Hello GUNNIES!
If you’re like me who paints their models on a daily basis- from gunpla to warhammer, you’re probably trying to use some of the best brushes you can find. But which brushes are truly the best for your needs? I’m here to give you some insight on several brands that can help enhance your painting experience with models.
Artis Opus
If you want the best of the best, Artius Opus is right up your alley! They are the only brand to make Artist’s Grade Miniature Paint Brushes dedicated to Miniature Painters. What’s great is their sizes galore from 000 to 6. They have specific series:
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S- Painting
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D- Drybrush
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M- Detail
You can either buy brushes individually, or as a set. I highly recommend Series M as it gives you a few brushes each from M and S. You also get a beautiful wooden case to store your brushes safely.
Pros: Again, this is top quality when it comes to brushes. When ordering a set, they include a stamped inspection sheet with a date to ensure you’re receiving only the best. These brushes are also meant to last a while. Having my first set back in 2023, I’ve only needed to replace two of the five brushes. While I have bought more due to how much I paint, it’s good to know that the life expectancy of these brushes will last a good while.
Cons: While these brushes are expected to last a good while, they do require a little extra care compared to other brands. When purchasing the sets, you’ll automatically receive a little container of Brush Conditioner and Cleanser. There’ll be explicit instructions on how to clean your brushes- literally conditioning your brushes for 20 minutes before rinsing and storing properly. While it may seem like overkill, for the price, it’s better to clean as instructed to ensure a long life expectancy. And if you let paint dry on the brush, fear not! They have a liquid paint purger and cleaner that will get the paint right off.
Price Range: $20-$294 (includes sets)
Citadel
This is a well known brand from Games Workshop. This is the starting point for many miniature painters. The range is as follows:
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Base
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Shade
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Layer
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Dry
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Scenery
Pros: This is good for beginners in the painting world. They’re affordable, and for practice, they get the job done. It’s also beneficial for the range names so those just starting out on different paints have an idea which brush will be best. GW also has painting guides with their brushes for free.
Cons: For the regular series, their layer brushes tend to fray a little too quickly after use. If you’re a seasoned painter who plans painting decorative models for the field or display, it may be good to try other brushes. There are youtubers such as The Painting Coach and Warhipster who have found ways to use different brands for one model, so check them out on tips.
Price Range: $8-$35
Above is when I first started out with just citadel brushes. Was great to learn with, but I could've used even smaller brushes for the finer details.
Army Painter
Army Painter’s Wargamer Series are the most directly comparable range to Game’s Workshop’s offering and in many peoples opinion, of superior quality. Unlike most of the alternate brands on this list where brush sizes follow the naming conventions used for all fine art brushes (000, 00, 0 1, 2, etc.) Army Painter have their own names for the brushes they offer.
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Drybrush
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Monster
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Vehicle and Scenery
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Detail- Super, Insane, Precise
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The Psycho
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Bascoating
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Highlighting
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Character
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Regiment
Pros: In my opinion, this is a good middle ground for beginners and experts. The quality is well, with minimal fraying. It’s affordable, so if you're a big painter, it wouldn’t break the bank to purchase the same brushes. The points stay in shape and formation when painting the model without bristles going out of place.
Cons: I feel like specific brushes do not survive as long as the rest in this brand. For example, the dry brushes are thinner than Citadel's, and I’ve gone through less dry brushes for Citadel than Army Painter. They are still great for the smaller models, but anything large, just be mindful
Price Range: $6.50-$90 (includes sets)
Tamiya
Tamiya paint brushes are generally well-regarded by modelers for their quality and performance. They are often praised for holding a point well, having good paint flow, and being durable. Many users find them superior to cheaper brushes and appreciate their ability to handle fine details.
Pros: These brushes really hold their points well! They also have brushes that are longer and good for reaching those nooks and crannies. While a little pricier than other brands, they are truly worth it.
Cons: Unlike the other brands listed today, their brushes go by 5 digit model number. While not the worst thing in the world, it can be a bit of a nuisance if you’re looking for a specific brush in the shop as opposed to online. I would also be mindful in how you clean the brushes. Don’t be like me and tug a little on the brush as you’re trying to smooth it out. Otherwise you may pop out the whole brush piece from the handle. Don’t damage the brush itself, but you will super glue it back to the handle.
Price Range: $7-$35
Don't be afraid to use multiple brands! With Ushoran here, I found use for all four brands:
- Citadel- Base and stone dry brushing
- Tamiya- Details on the jewels and eyes
- Army Painter- Layers for cloak
- Artis Opus- Layers and details for the body and jewelry
Hopefully you’ll get a better idea of what brush might work best for you. There’s even more brands to cover (which may lead to a part 2 in the near future), but these 4 I consider good brands to go with.
Until next time!
-VK