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G'day Dakka community.

As I slowly (and expensively but hey) re-enter the hobby, I've been playing around with what brushes work for me. A friend initially let me use some of his Citadel paints and I have to say I actually enjoy using them. But they do certainly take some getting used to and therefore maybe a bit trickier to use than other brands. I started off with Army Painter ones and after a few hit-and-misses, their colourmFire Lizard, ended my use of those.

Brushes, though, I have been much more... dubious with. Years ago when I left the hobby, GW brushes were amazing for being hit and miss in quality. Some friends having used the same 2-3 brushes for years, some friends grabbing a new one every couple of months. I started off with Army Painter brushes and recently treated myself to some Winsor and Newton Sceptre Gold II. These are a blend of Sable and synthetic hair lending themselves to being longer lasting and firmer/stiffer. Jury's still out on these and I'll update as I use them. Did I have the opportunity to get the fabled sabled Series 7? Yes. Would one of those brushes cost me as much as the four I ended up buying? Yes!

So first, a note on sizing. I couldn't find a nifty chart comparing brush sizes unlike the myriad of tool for paint-brand conversion. So here's a quick one before I move on (sorry I am bad at forum-ing and couldn't work out how to make a nice table):

Size 4 - Army Painter Monster
Size 3 - Citadel M Base
Size 2 - Army Painter Regiment
Size 1 - Citadel S Base/M Layer
Size 0 - Army Painter Character - Citadel S Layer
Size 00 - Army Painter Detail - Citadel XS Artificer Layer
Size 000 - Army Painter Insane Detail
Size 0000 - Army Painter The Psycho

My experience with Army Painter. I own the Monster, Regiment, Character, Detail and Insane Detail. The Character brush was actually the last to enter the collection and it really completed the set for me. It's been a real work horse. The Insane Detail has been fine for me doing eyes but you have to work quick before the pain dries. As such I haven't felt the need to get The Psycho. I have also REALLY abused these brushes (to begin with) and they are still holding tips! They have semi-firm bristles which I am enjoying painting with. In my experience these are a great and cheap entry level brush that should last you aaaaages if you look after them and will easily take you to a parade ready standard.

My experience with Citadel. Has been confusing. Upon opening the brushes, the M Layer and S Base are effectively the same size. My S Base has firm bristle which I am enjoying using - this has become my go-to for bases, washes and first stage highlights! The M Layer, as soon as it gets some water or paint in it, splits. My S Layer very quickly became unreliable. It has developed a number of wayward bristles and I am more accurate with the S Base. The XS Artifacer Layer has been decent to use. Keeps it's point, semi-firm. Worth the $45AUD compared to the $11-12 of the Army Painter Detail? I wouldn't advise it.

My experience with the Sceptre Gold II's. Very limited right now and I will post more as I use them. But they are holding their tips, have good control of the paint and are firm, which I am enjoying painting with.

I've always enjoyed different brush types, but it's always the issue of what you need & what you need it for.

I do have some of the older army painter brushes, mostly the detail & fine brush selections.
I mostly use standard brushes for all things, and I've found myself needing fewer of them by the year. Save for some of the most specific ones, and when it comes to Dry brushes. I usually pull some from my older sets, cut them down, and used them for that.

I probably do 95+% of my painting with 2 brushes - size 2 and size 0 Rosemary & Co series 33.

I mainly use #1 round brushes. I found that these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NWSB41X/
Are super cheap and do the job I want.
Sometimes they need a bit of a snip at the tip to get it uniform, but they are so disposable I just toss them as soon as there is an annoyance.