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Hi guys.

I am on the hunt for decent natural bristle brushes below the level of Winsor & Newton Series 7. I have two Series 7 brushes which I find that I don't use them very often due to concerns about taking care of them. I recently went through two GW brand brushes of the detail level variety that I liked but which did not last very long. I have found that using a brush cleaner for acrylic paints has given them a longer shelf life, but they've still lost almost all definition and become ratty at the ends.

I should note also that I am in Canada. I can still probably order from the US.

Second question: Has anyone else been having problems with the most recent line of GW paints drying out in their pots? I have found that even paints I have not used or barely used are drying out. It's leaving me debating dropping them as a line to paint with altogether. Is there a solution to the drying issue?

Thanks!

The series 7 brushes are very good, just get some brush soap and clean them in it well, hit youtube for tuts on that, once a week after cleaning put some hair conditioner onto them. Go ask wife/girfriend/mum whats the most expensive hair conditioner she has and use it (you only need a small blob). Let the conditioner sit on them for an hour or 2 and rinse it off with warm water, use your lips to get a nice fine point and pop the tube back on top and keep it safe. NEVER EVER left paint get all the way up the bristles to the ferrule (metal bit) and if it does get there wash the brush out straight away, funky tips, splitting hairs etc are caused by paint up in there.
My oldest series 7 is about 9 years or so and its still fine, as are quite a few older GW ones when they were pure sable ( black gloss shafts)

Yes - the new GW paints definitely have problems drying out. I took about a 10 year hiatus from the hobby and started painting again last year. A year later, a good portion of my new paint pots are on the verge of drying out despite maintaining them well (removing dried pant around the lid, etc.). I have some REALLY old GW paints from the 90's that have different pots and they still work fine. For paints that are drying out, you can bring them back to life just by adding a little bit of water and giving the pot a good stir/shake afterwards. Personally, I made the switch over to Vallejo for just about everything but metallics and haven't looked back.

With regards to your brushes, the series 7's are fantastic. I was considering buying them or the Raphael 8404's, which I believe have a bigger ferrule. For brush care, get some Masters's brush soap for them and clean them regularly as jeff200sx advised. The Master's only costs something like a dollar and will likely last you many years.

Hope that helps!

I was terrified of using my 7s as well, but they have held up really well. Master's brush cleaner and conditioner is brilliant, even added some life to my gw brushes.

As for paint drying, I move all my gw paint to dropper bottles, and then added flow aid and stop dry to them, really seems to have helped

Rosemary & Co. They're based in the UK, but their brushes are so inexpensive that you can get half a dozen, bought and shipped overseas, for the sticker price of a pair of Series 7s or 8404s. Not quite on the same level as the "big two," but still high quality and much more reasonably priced. I use both the Kolinsky Series 33 and the red sable Series 99 quite happily (search for the company name on Dakka - plenty of reviews to corroborate).

Would be good practice for brush maintenance (I also swear by Master's brush soap) to allay your fears about using the Series 7s, as they're well worth preserving but won't cost you as dearly if they bush out on you.

Professional Watercolour Sable Brushes

I like these brushes, also from Winsor and Newton. They're a step below the Series 7 but they're still excellent Kolinsky sable brushes.

GW paint pots get a lot of complaints of them drying out, though the new range hasn't been out long enough for me to hear much about the new ones doing much of it. That and everyone I know moved to other ranges such as Vallejo and P3 for many reasons. People that use GW paints often move them into dropper bottles for ease of use and protection from drying out.

 Yonan wrote:
GW paint pots get a lot of complaints of them drying out, though the new range hasn't been out long enough for me to hear much about the new ones doing much of it. That and everyone I know moved to other ranges such as Vallejo and P3 for many reasons. People that use GW paints often move them into dropper bottles for ease of use and protection from drying out.

Where would you find dropper bottles for this?

