Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: TheBlackCrane on August 17, 2014, 03:44:11 PM
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Since moving I'm no longer in range of the hobby shop I used to frequent for supplies. The only place near me, that I know of, is a Hobbycraft store, but they don't have a great supply of fine brushes and those there are are usually already splayed anyway. So can anyone recommend a a good online supplier/range? Or alternatively anyone know of good hobby shops in/around Bristol or Somerset area (UK)?
Cheers
Rob
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Em4 Kolinsky Sable http://www.em4miniatures.com/acatalog/em4_Paint_Brushes.html - utterly gorgeous brushes and a good price. I bought one at a show and now won't buy anywhere else, except for big fluffy ones.
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disregard
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I use to pick all my art stuff here http://www.theartshops.co.uk/
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From discussion on the LAF I went for Rosemary's Brushes when I replaced mine. I wasn't disappointed, they are excellent and very reasonably priced.
http://www.rosemaryandco.com
I picked up the Sable blend brushes.
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Rosemary's series 33 Kolinsky sable. Unbeatable quality for the price, and immaculate service and speed of delivery.
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Rosemary's look good - does anyone know the difference in length between long and short handles?
Most of my current ones (em4) are about 12-13cm of wooden handle, beyond the ferrule.
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same problem, I was using Cottman from Hobbycraft. Always had the damaged no use problem, now Cottman are getting scares in the local model shops.
Ive changed to Expo brushes from Arcane Scenery and Models, They come with all protection and fast. Good price and seem to stand up to the numbers I paint.
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I used rosemary but changed to windsor & newton. Both are good but tha latter is better. Series 7 especially
I order from here
https://www.artsupplies.co.uk/
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Apparently there's Kolinsky and there's Kolinsky...
I bought a bunch of branded Kolinsky sable brushes from Feldherr, because I buy stuff there anyway and they had reasonable prices.
They're ok, but they have a very bad tendency to split a few hairs off the point.
This has made me rather wary about "shop brand" brushes. I think I'll need to get some Raphaels or W&N ones...
I found a good price on W&N from an art supply store in Germany, but they were more B2B operation and had a 150e minimum order. I didn't need quite so many brushes...
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I use W&N Series 7 (size 1 is the most useful for me), and I buy them from Ken Bromley (http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/brushes-series-7-kolinsky-watercolour-brush.htm).
Generally, if you buy 3-4 brushes, you get free delivery. They also carry lots of other useful things like acrylic mediums, inks, and such. KB offer great service and good prices, and they are UK-based too.
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Rosemary's look good - does anyone know the difference in length between long and short handles?
You want the short handle versions. The long handle brushes are ridiculously long - designed for dilletante watercolourists ;)
Like most things in wargaming, choice of brushes comes down to personal taste, budget and prejudice.
I have a particular prejudice against W&N 7 series because so many people swear by them as the only true answer - whereas I've always found them distinctly average in terms of durability and performance (the point and its tensility - what the serious painters refer to as 'snap' or 'spring').
Rosemary brushes (in my experience anyway) are every bit as good, but a third of the price - like two or three quid a brush rather than seven or eight quid.
But I'm equally sure you'll find other people who will tell you they can't get on with Rosemary brushes :)
As ever, you pays your money and takes your choice...
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The long handle brushes are ridiculously long - designed for dilletante watercolourists ;)
lol
Like most things in wargaming, choice of brushes comes down to personal taste, budget and prejudice.
Totally agree - as well as individual style/preference, there's other (perhaps ergonomic factors) that mean there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach.
I have a particular prejudice against W&N 7 series because so many people swear by them as the only true answer - whereas I've always found them distinctly average in terms of durability and performance (the point and its tensility - what the serious painters refer to as 'snap' or 'spring').
A bit unfair - I do find W&N distinctly above average.
I agree that there are other brands that are as good or better though, and costs vary a lot too. The main thing about a brand like W&N is that it's readily available, and that it's quite consistent for those people (like me) who cannot easily get to an art shop and check out other brands of brushes in person.
