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Hey guys, I'm looking to up my game in the brush department, I've been using army painter and GW's brushes and I'd like to get some really nice brushes for a change.

So with that being said, I know the W&N are really pricey brushes so I figured I better ask, but what sizes are the common sizes that I'd need. I've heard people say a #2 but what other ones are good to have?

Thanks!

What size brushes do you prefer?

I'd get a #2 and a #0

2 is bigger than a citadel standard brush, 0 is about the size of the fine detail brush. Don't be afraid of a big brush, they are surprisingly good at fine detail work as they keep an excellent tip

Don't get the miniature ones yet

kb_lock wrote:
What size brushes do you prefer?

I'd get a #2 and a #0

2 is bigger than a citadel standard brush, 0 is about the size of the fine detail brush. Don't be afraid of a big brush, they are surprisingly good at fine detail work as they keep an excellent tip

Don't get the miniature ones yet

so a 1 is around the size of a standard brush? I heard from most reviews that a 2 is the best "all around" brush to get.

What do you mean by miniature ones?

#1 and #2 are what I use 99% of the time. I do find 0 and 00 useful for eyes, lens flare and teeny-tiny places I can't reach with the other ones.

Yeah 1 is a standard brush. 2 is indeed the best all around brush, but it is larger than I was used to, and it took me a long time to really warm to such a large brush.

I have 00, 0, 1, 2, and 00m, 0m, 1m - I probably use the 1 and 2 the most, but the 0 is super handy.

The miniature ones are a certain type of W&N brush with shorter tips, can be handy for super small detail stuff, but doesn't hold a lot of paint, which is a pain.

thanks guys, so I'll look into a 0,1,and 2 . Yeah I like my brushes to hold a bit of paint so I think I'll stay away from the mini's then.

what is the best place to buy W&N in the states?

I'd buy a #1 for layering, glazing & basecoating. #00 for freehand and edge highlighting. Assuming you're working with 28mm miniatures.

I personally prefer Raphael 8404 brushes to Winsor Newton Series 7's, and they are a little cheaper too. Not everyone may feel the same way though.

MitchellTyner wrote:
What do you mean by miniature ones?

W&N sells a line of "miniature" brushes. By "miniature", they mean itty bitty paintings, not man-dollies.

 Minimachine wrote:
I'd buy a #1 for layering, glazing & basecoating. #00 for freehand and edge highlighting. Assuming you're working with 28mm miniatures.

I personally prefer Raphael 8404 brushes to Winsor Newton Series 7's, and they are a little cheaper too. Not everyone may feel the same way though.

I was going with the WN because I heard they were the end all be all for good brushes. How are the Raphael and what are their differences?

You won't regret it, W&N are great brushes.

D

MitchellTyner wrote:

 Minimachine wrote:
I'd buy a #1 for layering, glazing & basecoating. #00 for freehand and edge highlighting. Assuming you're working with 28mm miniatures.

I personally prefer Raphael 8404 brushes to Winsor Newton Series 7's, and they are a little cheaper too. Not everyone may feel the same way though.

I was going with the WN because I heard they were the end all be all for good brushes. How are the Raphael and what are their differences?

The Raphaels have lighter handles, the brushes have bigger bellies so they hold more paint, and -in my experience- they have slightly finer points. Mostly I prefer that they feel more nimble in my hand. I suggest trying a Raphael 8404 size 0 and seeing what you think.

 Minimachine wrote:

MitchellTyner wrote:

 Minimachine wrote:
I'd buy a #1 for layering, glazing & basecoating. #00 for freehand and edge highlighting. Assuming you're working with 28mm miniatures.

I personally prefer Raphael 8404 brushes to Winsor Newton Series 7's, and they are a little cheaper too. Not everyone may feel the same way though.

I was going with the WN because I heard they were the end all be all for good brushes. How are the Raphael and what are their differences?

