Brushes and Thinners
 |
Brushes
Get round sable brushes 5/0, 3/0 , 2/0, 0, flat brushes, and 10/0 liner brushes. The larger the number at the front the smaller and finer the brush will be. Find some old brushes for mixing paints as well. Round Sable brushes are good for applying basecolours. Flat brushes are for drybrushing and liner brushes are very good for fine details and outlining.
There are a many brands of brushes. The type of brushes you are looking for is the watercolor version which is good for fine detail work.
|
If you are on a beginner on a tight budget, cheaper synthetic brushes can work for
you too. The cheaper brushes lifespan is much shorter, so you need to get a number of them when you go shopping. Investing in a good quality brushes will last you a long time as long you take good care of them.
Special Tips:
- For miniatures 54mm and below sable brushes 0 and smaller sizes are good to start with.
- If you are getting a cheap brand get a couple of them and make sure the ends are not frayed.
- If it is a round sable brush, make sure the ends are pointed.
- It is a good practice not to use acrylic paint brushes as oil paint brushes or vice versa.
- Both paints have different properties and solvents and will damage your brush.
- Keep a different set for each medium where possible.
Care for brushes
- Load paint only at the tip of the brush and never let paint onto the ferrule.
- Wash the brush very frequently in water to prevent the paint from drying.
- Periodically during a painting session, clean the brush using aliquid brush cleaner.
- Never let acrylic paint build up on your brush.
- To load your brush with paint, wet it first with water.
- Never let acrylic paint dry on your brush.
- Clean your brush thoroughly before switching to a new color.
- If your acrylic paint does dry in the ferrule, use a brush cleaner to restore the brush.
- Hair conditioners can be useful for preserving the bristles after a painting session.
- After each painting session, clean all of the brushes with a liquid brush cleaner.
- Point the bristles and store properly.
- Never let your brush sit in brush cleaner or water with the brush side down.
- Store brushes with the brush pointed up, or flat in an open box.
- Do not expose bristles to heat or speed drying.
- For oil brushes swish the brush in mineral spirits and dip into thinner before storage.
|
Brush cleaning
- Do not cake soap to clean your brush.
- Once the brush is saturated with brush cleaner, work it into the palm of your hand by gently flexing the bristles against your skin. rinse & repeat until your brush is clean and leaves no paint residue on your hand.
- Rinse thoroughly in running water.
- Try to get the low odour thinners when you go shopping for oil paint.
- Avoid turpentine because they stink...literally and can be hazardous to your health if you inhale it for long periods of time.
- Always use thinners in a well ventilated room.
|