Ebay is the best place I've found, for example 50 30ml bottles for $10. Just search for "dropper bottle, empty, 17ml, 30ml" whatever size you want etc. iirc there's an online store for a large plastics company in the US that sells them that I've seen recommended, though I forget the name.

 oadie wrote:
Rosemary & Co. They're based in the UK, but their brushes are so inexpensive that you can get half a dozen, bought and shipped overseas, for the sticker price of a pair of Series 7s or 8404s. Not quite on the same level as the "big two," but still high quality and much more reasonably priced. I use both the Kolinsky Series 33 and the red sable Series 99 quite happily (search for the company name on Dakka - plenty of reviews to corroborate).

Would be good practice for brush maintenance (I also swear by Master's brush soap) to allay your fears about using the Series 7s, as they're well worth preserving but won't cost you as dearly if they bush out on you.

Oadie paints a clear picture! I agree entirely.

The Rosemary & Co have the added benefit of sharing the same "snap" character as the W&N's which is a big plus for me. I actually prefer them over the more expensive Raphael 8404 because of this. The R&C (and the W&N, for that matter) just have that level of resistance/feel that connects with me more. The fact they are less than a third of the price of the W&Ns when buying in multiples is an additional bonus.

Plus, they seem to be a cozy, friendly company that enjoys what they are doing. Just the kind of business it most warms me to support. Case-in-point: sometimes I don't just get the printed card thanking me for my business that is included with every shipped order; I also get a more informal but handwritten one on the invoice.

Nice, that.

Regarding shipping, I am in The States. My first order took 12 days to arrive. The subsequent ones all arrived in a week.

I have the original "new" GW paint set. I got it about a month after it came out or so. It's as old as the new set can be basicly. I have not had any problems with mine drying out. Come to think of it, I have not had any problems at all from them. You gotta open it, get what you need, shut it, and shake it.

I am sure there are other paints out there better or just as good, but no stores carry the other brands around where I live. I have heard P3 is good for 2 brush blending and doesn't chip or wear off as much on rub spots. I have heard GW is good for glaze, wet blend, and laying type styles of painting. So it's a matter of preference, gaming usage, painting style, and easy of access.

Sometimes paint does dry around the lip, but that only happens on the bottles that get used often, and those get replaced sooner than later. I just remove whatever I can get without making a mess and press on. I luckily have not had seal problems from that.

GW paint is a paint that you cannot paint out of the pot while leaving the lid open. It will dry out and fast that way.


-brush I use a Winsor 7 as well iirc. I paid like $25 bucks for it and I love it. Worth every penny IMO. Try to take care of it.

 Ghaz wrote:
Professional Watercolour Sable Brushes

I like these brushes, also from Winsor and Newton. They're a step below the Series 7 but they're still excellent Kolinsky sable brushes.

I actually bought a bunch of these from Blick Art Materials here in Philly. They're OK brushes despite being kolinsky sable, but I have found that they do not maintain their tips very well and are very prone to fraying, even with good maintenance. I actually found them to be of better use when using oil paints for washes and shading, although that's not what they were designed for. I think your best bet for a decent, cost effective brush would be Rosemary & Co. as oadie suggested if you're not ready to buy an 8404 or use your Series 7 brushes on miniatures.

+ 1 for Rosemary & Co, Im glad to hear that even with international shipping theyre worthwhile.
I've got a jar full of rosemary and co brushes... Series 33 kollinsky sables are the clear winners, series 401 sable blends make for cheaper brushes to abuse a little, Series 274 masters choice mongoose hair make the nicest drybrushes Ive ever used (albeit a little expensive for a drybrush), Series 101 red sables I like the handles, but found the bristles a bit floppy and weak, make great washing brushes though.

Definatly my fav brush maker, Windsor and Newton series 7's are still a touch nicer to use... but I'd take two series 33 R&C anyday

Edit; I also kitted out my nephew with a 00, 0 , 1, 2,and 4 of eacht he series 33, 401, and 101, and two sizes of 274, for less than the GW brush set... the only thing that I couldnt get from R&C was a stipple brush. Lol he's 9 he's almost guaranteed to wreck them but I got him brush soap to not use too xD But Why not learn with top quality when top quality is at these prices?!

Thanks for the replies folks!