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Miniatures Adventure => Age of Myths, Gods and Empires => Topic started by: sgzleada71 on 15 January 2025, 12:30:42 PM

Title: Best Dry Brush set ??
Post by: sgzleada71 on 15 January 2025, 12:30:42 PM
Hi folks.   I'm wondering if  people have experience with any of these dry brush sets and if  so  what's your opinion?   The Artis Opus look nice but $$$.   Artify look a promising alternative ....
Title: Re: Best Dry Brush set ??
Post by: SteveBurt on 15 January 2025, 12:33:37 PM
I just use older brushes which are past their best.
I've also found that cheap 'craft' brushes work well for dry brushing. It's only brushes I want to hold a good point that I find it is worth paying for the best (W&N series 7 in my case)
Title: Re: Best Dry Brush set ??
Post by: Aethelflaeda was framed on 15 January 2025, 12:37:42 PM
I personally just use my never ending supply of worn out brushes for dry brushing.  Much cheaper and work fine. 

I once bought a large dry brush for oil painting on canvas and it has its advantages but for miniatures just trim down your wornout brushes with some scissors if you need a stiffer shorter bristle.
Title: Re: Best Dry Brush set ??
Post by: has.been on 15 January 2025, 01:31:44 PM
I agree with the other two.
Old brushes past their best.
I sometimes even trim them, to whatever shape I need, with a pair of scissors. :D
Title: Re: Best Dry Brush set ??
Post by: zemjw on 15 January 2025, 01:33:46 PM
I got the Artify set as a Christmas present, but haven't used them yet.

I tend to use artists' brushes like the Artmaster Oil Filbert, which have pretty stiff bristles, along with older brushes.

I'm not sure my dry brush technique would work with the much flatter makeup type brushes, but I will give them a try at some point.
Title: Re: Best Dry Brush set ??
Post by: HerbertTarkel on 15 January 2025, 01:45:57 PM
I agree with the other two.
Old brushes past their best.
I sometimes even trim them, to whatever shape I need, with a pair of scissors. :D

Yep. My best brushes started out as my best brushes. Once they are done, they go to the get used meanly pile.
Title: Re: Best Dry Brush set ??
Post by: Michi on 15 January 2025, 03:36:02 PM
Same with me: I don't see a reason to pay for a dry brush as long as I can use either worn or cheap DIY store brushes.
Title: Re: Best Dry Brush set ??
Post by: HerbertTarkel on 15 January 2025, 04:39:47 PM
Same with me: I don't see a reason to pay for a dry brush as long as I can use either worn or cheap DIY store brushes.

I still have an old red-handled citadel brush! Has to be near thirty years old, and it’s STILL doing work as a drybrush.
Title: Re: Best Dry Brush set ??
Post by: 2010sunburst on 15 January 2025, 06:00:40 PM
I use older flat brushes and filberts because I find them more controllable than round brushes in this application.  Recently though I bought a small set of cheap make up brushes (about six quid from Amazon I think) and find them excellent.  Good soft bristles, easy to clean, and a domed (rather than pointed) round shape makes them excellent for the purpose. 
Title: Re: Best Dry Brush set ??
Post by: Freddy on 15 January 2025, 07:57:40 PM
I use flat brushes for drybrushing, these thick ones are good for 1-2 runs then the paint will clog them as it is extremely hard to clean the center area.
Title: Re: Best Dry Brush set ??
Post by: sgzleada71 on 16 January 2025, 12:14:49 PM
Okay, thanks folks. Seems the consensus is   -- don't waste your $ on expensive  dry brushes!!!.     Any  dissenting voices ?? 
Title: Re: Best Dry Brush set ??
Post by: McYellowbelly on 16 January 2025, 02:26:43 PM
I bought makeup brushes from Amazon, work a treat.
Think I got about 8 for £5.
Leaves more money to buy shiney things!
Title: Re: Best Dry Brush set ??
Post by: Orctrader on 16 January 2025, 02:49:25 PM
Like the others, I use old brushes or cheap craft brushes.  I use (craft) flat brushes for varnishing miniatures and the are demoted to dry brushing duties.
Title: Re: Best Dry Brush set ??
Post by: anevilgiraffe on 17 January 2025, 08:00:23 AM
would this not be better placed in workbench?
Title: Re: Best Dry Brush set ??
Post by: modelwarrior on 17 January 2025, 09:23:38 AM
I use older flat brushes and filberts because I find them more controllable than round brushes in this application.  Recently though I bought a small set of cheap make up brushes (about six quid from Amazon I think) and find them excellent.  Good soft bristles, easy to clean, and a domed (rather than pointed) round shape makes them excellent for the purpose.

Second the cheap make up brushes,especially nail paint brushes.
Title: Re: Best Dry Brush set ??
Post by: Basementboy on 18 January 2025, 01:27:54 PM
I just use older brushes which are past their best.
I've also found that cheap 'craft' brushes work well for dry brushing. It's only brushes I want to hold a good point that I find it is worth paying for the best (W&N series 7 in my case)
This. Once they loose the fine tip they're perfect for drybrushing.