Which sizes of paintbrushes do you often use for figures?

[Mick_in_Switzerland]

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?

[Johnno]

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

[Mick_in_Switzerland]

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

[Michi]

Size 1 for everything.

[Connectamabob]

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.

[Orctrader]

Size 1 for everything.

Size 1 for (almost) everything.  (Rosemary series 33)

[dadlamassu]

Round size 1 or 2 for most things, rigger size 1 or 0 for detail and a half inch flat for dry brushing

[Fitz]

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.

[Captain Blood]

10x0 for almost everything. Occasionally an 0 or 00 for large areas.

[Billchuck]

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

[FifteensAway]

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.

[Ockman]

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.

[AngusH]

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.

[Wirelizard]

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.

[Jagannath]

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!