The Raphaels have lighter handles, the brushes have bigger bellies so they hold more paint, and -in my experience- they have slightly finer points. Mostly I prefer that they feel more nimble in my hand. I suggest trying a Raphael 8404 size 0 and seeing what you think.

why the 0 over a 1 or 2 which i'd probably use more?

MitchellTyner wrote:

 Minimachine wrote:

MitchellTyner wrote:

 Minimachine wrote:
I'd buy a #1 for layering, glazing & basecoating. #00 for freehand and edge highlighting. Assuming you're working with 28mm miniatures.

I personally prefer Raphael 8404 brushes to Winsor Newton Series 7's, and they are a little cheaper too. Not everyone may feel the same way though.

I was going with the WN because I heard they were the end all be all for good brushes. How are the Raphael and what are their differences?

The Raphaels have lighter handles, the brushes have bigger bellies so they hold more paint, and -in my experience- they have slightly finer points. Mostly I prefer that they feel more nimble in my hand. I suggest trying a Raphael 8404 size 0 and seeing what you think.

why the 0 over a 1 or 2 which i'd probably use more?

Raphael brushes are a little larger than Winsor Newtons so a Raphael #0 is equivalent to a WN #1. A Raphael #1 may suit you just fine, I personally find the Raphael #2 is too large for fine detail work.

I get the most out of my #1 and #00

 Desubot wrote:
I get the most out of my #1 and #00

I'd agree with that

If I had to take 2 brushes, I'd definitely get 1 and 00. If I were to take 3, I'd add a size 0. The size 2 and 3 don't get much use for me because at those sizes, I often use a flat or filbert instead. On infantry-sized miniatures, they often just get in the way, and take too much paint to load up.

It's worth noting that brushes last the longest when you paint with their edges rather than their points - though having a sharp point is very important, and one of the nice features of the S7 brush. I think it's also worth noting that great brushes really make the finished product that much better than mediocre brushes; it just makes the job a little easier. Not that it isn't worth the money, because I think if you're really into the hobby, it's definitely worthwhile and you owe it to yourself to have nice tools (and besides, they last a really long time); it's just that a top end sable brush isn't going to make drastic improvements in the finished work or suddenly make lumpy white basecoats butter smooth.

 Talys wrote:

 Desubot wrote:
I get the most out of my #1 and #00

I'd agree with that

If I had to take 2 brushes, I'd definitely get 1 and 00. If I were to take 3, I'd add a size 0. The size 2 and 3 don't get much use for me because at those sizes, I often use a flat or filbert instead. On infantry-sized miniatures, they often just get in the way, and take too much paint to load up.

It's worth noting that brushes last the longest when you paint with their edges rather than their points - though having a sharp point is very important, and one of the nice features of the S7 brush. I think it's also worth noting that great brushes really make the finished product that much better than mediocre brushes; it just makes the job a little easier. Not that it isn't worth the money, because I think if you're really into the hobby, it's definitely worthwhile and you owe it to yourself to have nice tools (and besides, they last a really long time); it's just that a top end sable brush isn't going to make drastic improvements in the finished work or suddenly make lumpy white basecoats butter smooth.

I heartily agree with everything you said Talys, except to add that I noticed my work improve significantly when I began using my first Winsor Newton Series 7. By making everything easier it was the difference for me between attempting more ambitious blending & freehand techniques and giving up in frustration. I personally feel that owning a Winsor Newton Series 7 or Raphael 8404 is the best investment anyone can make in this hobbby, followed perhaps by a really good lamp.

On top of what Talys and minimachine said i keep old brushes for thinks like base coats, varnishes and large wash brushes. I try to use my good S7 brushes when necessary. They make a ton of difference.

I would not get the brushes name miniature if possible. I like the longer hair ones as they hold more paint.

Well I feel a little better about spending this amount of money on some brushes after you guys have talked about it. Anyone from the states can tell me where the best place to buy them from online? I don't have a painting store within two hours of me so I'll have to order online.