I would always suggest going in person to an art shop and choosing a brush that way if you can though - no substitute for seeing things yourself before you choose.
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I used the cheap ones from that cheap bookshop on the highstreet £1.99 for 3. They aren`t perfect and dont last very long but at that price I dont mind as they end up in a heirarchy of painting detail, vlovk painting, base coating and painting bases to finally used for glue and basing ;D
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Because there is a plethora of local shops and chains here I buy locally so I can see them. Which is weird so someone who paints as poorly as I do after decades of futility followed by acceptance...
Gracias,
Glenn
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A bit unfair - I do find W&N distinctly above average.
Possibly. But I did admit I was prejudiced ;)
I just think they're a bit overrated given how expensive they are. But we agree, it's personal preference. There's no right or wrong answer :)
I used the cheap ones from that cheap bookshop on the highstreet £1.99 for 3. They aren`t perfect and dont last very long but at that price I dont mind as they end up in a heirarchy of painting detail, vlovk painting, base coating and painting bases to finally used for glue and basing ;D
I'm with you there Karl. I'm afraid one of the reasons I like Rosemary's brushes so much is because not only are they good quality in the first place, but they are also very cheap (relatively). So if I use a brush for a few weeks, abuse it - which I do - and then chuck it away, or relegate it to stirring duties, then frankly, that's fine. It only cost the price of a pint. I wouldn't feel that way about a brush I'd paid seven or eight pounds for...
Horses for courses... Nuff said.
;)
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Another vote for Rosemary & Co. I have bought and used loads of sable brushes in the past but Rosemary & Co brushes are really good and as the good captain says, relatively cheap so I don't fret about using the damn things as much as I do my seven or eight quid brushes... Short handles for me too- Series 33 and 92 from R & Co. I prefer shorter brush tips too.
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You want the short handle versions. The long handle brushes are ridiculously long - designed for dilletante watercolourists ;)
Thanks - put an order in late last night, and they have shipped already!
Of course I went for short handles - wouldn't want to be mistaken for a watercolouriste, would one.
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I tend to order my brushes from Ebay.
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I like the em4 ones because I like the handles. That triangular cross-section makes it easier for me to control them and, as I already said, the quality and price (£3 - £4 depending on size) are great.
(http://www.miniaturemojo.co.uk/productimages/thumb/SS-image-2013-02-23-5129097743460.jpg)
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I like the em4 ones because I like the handles. That triangular cross-section makes it easier for me to control them and, as I already said, the quality and price (£3 - £4 depending on size) are great.
Interesting... they look suspiciously like the Feldherr ones I have that are... not top quality.
The handles are nice. It would be nicer if they could also hold a point...
Obviously neither em4 or Feldherr are real brush manufacturers. They buy branded brushes from somewhere. I'm suspecting a German manufacturer since I doubt em4 specified German printings in their order... ofcourse the same manufacturer might have several quality levels and it's impossible to tell which one their client actually ordered.
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Rosemary & Co for me as well. They are a great price for the quality of the brushes. I have tried various types over the years but plan to stick with these from now on.
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Each to their own Mr Cubbins, but I didn't get on with my EM4 brush because of the cross section and the bristles were too long. It may be the size, I have a 0/4 one and it is as fine as many other companies 0/10s in all honesty,for me, there is a point when small brushes have too few bristles to work well, as they don't pick up enough paint...
'Orses for courses though, innit Cubs?
I would reiterate to the OP, that I recommend buying a selection of brushes from different manufacturers to see what suits your style.
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The only thing I found with the Rosemary's brushes is that despite Captain Blood using the same brushes I still cannot paint like him :(
:D
I still haven't figured out which brush works best for painting thin lines on clothes such as striped trousers or checked jackets.I either find I can't apply enough even pressure with a small brush or I apply blobs along a line with a bigger brush. What do people tend to use?
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Stone Cold Lead on here pointed me towards Rosemary & Co 33 series sizes 0, 2/0, 3/0 and 10/0.
He is not wrong.
