb
Frenzied Berserker Terminator




Southampton, UK

Well worth investing in a pot of The Masters brush soap
   
Made in us
Gargantuan Gargant





Binghamton, NY

I'll heartily second getting yourself a little puck of Master's, although there are a number of viable alternatives, when it comes to brush cleaners/restorers/preservatives. Equally, if not more, important is how you use and clean your brushes. Rinse frequently during painting, avoid excess pressure, use cleaners as a preventative (as opposed to a repair), etc.

Being on the other side of an ocean, though, I can't recommend local stores/brands for quick and easy acquisition of replacements. Normally, I'd recommend a cheap brand of a similar material type (i.e. natural, Taklon, etc.) that behaves more or less like a quality brush you might use, then tell you to practice use and maintenance.

As an exception in your specific case, being in the UK, I'll suggest Rosemary & Co. Amazing brushes (although not the very best, they're certainly up there) and surprisingly cheap, especially considering the quality. Definitely above craft/gaming store fare in use and resilience, while costing the same or less (significantly, in some cases). They're my go-to brushes... and I had to pay transatlantic shipping to get a sampler.

The Dreadnote wrote:But the Emperor already has a shrine, in the form of your local Games Workshop. You honour him by sacrificing your money to the plastic effigies of his warriors. In time, your devotion will be rewarded with the gift of having even more effigies to worship.
 
   
Made in gb
Been Around the Block





Rosemary and Co Series 33, size 0,1,2 would be a good start. Very good quality, excellent value.

https://www.rosemaryandco.com/watercolour-brushes/pure-kolinsky-sable/pure-kolinsky-pointed

Mine are coming up to a year of heavy use, and they're still as good as new. However, there are two things I do that keep them in good condition. First thing is that I don't use my good brushes for drybrushing, mixing, metallics, basing or anything else that can be rough on them. Go to the Works, B&M, or similar and buy a multipack of cheap brushes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Use these for jobs that would knacker your good brushes.

Second, I have a pot of Masters Brush Cleaner that I use after most painting sessions. This is how I use it:
1. Clean excess paint off the brush with just cold water.
2. Use one of the cheaper (big) brushes to work up a bit of a lather on the Masters.
3. Lay the good brush on a sponge or cloth.
4. Using the cheap brush that is covered in Masters, brush the soap into the bristles of the good brush (from the base to the tip).
5. Reform the shape of the good brush and leave coated in Masters until the next session.

   
Made in us
Gargantuan Gargant





Binghamton, NY

Don't forget about the Series 99 - the 33's younger, slightly less pretty sister. They're a somewhat more generic red sable blend with a slightly different shape (fatter belly, little bit shorter). I use my #2 s.99 as my main workhorse, sometimes to the complete exclusion of the ostensibly nicer s.33s. Since they cost less (or at least no more) than most 'art brand' synthetics, you can afford to be a bit rougher with them. I still baby mine, but an irreparable accident wouldn't be as big a hit as, say, a Series 7 or 8404 at 3-5x the price.

The Dreadnote wrote:But the Emperor already has a shrine, in the form of your local Games Workshop. You honour him by sacrificing your money to the plastic effigies of his warriors. In time, your devotion will be rewarded with the gift of having even more effigies to worship.
 
   
Made in us
Nurgle Predator Driver with an Infestation





Any brush will do when you start out painting. It's the way you care for them is what's important. Golden Demon winner James Wappel uses arts and craft brushes.

YOUR SUFFERING WILL BE LEGENDARY, EVEN IN HELL 
   
 
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