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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: matakishi on January 28, 2010, 11:19:00 PM
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Back in September these were recommended by several members on a thread here so I went and bought a few to try them out. I promised at the time to report back so, after five months and 200+ figures I can confirm that my testing is complete.
The verdict? They really are good, excellent value and a joy to paint with. Buy them!
I've posted a quick review on my site but it pretty much says the same thing but with the costings and a note about the savings over synthetic brushes.
http://www.matakishi.com/reviews.htm
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A nice review Paul. :)
They really are great. Just as good as - if not better than - W&N sable, and at about a third of the price! And with lovely, friendly, fast and efficient customer service. Rosemary deserves every success.
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Another convert :)
...Just as good as - if not better than - W&N sable...
I think they're better. But brushes are a very "personal" thing.
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Yes, credit where credit's due OT - you are indeed the True Prophet of Rosemary's Brushes...
I bless the day you put me onto them :)
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Yes, credit where credit's due OT - you are indeed the True Prophet of Rosemary's Brushes...
I bless the day you put me onto them :)
absolutely the best brushes I ever bought and they are still going over a year later as good as they were and I'm very bad at looking after brushes and I mean bad :'(
dodge
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OK I'm sold, I'm going to order some tomorrow :)
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I own 4 Rosemary’s brushes; a 1, a 0, a 2/0 and a 10/0… I barely ever used the last two because the point on the 1 and 0 is fine enough and keeps it shape. I really like them 8)
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Looks like a virtual trip to Antenociti is in order.
Thanks for the review :D
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GM - you can get them direct: http://www.rosemaryandco.com/index.php?osCsid=c823b407b9c1bacff7f294964c5d880f
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Thanks Cap'n. Useful URL to have. Then again, Antenociti does have lots of other lovely stuff ;)
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I think there may be some confusion here. Antenociti sells the Brush Soap. Rosemary sells the brushes.
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I think there may be some confusion here. Antenociti sells the Brush Soap. Rosemary sells the brushes.
I'm easily confused :(
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everyone should own W&N Series 7 no 00, 0, 1.
If only so as to compare them to other brands.
No one ever says 'Are 'x' brushes as good as Rosemary's/Foundry/GW etc'
It's always- 'How do they compare to W&N series 7.
Rosemarys are fine, a solid set of brush's, they're 90% as good as W&N, but they aint as good or better. Bristle fatigue is more drastic on Rosemary's and 'coming to a point' isn't as complete or regular when compared to series 7. Also the 'flow' is more even with W&N.
If you're not a full-time (or display only) painter, then Rosemary's are great value, unbelievable value really. I wish they had them when I started.
They're the second best after Series 7, but they're way, way cheaper.
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everyone should own W&N Series 7 no 00, 0, 1.
If only so as to compare them to other brands.
No one ever says 'Are 'x' brushes as good as Rosemary's/Foundry/GW etc'
It's always- 'How do they compare to W&N series 7.
Rosemarys are fine, a solid set of brush's, they're 90% as good as W&N, but they aint as good or better. Bristle fatigue is more drastic on Rosemary's and 'coming to a point' isn't as complete or regular when compared to series 7. Also the 'flow' is more even with W&N.
If you're not a full-time (or display only) painter, then Rosemary's are great value, unbelievable value really. I wish they had them when I started.
They're the second best after Series 7, but they're way, way cheaper.
I agree with this but would add that my personal experience is that W&N 7's do not have the same quality control as they used to. Get a good one and it is unbelievably good but I have had a few that have been inferior. I have used W&N 7's for around 25 years and am certain that they are not as good as they used to be.
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I haven't used anything but series 7s in the last 30 odd years but I've just bought some Rosemary's.
If I've just done 7 quid in cold blood I'll hold you all responsible ;)
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Bugsda old fruit, you won't be disappointed. :)
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If you're not a full-time (or display only) painter, then Rosemary's are great value, unbelievable value really. I wish they had them when I started.
That certainly applies to me. W&N would be a luxury for me, but Rosemary's are more affordable and justifiable ;)
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Just ordered a set direct from Rosemary's site. :)
I notice Matakishi mentioned brush soap and I've never really considered that before, I just use hot water (might explain the high turnover of brushes). The stuff on Antenociti's site is out of stock, any other recommendations?
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Just ordered a set direct from Rosemary's site. :)
I notice Matakishi mentioned brush soap and I've never really considered that before, I just use hot water (might explain the high turnover of brushes). The stuff on Antenociti's site is out of stock, any other recommendations?
http://www.fredaldous.co.uk/product_030230174.htm
http://www.artifolk.co.uk/catalog/products/cleaning_accessories/the_masters_brush_cleaner_and_preserver_two_sizes.htm
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everyone should own W&N Series 7 no 00, 0, 1.
