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I just started painting my first squad and I've already more or less ruined two of the paintbrushes from my Citadel set.
The bristles are going in all directions.

I don't know what it is I'm doing that's causing this.

Anyone have any idea how I can avoid this? I mean, I'm obviously doing something VERY wrong!
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Buy some decent brushes at a hobby store or fine arts supply...

Most brushes if being used alot should last 2 months....

Mileage may vary with how much love you give them...]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4041623.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4041623.page GMT
Remember to always remember to clean you brush after you finished using them. Also clean them every so often. A good time is when the bristles are separating.

As Agamemnon2 said, don't put to much paint on the brush, small amounts of paint at a time are best.
]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4041636.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4041636.page GMT Here are my tips for pointy brushes:

Dip the brush in water and soak with a paper tissue before dipping it in paint, otherwise the paint will dry in the bristles.

Dillute thick paint or the same as above will happen.

Try not to touch the tip of the brush with your fingers, the fat of your skin will prevent it from soaking up water and paint properly. If you need to shape the tip, use a paper tissue.

Good luck and may your paint brushes live long!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4041661.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4041661.page GMT
Clean/wash you brush waaaay more often than you think is necessary. Don't just wash you brush when you switch colour. Say, you are painting the faces and hands of Guardsmen. Wash you brush every time you have painted the faces/hands on three models.
If you are base coating a model rinse your brush every minute (at least).
It takes but a few seconds, and it will extend the life of your brush immensely.

Use an old/worn-out/dedicated brush to do washes and drybrushing.

It goes completely without saying that you shouldn't paint by "stabbing" the paint unto the model. Use real brush strokes.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4041683.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4041683.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4041708.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4041708.page GMT
Good thing is that you can use these (wrecked brushes) as stripling brushes. I still have an old (wrecked) standard brush that I use to stripple. So it's not all bad!

Also as people have said clean proper cleaning of brushes can make them last longer.

What people have not yet mentioned is that Vallejo sells a brush restorer.

I was going to buy it to save a fine detail brush, but I thought I would do more research. About 3 months later I haven't done that yet! In the end I just bought another brush! It might be worth it if you do some research though, I might regret buying a new brush.
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http://www.amazon.com/The-Masters-Brush-Cleaner-Preserver/dp/B001TNR7VM/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1331990219&sr=8-10]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4041784.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4041784.page GMT
Maybe there is hope for my remaining brushes after all ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4041789.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4041789.page GMT GW brushes will last pretty long if used correctly. I'm still using a standard brush that's lasted of over 4 months of painting (and I paint a lot)]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4041892.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4041892.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4042301.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4042301.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4042685.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4042685.page GMT IMO as necessary for painting as a cup of water. The stuff is seriously that good.

Also, get yourself some Rosemary and Co Series 33 brushes. Same price as Citadel, but they're made with top of the line Kolinsky Sable bristles. The absolute best bang for your buck for miniature painting brushes.

As for prolonging the longevity of your brushes, here's a tip: when getting paint out of a pot, have a crummy brush that's only used for that purpose. If paint gets up into the ferrule, whoopee, it's a throwaway brush. Use the same crappy brush for thinning paint with water as well. Switch to your good brush once you're ready to apply paint from the palette onto the miniature.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4043367.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/437073/4043367.page GMT