Though when Windsor & Newton series 7 are in full working order they cannot be beaten. BUT. They are nowhere near as consistent as they once used to be and though Jacksons.co.uk give a big discount they still come in at over £7 a brush. Rosemary's are half that.
I still haven't figured out which brush works best for painting thin lines on clothes such as striped trousers or checked jackets.I either find I can't apply enough even pressure with a small brush or I apply blobs along a line with a bigger brush. What do people tend to use?
This is probably more about the consistency of the paint than the size of the brush. To get nice crisp lines the paint needs to be thinned down a bit. Assuming you use acrylics try to thin your paint so it has a similar consistency to skimmed milk. I mainly use a Windsor & Newton size 2/0 or Rosemary's 3/0 (they are a size bigger than W&N) for doing the thin stuff.
J
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It takes a bit of practice to get up ones confidence, but I find a quick flick of the brush produces better results when painting lines etc, rather than slow and steady.
Get a pencil and try drawing a 'straight' line slowly, and then try drawing one with a quick flick of the pencil, and you should find that the quicker line is 'straighter.'
I have mentioned them before, but if you watch Toby from Artmaster studios painting tutorials on Youtube they give you a very clear illustration of just 'how' he paints, the brush techniques and stuff, it is worth a look.
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The only thing I found with the Rosemary's brushes is that despite Captain Blood using the same brushes I still cannot paint like him
Arse. That was the main reason I ordered some. ;)
My order from Rosemary's arrived this morning, after placing an order on Monday evening. So very quick delivery.
I have been using em4 brushes for a while, but they have a been out of stock a couple of items recently, and their postage is a bit steep ( though this usually makes me buy a few other bits too).
I have to admit that my main problem with brushes seems to be letting paint dry inside the bristles of the brush. So I am trying harder to wash the brush more while painting and wash it at the end of a session with brush soap too.
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I would reiterate to the OP, that I recommend buying a selection of brushes from different manufacturers to see what suits your style.
It's a funny thing, in all the time I've been painting I've never had to really look about for brushes 'till now; seems like trying out some from Rosemary's and from W&N would be a good idea.
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Thanks for th advice Mystic Spiral. I'm mainly using either GW acrylics, including Foundation paints (all the old style), Anita's acrylics or Vallejo. I guess a lot of it is practice. When I see Captain Blood's or Cubs' stripes and checks it's just beyond me! I seem to recall seeing a lot of your stuff on shop websites too and you are no slouch! :)
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Rosemary's series 33 Kolinsky sable. Unbeatable quality for the price, and immaculate service and speed of delivery.
Me too.
Though I do use others besides their "33" that is the main brush for me.
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...I have to admit that my main problem with brushes seems to be letting paint dry inside the bristles of the brush. So I am trying harder to wash the brush more while painting and wash it at the end of a session with brush soap too.
When my (Rosemary) brush has come to the end of its painting life, I clean it with Humbrol Liquid Poly Plastic Glue - the stuff I use to stick hard plastic figures with.
DISCLAIMER - do this at your own risk...
I got the tip from Steve Dean's site.
Dip the brush in and leave for a minute, wipe with paper towel and all the dried up paint now comes out. Repeat until no more paint. Clean as normal. Use next painting session and, for me, lots more use.
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Having just read the above, I had to try it.
And it certainly seems to work. A couple of dunks and a pretty caked up em4 brush seems to be well on the way to recovery. Don't leave the ploy cement on too long otherwise it evaporates off, 10-20s seems about right.
Cheers for the tip.
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As i am NOT a painter in any sense of the word. I have used brushes from several lines. MY current collection has brushes from GW, hell i even still have a set of the old Ral Parthe clear handle brushes now that it think of it. I know th W&N line. The Rosemary's have been talked up a lot in recent years. I took a chance and jumped on a recent KS to get a set of brushes form the G&G line. They will be coming soon.
Like those who have said. Buy a few from different sources. See what you like. As many people have mentioned. It isnt the brush it is the user of the brush. I choose to not believe that and assume i will eventually buy a brush with magical powers and i will be a decent player. At least that is my thought process when it comes to painting. :-)
Grimm