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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Mick_in_Switzerland on January 10, 2018, 01:12:40 PM

Title: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: Mick_in_Switzerland on January 10, 2018, 01:12:40 PM
When I am painting 20mm to 28mm figures, I use a 6 for undercoating and a 2 for block painting and finally a 00 for fine detail. What do you use?
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: Johnno on January 10, 2018, 01:18:51 PM
I use Army Painter brushes, namely regiment, character, detail and insane detail
Not sure of what the actual sizes are as they aren't listed on the website
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: Mick_in_Switzerland on January 10, 2018, 03:30:03 PM
Based on this review, it looks like the Army Painter Brush sizes are as follows:
Regiment is 2
Character is 0
Detail is 00
Insane Detail is 0000
http://wargameguru.weebly.com/in-focus-review---the-army-painter-brushes.html (http://wargameguru.weebly.com/in-focus-review---the-army-painter-brushes.html)
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: Michi on January 10, 2018, 03:38:15 PM
Size 1 for everything.
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: Connectamabob on January 10, 2018, 06:49:34 PM
I think there's maybe more than one measurement standard? None of my brushes have markings matching the scheme in the poll. The brush I use for blocking and undercolors is marked 10/0, and the two that I use for regular detail are marked 5/0 and 20/0, though they both look the same to my eye. Maybe the 20/0 has a slightly, very slightly smaller diameter? Hard to tell for sure, which means they're functionally the same. All three are different brands, so that may be a factor.

I usually don't bother with the numbers, as I much, MUCH prefer to buy brushes in person rather than online. I just eyeball through the rack till I see the tip I'm looking for. Even with a good brand, the brushes on the rack will have very mixed quality within a given size/tip, so buying online seems like it'd be way too much of a total crap shoot to my mind.
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: Orctrader on January 10, 2018, 07:27:21 PM
Size 1 for everything.

Size 1 for (almost) everything.  (Rosemary series 33)
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: dadlamassu on January 10, 2018, 09:12:27 PM
Round size 1 or 2 for most things, rigger size 1 or 0 for detail and a half inch flat for dry brushing
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: Fitz on January 10, 2018, 11:10:24 PM
It really depends on the quality of the brushes. I use a range of sizes now from 00 up to 2, but when my favourite #1 sable was still functional I used that almost exclusively, because it held plenty of paint and came to an excellent point. I've never found another brush its equal, alas, even from exactly the same range.
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: Captain Blood on January 10, 2018, 11:33:28 PM
10x0 for almost everything. Occasionally an 0 or 00 for large areas.
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: Billchuck on January 11, 2018, 03:26:59 AM
I think there's maybe more than one measurement standard? None of my brushes have markings matching the scheme in the poll. The brush I use for blocking and undercolors is marked 10/0, and the two that I use for regular detail are marked 5/0 and 20/0, though they both look the same to my eye. Maybe the 20/0 has a slightly, very slightly smaller diameter? Hard to tell for sure, which means they're functionally the same. All three are different brands, so that may be a factor.

I usually don't bother with the numbers, as I much, MUCH prefer to buy brushes in person rather than online. I just eyeball through the rack till I see the tip I'm looking for. Even with a good brand, the brushes on the rack will have very mixed quality within a given size/tip, so buying online seems like it'd be way too much of a total crap shoot to my mind.

5/0 is 00000. 000 is 3/0
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: FifteensAway on January 11, 2018, 07:47:33 AM
I've found size of brush is of less importance than the actual tip of the brush - a nice sharp point ahead of some long bristles to hold paint is best for fine detail work - until getting into the realm of using fine or even ultra-fine marking pens (which I've only experimented with a tiny bit but others use to great effect).  And keeping the brush clean and the paint away from the ferrule - great way to ruin a brush.
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: Ockman on January 11, 2018, 07:50:04 AM
Tip of the brush is the most important thing, as FifteensAway says.

I paint 15mm minis and terrain. For minis I use pretty small brushes (1, 0, 3/0, 10/0 and a 2 flatbrush for drybrushing), while I use cheap, large brushes for terrain.
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: AngusH on January 11, 2018, 08:26:13 AM
Size 1 for just about everything except undercoating, which is usually a 3 or 4 depending on what I grab first. I do use an "insane detail" brush for eyes, which I guess is a 00 or 000 but that's probably because the tip on my size 1 isn't great.
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: Wirelizard on January 11, 2018, 08:27:37 AM
My current go-to brushes are a 1, 2, and 10/0 although the 1 is getting a bit fishhooked at the tip and won't be in prime place all that much longer.
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: Jagannath on January 11, 2018, 08:55:48 AM
Tip of the brush is the most important thing, as FifteensAway says.

I paint 15mm minis and terrain. For minis I use pretty small brushes (1, 0, 3/0, 10/0 and a 2 flatbrush for drybrushing), while I use cheap, large brushes for terrain.

I agree - I actually prefer a 2 for almost everything, but they have to be good quality and hold a nice tip. I find the extra paint a 2 holds helps me get a smoother finish. When I first started working on 15s I used a 00, thinking small minis=small brush, but that was terrible!
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: Ockman on January 11, 2018, 09:06:40 AM
I agree - I actually prefer a 2 for almost everything, but they have to be good quality and hold a nice tip. I find the extra paint a 2 holds helps me get a smoother finish. When I first started working on 15s I used a 00, thinking small minis=small brush, but that was terrible!

I find the problem being that paint dries faster on smaller brushes, which - especially when you are working under hot halogen lights - forces you to work fast. Or with dried paint on your brush...
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: Nord on January 11, 2018, 09:31:21 AM
Biggest I can manage. Put base coats on with a 7 sometimes. Usually a 2 for details, sometimes 0 for eyes.
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: SteveBurt on January 11, 2018, 12:18:09 PM
6 for undercoat
2 for block painting
1 for detail
0 for fine detail
00 for things like eyes
All W&N Series 7 sable brushes apart from the big one, as undercoating wrecks brushes anyway
Old brushes also get used for dry brushing and inking.
Title: Re: Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?
Post by: Karadek on January 11, 2018, 07:09:25 PM
I use 2 and 4 for base colors, 0 and 1 for detail.  If the eyes are ridiculously small, I'll dig out my 000.