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.

The idea of a good densely bristled rounded brush just for drybrushing is quite appealing but they’re quite pricey.
Has anyone tried them?
How do they compare to the Army Painter drybrushes?

Haven't used them myself, but from what i've seen/heard from a few people have used the 'D' (?) series brushes, they work fine, but you can achieve the same results with much cheaper rounded make up brushes.

Which is what the artis opus drybrushes are, just with a fancy logo and chunky price tag.

Drybrushing will be hard on any brush. So I'd never pay a premium for a dedicated drybrush. And I'm a W&N Series 7 guy.

I've seen the Artis Opus videos on Youtube and thought the brushes looked nice, then i saw how much they were! I got a set of these from Rosemary and Co https://www.rosemaryandco.com/oil-brushes/hog-bristle-oils/hog-bristle-domed-round Would have been under a tenner if the minimum order wasn't £10!

Spending a large sum of money on tools which will get deliberately ruined isn't a very good idea.

I'd go for higher end brushes only where it really counts, and even then I'd get proper brush soaps etc for them.

YMMV as usual

I use the citadel dry brushes, at about 3.50 pounds a go I think they are worth it. Better than using flat or round brushes IMO. Clean them with a good brush soap to make them last longer.

Make up brushes get the vote from me. You can get sets with flat and round heads for a fraction of the price at chemists.

Buy a rounded make up brush and try it out. You can get a premium one for $6.00.

The amount of cosmetic products that are super useful in mini painting continues to astound me

From everything I've seen, they're simply rebranded and VERY overpriced make up brushes. Specifically powder or blush brushes.

I mean it's really not that different. Painting a face vs. painting a model, it's mostly a matter of scale.

Fire_Forever wrote:
From everything I've seen, they're simply rebranded and VERY overpriced make up brushes. Specifically powder or blush brushes.

I mean it's really not that different. Painting a face vs. painting a model, it's mostly a matter of scale.

I can wash my face with nuln oil?

That would be a particularly expensive facial cleanser, which considering the price of some health and beauty aids, is saying something.

mrFickle wrote:
The amount of cosmetic products that are super useful in mini painting continues to astound me

There is a reason why women tend to be better than men at painting miniatures when they first start out compared to men when they first start out. Something gives them a head start. I've always thought that it was their use of cosmetics.

Save your money and get a cheap drybrush. Spend for the workhorse brushes. ( A #2 or #1 Raphael 8404, Davinci Maestro or W&N and a 0 or 00 for really fine detail)

mrFickle wrote:

Fire_Forever wrote:
From everything I've seen, they're simply rebranded and VERY overpriced make up brushes. Specifically powder or blush brushes.

I mean it's really not that different. Painting a face vs. painting a model, it's mostly a matter of scale.

I can wash my face with nuln oil?

It says non-toxic on the bottle. Only one way to find out!

mrFickle wrote:
There is a reason why women tend to be better than men at painting miniatures when they first start out compared to men when they first start out. Something gives them a head start. I've always thought that it was their use of cosmetics.

That's a reasonable correlation. So is the fact young girls are more likely to be encouraged into 'arts and crafts' type activities, where boys are pushed into sports more often, especially as they get older. Girls are more likely to be praised for making something pretty or aesthetically appealing. All of that is bollocks, but it's as undeniable as the fact toy aisles get segregated into pink/purple/white and red/blue/black most of the time. Makes me sad because art should be for everyone at all ages. Gendering activities is stupid.

I have the army painter ones - best brushes I ever bought for drybrushing

Make up brushes.

Why pay $8 for a brush that will last maybe a month of hard dry brushing when you can get makeup brushes for $1 each and will last just as long?

I went to Dollar Tree and got a 3 pack (diff sizes) for $1. That was 2 months ago. Have dry brushed 60 poxwalkers and 90 Bloodletters and they are still usable.

Yes I got the set and they blow my mind.
They are not like make up brushes, when used with a texture pad and dampening pad they are amazing.
Go check their youtube, they will show you why they are great.

I bought a set out of curiosity too. I haven't painted a lot yet but they are very nice to work with and haven't shown any signs of deterioration. I am happy with my purchase.