Need advice on what type of paint brushes to buy

As everyone has pointed out, you're better off if you buy good brushes.  However, don't get rid of your el cheapo brushes because you are occasionaly going to have to do something with a paint brush that will damage or destroy it (certain methods of applying a finish, applying liquid glue etc) and the cheap brushes work great for this (and doesn't break the bank).

I would also make the suggestion that when you buy your brushes, see if you can also get some brush soap.  It will remove any paint the thinner and rag method of cleaning doesn't get (you'll be amazed at how much paint remains).  It also conditions and softens the brushes and keeps them usuable for a longer period.  Grumbacher has a pint jar of the stuff for somewhere around 5 bucks and it lasts forever (I bought mine at an art supply store about 15 years ago and still have more than half of it).

Finally, storage.  If you're like me, you're going to end up with a bunch of high dollar brushes laying around and you want to keep them usuable for as long as you can.  Don't toss them int a box or drawer (you will shorten the usuable life).  The ideal way to store them is to suspend them vertically with the point down - but if you have more than a couple of brushes finding the space and the method to do this can cause problems.  I store mine vertically with the point up in a couple of beer steins I got when I was in college (back during the Middle Ages as it were).  One stein is for my good brushes and the other is for the el cheapo ones.  A friend of mine who is into oil painting hot glued some small Pringles cans to a piece of cheap paneling (about a foot long and a couple of inches wider than the cans - keeps the cans from tipping over) and uses that to store his brushes in. 

  

 

spitfire1973, If you happen to find any 00000 Windsor-Newtons at Michaels definately buy them. They are extreamely hard to find. Almost rare you might say.

Hey H3nav,

 I was looking at some Windsor-Newtons and Grumbacher brushes at Michaels the other day. They seem to average around $10 per brush but I was going to pick up a few smaller ones for detail work. I was so overwhelmed with their selection it was ridiculous. Soooo many sizes and shapes...not to mention the different types of handles that you can get (skinny, long, wood, plastic, etc, etc). I think I am heading there tomorrow and I'm going to use a few of their 50% off coupons to pick up a brush or two. I'll let you know how I make out...

Funny I should be reading this thread.  I had a bunch of cheap brushes in my hand when I logged on.  Being the packrat that I am, I have a bunch of cheapo Testors brushes that will be assigned grunt work.  I bought some equally as cheap no name sable brushes awhile back that haven't held up ( can you say economy water color pack).  This past weekend I bought some Windsor-Newtons and Loew-Cornelle(?) brushes from Michael's for detail work.  For all you detail and figure guys, what sizes and types are on your work bench.  I would assume rounds and flats.  Fill us in ( no pun intented).

 

E

I love my Silver Ultra Minis.  I use mine strictly for detail work, so most of them are in the 20/0 to 10/0 range.  The largest one I own is a 3/0.

I like them because they have a great contour for the body and are really easy to hold.

-Fred

 

Most of the brushes I have and use are made by M. Grumbacher, followed by Winsor & Newton and a few by Silver Ultra Mini. None are cheap but if you take care of them? You know the answer.

While a cheap hammer will still pound nails, the same cannot be said for cheap paint brushes. Buy the best brushes you can, no matter the cost. Red Sable is my preference. The reasoning is that properly cared for brushes will last pretty close to a lifetime, and provide you with years of use.