Brush sizes

[cptphoenixck]

Foes anyone else here find that the citadel fine detail brush is just not fine enough? I love the way they load paint so would like to keep it sable if possible..... can anyone else suggest a brush to go for?

[chromedog]

Lots of people recommend Winsor & Newton brushes.

Most decent hobby stores should carry a range of fine detail brushes. I have at least 5 brushes all smaller than the GW 'fine detail' brush.

[Wicksy]

I've had good experiences with Pro Arte 00 and 000 Kolinsky sable brushes. I also have some 7 series W&N brushes to try aswell.

[Raven Angel]

I use a 0000 winsor & newton for most fine detail work but I recently got some 18/0 brushes by Loew-Cornell for uber fine stuff like eyes and teeth. For thoughs that don't know the more 0 in the size the smaller the head on the brush and an 18/0 means 18 zeros so the heads are real tiny :P

[pueriexdeus]

When I first started painting I had to cut bristles off of the GW brushes. Had one with just 1 hair/bristle.

 

Yep go to the local (girly) hobby store, they will fill your need.

 

And pay attention to; Raven Angle & Wicksey, they know much more than I do.

[Wicksy]

When I first started painting I had to cut bristles off of the GW brushes. Had one with just 1 hair/bristle.

 

Yep go to the local (girly) hobby store, they will fill your need.

 

And pay attention to; Raven Angle & Wicksey, they know much more than I do.

I'd take my name off that list ^_^ I'm still a noob! However, i have fiddled about with brushes a bit. I never thought of cutting off bristles though.....i may have found a use for some of my old fine detail brushes!

[Hfran Morkai]

I find the fine detail brush fine, so long as it's point is intact. However I'll admit I'm not great at fine detail work anyway.

[madscuzzy]

One common misconception is that the only way to get a fine line is to use a fine brush. This is not always true. In fact, in many cases, it can be easier to get a fine line from a thicker brush. The thicker head has many bristles which can help to keep its shape and thus draw a fine line; and is able to retain more fluids, so your paint won't dry up so fast. You do need to get a good brush though. A konlinsky sable brush can do this well. I usually use a size 0 or 1 Raphael for almost everything, which is relatively affordable, and I am able to consistently get both thick and fine lines.

[Somar]

One common misconception is that the only way to get a fine line is to use a fine brush. This is not always true. In fact, in many cases, it can be easier to get a fine line from a thicker brush. The thicker head has many bristles which can help to keep its shape and thus draw a fine line; and is able to retain more fluids, so your paint won't dry up so fast. You do need to get a good brush though. A konlinsky sable brush can do this well. I usually use a size 0 or 1 Raphael for almost everything, which is relatively affordable, and I am able to consistently get both thick and fine lines.

 

 

this is indeed true, the size does not matter, the point matters. paint brushes are a bit like ink pens, the paint gets stored in the main part of the brush and it leaks out through the tip, so if it has a nice point, it will make a fine line.

[Raven Angel]

It does and it doesn't. In order to get consitant results with a larger brush you have to have a very steady hand. If you are like me and have occasional blood sugar problem the smaller head makes for better control and mistakes that are much eaiser to fix. My mother is an painter and says use the right tool for the right job and the uber small brushes are made this kind of extra fine detail. If you can get the job done with a bigger brush by all means save yourself some money. If you are having trouble try a smaller brush; it worked for me.

[Tamwulf]

Echoing the "size of the brush doesn't matter, it's the point".

 

A small brush is actually a "crutch" and will hurt your development into a better painter later. Talk to any of the greats and ask them what's the smallest brush they use and you'll be very surprised when they answer "my smallest is a 1". A good point on a #1 brush will be just as good as that "00000" brush you may have been using for dotting eyeballs.

 

When doing fine details with a bigger brush, don't load the brush up with as much paint as you usually do. Like maybe cover 1/4 or less the bristles on the brush. Next, wipe off the excess in a rolling motion to reform the point of the brush.

 

It'll take some practice, but will pay off in the long run when you can paint an entire mini with one paintbrush instead of swapping back and forth.