If only so as to compare them to other brands.
No one ever says 'Are 'x' brushes as good as Rosemary's/Foundry/GW etc'
It's always- 'How do they compare to W&N series 7.
Rosemarys are fine, a solid set of brush's, they're 90% as good as W&N, but they aint as good or better. Bristle fatigue is more drastic on Rosemary's and 'coming to a point' isn't as complete or regular when compared to series 7. Also the 'flow' is more even with W&N.
If you're not a full-time (or display only) painter, then Rosemary's are great value, unbelievable value really. I wish they had them when I started.
They're the second best after Series 7, but they're way, way cheaper.
I agree with this but would add that my personal experience is that W&N 7's do not have the same quality control as they used to. Get a good one and it is unbelievably good but I have had a few that have been inferior. I have used W&N 7's for around 25 years and am certain that they are not as good as they used to be.
Which might be why, for me, Rosemary are "better." I've only tried a couple of W&N series 7 - for comparison - and they were inferior. Great brushes - but not as good. (Cost me a fortune too.)
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Thanks Orctrader.
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hot water (might explain the high turnover of brushes
I was told by Chris Steadman that hot water is bad for brushes, it apparently melts the glue that holds the hairs in the ferrule.
Since I stopped using hot water my brushes last a lot longer.
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I'm not a professional painter... and I’m not the type of person that is particularly careful with the maintenance of his paint brushes but I’ve painted around 600 28mm figures with my Rosemary's series 33 now and they keep going, and going, and going… ;D
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I'm no 'pro' painter either, but am a stickler for proper brush and equipment care. I'd like to offer a 'caution', having picked up a half dozen of Rosemary's Series 33 and 93 brushes from her trade stand at a craft fair in Oxford last summer. Great feel factor ('spring' in the sable), great performance, if a little 'thirsty' on the 'draw'. The only downside: these lovely brushes are fragile, and don't stick around very long, as they shed bristles at a brisk rate. I've gone through three Rosemary brushes during the same period of time I've barely 'broken in' a W&N Series 7, using identical cleaning regimes for both types, which actually makes the W&N brush more economical. Sometimes you do indeed get what you pay for. Just my 2p.
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I've had mine since last summer also and none of them has shed a single hair. I hope to try a Winsor and Newton some time this year to see if I can see a difference though.
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I abuse my brushes terribly. I do all the things you're not supposed to: like using them to stir paint, digging them through the crust of half dried blobs of paint on the palette, and so on. I never do more than sloosh them in my dirty pot of water at the end of a session.
Believe me, under this regime, they ALL shed hairs and go bald within a fairly short space of time.
But this is the way I like to work. I don't have time or patience for noncing around with 'only dip the first 30% of the point into the paint, never up to the ferrule' and 'always wash your brushes out with proprietary cleaner between every paint colour'... Painting is a slow enough process anyway if you're going to aspire to a high standard.
So - given that I destroy my brushes at an alarming rate - but I still need a brush with a good point, I can afford to go through Rosemary's excellent brushes because they only cost a couple of quid a time. W&N series 7, I have found no better in either, point, 'snap' or staying power - but I can't afford to use them up in the same way as they cost around 7 quid a pop.
Ergo - Rosemary's are a way better proposition for me.
As ever, each to their own. :)
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everyone should own W&N Series 7 no 00, 0, 1.
If only so as to compare them to other brands.
No one ever says 'Are 'x' brushes as good as Rosemary's/Foundry/GW etc'
It's always- 'How do they compare to W&N series 7.
Rosemarys are fine, a solid set of brush's, they're 90% as good as W&N, but they aint as good or better. Bristle fatigue is more drastic on Rosemary's and 'coming to a point' isn't as complete or regular when compared to series 7. Also the 'flow' is more even with W&N.
If you're not a full-time (or display only) painter, then Rosemary's are great value, unbelievable value really. I wish they had them when I started.
They're the second best after Series 7, but they're way, way cheaper.
Totally agree. Got several Rosemary brushes and although they are fine...they are not as fantastic. Their points are not as crisp and strong as W&N brushes and freehanding with them is a lot harder than with W&N brushes. My Rosemary brushes also degraded a lot faster than my W&N's. I usually do about 1-2 years with W&N brushes but the Rosemary's wear out a lot quicker.
But as Orctrader said, brushes are very personal :)
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I abuse my brushes terribly. I do all the things you're not supposed to: like using them to stir paint, digging them through the crust of half dried blobs of paint on the palette, and so on. I never do more than sloosh them in my dirty pot of water at the end of a session.
