Hey,

I handbrush all my models, and its time to get some new ones, was wondering want are the best brushes for enamel paints? I make 1:48 planes and 1:35 figures. how many brushes should i get and what sizes?

thanks Erik

forgive the ignorance

Hey Erik,

For brush painting I use anything from 0000 to a 7

The 0000 I use for painting eyes, the 7 for larger work, but if your going to be painting 48th and 35th, it would be easier to use an airbrush. Unfortunately they're a little expensive here in SA

There used to be an Art store about a 1 1/2 Km's from me, but unfortunately they moved to another part of town. I used to get my brushes from there. They were rarely over R15.00 per brush, and the brushes were of decent quality

You use Humbrol, right?

When your painting, dip the brush into the paint, and then dip it slightly into thinners, this will give the paint a better coverage and make the paint smoother. Brush marks will also disappear

Cougar

I usually buy Winsor & Newton brushes. Quite expensive, but very good brushes.

Thanks guys, just wondering since there seems to be such a great variety of materials, hog hair, camel, nylon... bit confusing.

Warren I use Model Master and humbrol, but am from now on only buing humbrols as I can get 2 humbrols for the price of a model master! Airbrush is way too expensive for me, will just have to keep buying my lotto tickets, tatta ma chance, tatta 'ma millions[:]

Seasons greetings,

ERik (:-)

Hey Erik,

Season's greeting to you too

Don't go for the Camel Hair brushes, the bristles are very thick. They're perfect for dry brushing though

Aquatex, Ashrad, Eico and Taklon make nice brushes that are reasonable priced that are great for brush painting, but you'll only find them in Art stores I think

Cougar

Hey Erik,

Dunno how I missed this post yesterday...

For figures I use 5/0 to 1 size brushes. In fact I mostly use the 5/0. I tend to have no less than 5 of them "in stock" at any given time. I buy all my brushes from the Deckle Edge in Observatory... I think there is one in Somerset West/Strand as well.

For items with a bigger surface area, like aircraft, vehicles or large scale figures, I use no large than a 5 - although a spray gun or airbrush is preferable. You don't need the most expensive airbrush on the market either. The basic "el cheapo" badger knockoff goes for about R80 and the compressed air can will do for basic jobs for a while - compressors are about R1000... expensive!

I use Humbrol direct from the tin, although lately I have been doing a fair amount of mixing and blending - buy yourself a small plastic pallette from a local art store (about R10-R15) if you want to do that.



As for the Lotto... Tatta ma chance, Tatta ma V kol :-) :-) :-) sorry

My aunties are asking what I want for Xmas so hopefully I can get them to fund a mass purchase of brushes of various sizes/shapes.

A few years back I bought a cheapo airbrush that painted one swordfish then kaput! Some or other Aztec, I was so angry I almost . I find brush painting to be easier to quickly do a bit and quickly clean and I don't have to worry about screwing a R1000+ tool up!

I mix Humbrols regularly, I find at Plastics for africa there are good 60c containers that seal tight perfect for the job.

Still have not won a cent on the lotto.........
Thanks again,

Erik

I use Rotmarder-Kolinsky brushes, they are from JR Productions and made in Germany.
the smallest i got is a 5/0 thats the smallest i know they got atm in the store. And for the price they are good quality. thought 3 euros or something. So thats not expensive.