Paint brushes

[ZombieJimC]

What kind of brushes do you use? Its time for me to replace mine, they are all crap. I will be needing new paint as well. I bought a magnifying lamp from Amazon and decided to paint some heads today. I havent painted anything since the fall and thought this would be a good time. Well, it was a waste of time. Tried two heads with two different paints and both times turned out horrible. One of the paints I used I got about two weeks ago. I picked up a jar of Testors skin tone that megowgsh recommended. Even though it seemed to dry very fast, I dont think it was the paint. I did like the color. I have some Testors brushes from the 90s and in the spring I picked up a pack of brushes from Hobby Lobby. They all suck. My paints are old too. Anyway, I want to buy some decent brushes. If you have any recommendations Id love to hear em. Thanks.

[LonnieFisher]

I would go get some single brushes from a local hobby shop, and get expensive ones. I thought I sucked at painting until I got some really good brushes.
I personally don't like Testors paint.

[fallensaviour]

I use some brushes from a craft supply size zero "0" paid $5-10 I buy a new one every year for eyes.
Good brush is key to clean paints.
Paints I just use folk art acrylics.

[LonnieFisher]

I meant 'craft store', not hobby shop.

[enyawd72]

I use the cheapo five and ten packs of the white or gold nylon or taklon brushes. I always get the ones with plastic handles so they don't absorb water. Love 'em!

[LonnieFisher]

I use the cheapo five and ten packs of the white or gold nylon or taklon brushes. I always get the ones with plastic handles so they don't absorb water. Love 'em!

I can't paint anything with that kind of brush.

[LonnieFisher]

My best paint jobs, I use a roller.

I prefer spray paint.

[ZombieJimC]

Maybe I should have asked what is the name of the brushes you use? I want to get good ones but Im not sure what brand to go with. I figured I would ask you guys and girls because I have seen the Amazing work you post here. Thanks

[Random Axe]

Strictly my own preference but I use Sable brushes for most projects. They are more expensive but I try to find deals. I use a firm brush for larger areas and for fine detail and soft ones for blending and shading. Experimentation is key

[emeraldknight47]

I think that whatever kind of brush you use has to be determined by whatever feels comfortable in your hand and be determining the size of the brush for the project you are undertaking. I've been a ceramicist for many, many years and, as a result, I have acquired a lot of brushes (as you can see)...


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Believe it or not, with the exception of maybe four of these brushes, I've used each and every one of them in some capacity or another to do some kind of work (some of which may not even have to do with paint itself, but with other mediums such as pastels or inks or, yeah, even sand and frisket).

I think there may be actually more dry-brushing done in ceramics than in any other hobby where paint is laid down and dry-brushing will eat a brush faster than a herd of termites in a lumberyard, so I'm constantly replacing brushes and finding new and better brush materials to get certain jobs done. I usually go to a ceramics show held in Dayton, Ohio every spring and can wind up dropping 50 to 75 bucks on brushes alone, but the good thing about that is the brushes are all really good quality and and you can buy them in bulk at discounted prices.

Also, go to your neighborhood Hobby Lobby, Ben Franklin or Michael's and spend about an hour in the brush aisle just picking brushes up and seeing how they feel in your hand. Since the brush is basically going to become an extension OF your hand, it should feel natural and comfortable in your grip. If it feels good, try it and see if you like what it lays down.

The best route I've had in brush shopping (once I got to know what I was after) was to go to local art supply shops (we have two really great ones here) and talk to the people there who use the brushes on a regular basis. Believe me, once you get them started talking about their craft and their tools, you'll learn more than you probably ever wanted to know!

Hope this helps you out and happy painting!

[jessica]

I use the nail art brushes from the beauty supply store. I should buy a new set. You get 4 or 5 different ones for about $14.

[ZombieJimC]

Thanks for the info everyone.