Believe me, under this regime, they ALL shed hairs and go bald within a fairly short space of time.
But this is the way I like to work. I don't have time or patience for noncing around with 'only dip the first 30% of the point into the paint, never up to the ferrule' and 'always wash your brushes out with proprietary cleaner between every paint colour'... Painting is a slow enough process anyway if you're going to aspire to a high standard.
So - given that I destroy my brushes at an alarming rate - but I still need a brush with a good point, I can afford to go through Rosemary's excellent brushes because they only cost a couple of quid a time. W&N series 7, I have found no better in either, point, 'snap' or staying power - but I can't afford to use them up in the same way as they cost around 7 quid a pop.
Ergo - Rosemary's are a way better proposition for me.
As ever, each to their own. :)
So it's not just me then,
:)
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So it's not just me then,
:)
Bought some W&N brushes because people whose opinions I respect kept saying about how much of a difference they make to your painting. Found them to be just as crap as the cheapo ones I normally use, not the miracle brushes I had heard about at all. Waste of money if you ask me. I'll stick to cheap and cheerful from now on.
Might try these Rosemary ones though, as it appears they don't cost an arm and a leg.
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I abuse my brushes terribly. I do all the things you're not supposed to: like using them to stir paint, digging them through the crust of half dried blobs of paint on the palette, and so on. I never do more than sloosh them in my dirty pot of water at the end of a session.
Believe me, under this regime, they ALL shed hairs and go bald within a fairly short space of time.
But this is the way I like to work. I don't have time or patience for noncing around with 'only dip the first 30% of the point into the paint, never up to the ferrule' and 'always wash your brushes out with proprietary cleaner between every paint colour'... Painting is a slow enough process anyway if you're going to aspire to a high standard.
So - given that I destroy my brushes at an alarming rate - but I still need a brush with a good point, I can afford to go through Rosemary's excellent brushes because they only cost a couple of quid a time. W&N series 7, I have found no better in either, point, 'snap' or staying power - but I can't afford to use them up in the same way as they cost around 7 quid a pop.
Ergo - Rosemary's are a way better proposition for me.
As ever, each to their own. :)
I wince as I read this...
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I wince as I read this...
And I mix my colours with them too ::)
Bought some W&N brushes because people whose opinions I respect kept saying about how much of a difference they make to your painting. Found them to be just as crap as the cheapo ones I normally use, not the miracle brushes I had heard about at all.
My feelings exactly.
Good - but not appreciably superior given the outrageous price tag.
There again, as confessed, I do maltreat my brushes horribly, so only to be expected really...
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Bought some W&N brushes because people whose opinions I respect kept saying about how much of a difference they make to your painting. Found them to be just as crap as the cheapo ones I normally use, not the miracle brushes I had heard about at all. Waste of money if you ask me. I'll stick to cheap and cheerful from now on.
Might try these Rosemary ones though, as it appears they don't cost an arm and a leg.
My WN 7s have served me very well so far but I have to admit that this is probably due to me taking very good care of them to. Since I got them I use clean water and brush soap at the end of the session and always put that 'brush condom' back on when I am done with a particular brush (I drop things all the time and with Murphy's law being what it is they always land on the business end).
As long as there is quality sable in the brush I am sure there are other brands which will work. I may try Rosemary's to, but as things seems to be progressing with these WN 7 I don't feel pressed to get new ones (I have two set 000-1, one standard, one short bristle).
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And I mix my colours with them too ::)
I am sure there is a special place in hell for people who do that. ;)
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Back in the 70s when we all used Humbrol enamels a W&S 7 would last you six weeks.
I had more money back then so it didn't matter so much. :D
(and I 'ad to lick motorway clean in't mornin' ::) )
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(and I 'ad to lick motorway clean in't mornin' ::) )
Luxury! I 'ad to lick boiling 'ot tar and cool it down just so's lucky beggars like you could paint white lines...
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(and I 'ad to lick motorway clean in't mornin' ::) )
you could afford your own spit then!
Luxury.
We used to have to break into people's houses, creep up to their bedroom, and carefully remove the dribble at the side of their mouths.
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you could afford your own spit then!
Luxury.
We used to have to break into people's houses, creep up to their bedroom, and carefully remove the dribble at the side of their mouths.
So people had houses around where you lived then? Posh, that. Where I grew up t'was rough. In our neighbourhood people called old overflowing septic tanks their homes.
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I am sure there is a special place in hell for people who do that. ;)
It sounds like I going to hell too. Up until a short time ago I mixed my paint with my brushes. :?
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If you dont use your brush to mix paint what on earth do you use? ;D
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Toothpicks or a tiny cocktail fork works for me.
