Why I love Rosemary (and co)

[Conquistador]

Conquistador, Rosemary & Co are a small Uk based brush manufacturer, I don't know if there are any stockists of their brushes overseas, I think that they only sell direct (I don't know)

Thanks.

[grant]

Conquistador, Rosemary & Co are a small Uk based brush manufacturer, I don't know if there are any stockists of their brushes overseas, I think that they only sell direct (I don't know)

I earlier said I bought some - at an art shop here in Calgary - so they definitely DO sell through other places.

If I can get them in Calgary, I'm sure Conq. can find them in the US.

[Billchuck]

Meanwhile, I added a few new test pieces to my latest order, including Ser 323 (Kolinsky, similar to 33 but "spotter" shape) and a few rigger-style brushes (Ser 44 and ivory). Riggers have notably long bristles and I'd assume they're not for everyone, but one of my previous all time favourites was a long-bristled synthetic so I decided to give these a try. This pack is still unopened but if you give me a few days or a week, I'll put them directly through an LPL test run.

I've been looking at those riggers as well. Some of my current brushes are painfully worn out (after years of use).  This thread got me off my butt and I'm reordering now.

[westwaller]

Cheers for that info Grant Looks like they probably are available over the pond then....

[El Grego]

Before I go and look, is that a UK source or are there USA sources for those brushes too?

Folks in the USA might try this:

http://www.claudiawilliams.com/rosemary--co-brushes.html


Greg

[Conquistador]

Folks in the USA might try this:

http://www.claudiawilliams.com/rosemary--co-brushes.html


Greg

I keep being amazed at LAF resources... The people...

[Daeothar]

I almost exclusively use W&N brushes, both series 5 and 7, but this thread has me curious about the Rosemary products.

Even though I (usually ) take very good care of my brushes (my set of series 7 are from the GW deluxe paintbox set, which I won in a painting contest back in 2006; they're still in great to perfect shape all), my fine(st) detail brush is about due for replacement. It's a 0000 sized W&N series 5.

Which Rosemary brush would be (about) the same size? I prefer shorter brushes btw...

[Captain Blood]

Not sure. It's been a long time since I used W&N 7 series.
All I can say is that for the most part I use the 10/0 for just about everything apart from large areas, where I used a 0 or a 1. I do get through quite a lot of them, but that's because I abuse them horribly, not because they're poorly made brushes... 

[stone-cold-lead]

I do get through quite a lot of them, but that's because I abuse them horribly, not because they're poorly made brushes... 

Same here! The holy grail of brushes for me would be one that lasts more than a month. As it is I probably spend far more than I'd like to think on brushes.

[zemjw]

I have a number of the series 22 and 33 brushes. The 22s are meant to taper to a sharper point, but there's very little in it.

One thing to be aware of, if you're offered handle sizes, choose the small handle, unless you like working a foot or so from your minis 

[Lowtardog]

Thanks for the link, been using cheapo brushes and struggle with them quality wise may need to splash out and give them a try

[Marine0846]

A timely post about brushes.
Just went to the store that El Grego posted that is in the US.
Thanks for the link.
Ordered 5 brushes for $32.00 including postage.
Brush sizes, O, OO, OOO, 1, 2.
I think that is a pretty good deal.

[fastolfrus]

You could always email Rosemary and as her advice.
She's a nice lady and although her brushes were originally intended for artists, her brother paints (or used to paint) miniatures so she knows what you're up to.
She also advised us of a handy tip to help your brushes live a bit longer, once a month or so, after you clean your brush, draw the bristles through a little bit of hair conditioner and then give a good rinse. As she said to us - if you think about it, if you stuck your head in chemicals you'd need to condition your hair afterwards.

[The Mystic Spiral]

Another fan of Rosemary here.

Currently had a size 0 series 33 on the go for about 6 weeks. Painted about 50 figures with it. Even does the eyes really well. The French in Egypt I did for The Perrys were all done with it.

Assuming imminent destruction of the 0 cos I am hard on them, but they come in less than half the price of W&N series7 and last at least as long so I don't worry about using them up.

J
PS. The really cheap nylon ones are great for just sloshing paint on and if you clip the end flat on the size 0s they are great fine detail drybrushers.

[supervike]

I was just shopping around for brushes, I guess I best go with the crowd.