Are Our Brushes the Best Shape for Painting Miniatures?

[Khusru2]

Would connecting the brush and ferule, somehow, to a 20/25mm round base not give you what you need?
It may sound a little silly but I've been thinking the long handle isn't really necessary.

[Tofty]

Ya got a, nastily defensive chip on your shoulder there, mate. 
Seriously, no one spends even an iota of worry about how you get through the day.
In some 60 years of interacting with people, i have only this bit of wisdom to impart: People will spend hundredfold the energy in rationalizations and excuses needed to start or complete a task, to avoid making a decision about what to work on or finish (Analysis Paralysis!). In the arts, this might even be a thousandfold as work product is associated with ego.   Sadly, i have seen a lot of rationalization that equates process or prep work as being more valuable than just getting into the trenches and experimenting with technique.  1% inspiration really involves 99% perspirationThe adage of a blank canvas being the most intimidating thing is well known.  Drawing even just a first single line will release the paralysis.  Spend less time worrying about your tools and work space will give you more time to paint and build up some real sweat equity in finished figures.
As always do what you like with this free advice, YMMV, but it is worth what you paid for it.

I thought I'd made myself clear I didn't want your advice, but apparently not clearly enough.

You have now tripled-down on your assumption that I'm procrastinating. I told you that I don't believe I am in my first reply to you.
That should have been enough for you to drop it and move on. I'm surprised you would even consider making such comments in the first place, as it wasn't relevant to the discussion.

This is supposed to be a thread about the mechanics of brush handle use and whether any alterations could be beneficial.
If you wish to debate your original points in this respect and counter any of the technical points I raised in response, then please feel free.
However, I don't want to hear that you think I've been wasting my time. It would be a rude and unwarranted thing to write, even if it were true.
If I come across as "Nastily Defensive" in my replies then so be it, as I like to think I was simply redirecting your lack of decorum back at you.

Would connecting the brush and ferule, somehow, to a 20/25mm round base not give you what you need?
It may sound a little silly but I've been thinking the long handle isn't really necessary.

I must be honest I'm not quite sure what you mean. Something like this?:



Primarily I'm still wanting to hold the brush like a pen, and by that I mean the "standard" tripod grip, so some length is needed behind the ferrule, so the handle can rest in the web between forefinger and thumb.

[sundayhero]

My favorite handle is definitly the triangle one. Especially the Italeri.







But these are not as good as my classic raphael 8404, wich still my main brushes, especially for details. Even if they roll on the workbench and are quite too thin to handle with my big fingers.

[Khusru2]

[


I must be honest I'm not quite sure what you mean. Something like this?:



I was thinking more attaching on the edge so you are holding the flat part. Possibly two bases together.

[Tofty]

My favorite handle is definitly the triangle one. Especially the Italeri.
But these are not as good as my classic raphael 8404, wich still my main brushes, especially for details. Even if they roll on the workbench and are quite too thin to handle with my big fingers.

Thanks for your input.

That's the problem isn't it; your favourite brush is unlikely to have your preferred handle shape.

I made a triangular version, more like the Army Painter ones than the Italeri brushes, but there's nothing stopping the shape having flat sides (or are they slightly concave on the Italeri?).



I suppose this would allow you to use a Raphael brush head, but with a triangular grip.

I was thinking more attaching on the edge so you are holding the flat part. Possibly two bases together.

More like this?



The smaller one is 25mm in diameter. I made it first but after holding it I realised I was missing a trick, so the second one is 32mm in diameter and although not too clear in the photo; has scalloped cut-outs around the outer edge.
The idea being that the body can be pinched between middle finger and thumb, with some up and down rotation controlled with the index and ring fingers.
I won't be able to try painting with it until the weekend, but it has a pleasing feel to it.

[Pattus Magnus]

Those are some interesting ideas, and that last one is well outside the usual. I’ll be interested to hear how using them to paint with goes.

[HerbertTarkel]

The scalloped one looks super intriguing… at first I thought I might want more ferrule, though? Would the big round handle get in the way, sometimes?

[fred]

The scalloped one looks super intriguing… at first I thought I might want more ferrule, though? Would the big round handle get in the way, sometimes?

I thought similar - but I suppose you can choose how much to cut the brush handle down before inserting into the gripper.

[Tofty]

Those are some interesting ideas, and that last one is well outside the usual. I’ll be interested to hear how using them to paint with goes.

Initial testing was fairly positive; it allowed for a suitable level of control and the disk handle didn't obscure the model significantly.

The scalloped one looks super intriguing… at first I thought I might want more ferrule, though? Would the big round handle get in the way, sometimes?

I thought similar - but I suppose you can choose how much to cut the brush handle down before inserting into the gripper.

Either a different handle with a adjusted hole depth in it, or using a spacer, should allow the amount of brush sticking out to be tailored for preference.
The brush could be cut leaving more of the handle in place, but then the brush head wouldn't work in both of the handle types.

Here are the digital files for the initial brush holder design (still needs a few more assembly photos before I make it publicly available):
https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/tool/modular-brush-holder-project-4111356dadccf33d140c
I will try and also make the disk brush holder available later this week, after some small design tweaks, so others can try these out as see how they work for them.

[caveadsum1471]

I am finding this an interesting post although I  do find that the closer to the point of a paintbrush the less control I have personally and I guess my hold on the brush is midway up the brush which I guess is the balance point, which you are giving up if you hold it right down the front or have the circular handle you're suggesting? We all do it differently I guess I paint on a tray sitting in a sofa next to my wife who's watching TV, others need a desk and specialist lighting, you've clearly spent a lot of research time and effort on this , I hope it pays off for you but having made my living from using a paintbrush at one point for a number of years I'll stick to the old fashioned ones!

[Tofty]

I am finding this an interesting post although I  do find that the closer to the point of a paintbrush the less control I have personally and I guess my hold on the brush is midway up the brush which I guess is the balance point, which you are giving up if you hold it right down the front or have the circular handle you're suggesting? We all do it differently I guess I paint on a tray sitting in a sofa next to my wife who's watching TV, others need a desk and specialist lighting, you've clearly spent a lot of research time and effort on this , I hope it pays off for you but having made my living from using a paintbrush at one point for a number of years I'll stick to the old fashioned ones!

Thanks for the feedback, it's really useful to hear your perspective.


The files for the Round Brush Handle are now up on Cults3D and Thingiverse:



https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/tool/round-brush-handle
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7077293


Along with the Modular Brush Holder:



https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/tool/modular-brush-holder-project
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7067236

[2010sunburst]

Interesting discussion, though not for me.  I use at least three different grips while painting (not just the “standard” pen grip), and change quickly between them, so would need lots of heads to mimic my methods with this printed system.