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If you dont use your brush to mix paint what on earth do you use? ;D
Not my WN7s, I don't. I get a pack of cheap Chinese brushes now and then from our equivalent of dollar stores. I am not sure what kind of hairs/fibers they are made from. Bamboo fibre? Hog bristles? Political dissident arse shavings? In any case they come apart pretty quick.
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I usually use the back end of the brush to mix with myself.
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I am sure there is a special place in hell for people who do that. ;)
The Cap'n is already going! Anyone who paints such a large number of figures so consistently well is sure to have sold his soul lol
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Got my Rosemary's yesterday, quick delivery, tried them out and I have to agree with Redzed.
They don't hold a point as long as series 7s and it's all about the point for me, they are well worth the money though, so I'm not disappointed lol
I bought two Series 7s last week for about £15 inc post, got two Rosemary's for £6.95 all in.
Might get some of their big flats for oils and varnishing. :)
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Got my Rosemary's yesterday, quick delivery, tried them out and I have to agree with Redzed.
They don't hold a point as long as series 7s and it's all about the point for me, they are well worth the money though, so I'm not disappointed lol
I bought two Series 7s last week for about £15 inc post, got two Rosemary's for £6.95 all in.
Might get some of their big flats for oils and varnishing. :)
I hope they were size 1 or 2's for £15. Parcel posted your way earlier today ;)
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Two 00 series 7, £15.43 inc postage from Ken Bromley, but it saved me a walk up the Dulwich art shop ;)
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Totally agree with Redzed but I still buy Rosemary brushes.
W&N'S will always remain my favourites and I'll probably keep on using them till I can't hold a brush anymore. Should be any day now. ;)
Still, the Rosemary's are good value for money and well suited for anything but the most precise work. You have to get used to the softer 'snap' though. Also keep in mind that the brush sizes between W&N and Rosemary aren't corresponding exactly
Has anyone tried the series 22 yet? Very handy for those hard to reach spots.
The Shiraz brushes are a godsend for drybrushing BTW.
I have been able to keep most 1s, Os and some 2/0 W&Ns for well over 5 years, but I clean all my brushes thoroughly after each session. Still remarkable if you know that I use oil paint almost exclusively and that Kolinsky bristles aren't exactly suited for oil paint.
Clean with purified linseed oil until no more paint comes off, then brush soap, shape them back and they (almost) last forever.
Odd thing: My wife uses W&N series 7 Miniature and these wear out much faster.
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... W&N'S will always remain my favourites and I'll probably keep on using them till I can't hold a brush anymore. Should be any day now... ;)
Nah, you’re still young… oh, just saw your age… maybe not so young ;)
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They don't hold a point as long as series 7s...
I'm intrigued by this. What exactly do you mean? I thought from Red's comments the brush wore out more quickly and lost the ability to form a point after use. But as you have only just got them you mean..?
When I tried a W&N the point "split" more easily than the Rosemary. But I probably paint with "thinner" paint than many others. The Rosemary seemed to draw off excess paint more effectively than the W&N. So the W&N was excellent, but I have to slightly adjust the way I paint to use it.
And I also use Rosemary series "92" & "93" for small details.
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When I tried a W&N the point "split" more easily than the Rosemary.
Never happened to me.
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Okay, I am sold...I just bought a bunch of the 33s, 92s, 93, 99s, and something with mongoose hair to try...I will report back when I have had time to paint something...which hopefully will be soon ;)
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I'm intrigued by this. What exactly do you mean?
Sorry Orc, only just spotted this. :)
I mean repointing the brush while painting, the W&S seems to hold a point little longer than the Rosemary.
Time washing the brush out and repointing is time lost. lol
And yeah, thin paint splits the hairs quicker than thicker, I tend to use it thick.
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The thing I take away from all this is the small brush sizes everyone is using. The smaller the brush the shorter their life. I rarely use anything smaller than a #4. If a brush has a good point the size does not matter, but a bigger brush holds more paint, and thus takes longer to dry out.
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I abuse my brushes terribly. I do all the things you're not supposed to: like using them to stir paint, digging them through the crust of half dried blobs of paint on the palette, and so on. I never do more than sloosh them in my dirty pot of water at the end of a session.
Believe me, under this regime, they ALL shed hairs and go bald within a fairly short space of time.
I operate the same - completely wreck my brushes. I even use WN series 7. They don't last that long. I even use WN 7s for drybrushing...
The way I figure it is that if they last three months as first quality then that's a reasonable cost of a couple of quid a month. I put £40 in the car each month and I only drive a cinquecento!
I use them hard until they start to lose the point then get another. I always buy size 1.
Like odyssey said - "use it up, wear it out"
Si