Hot topic

[Colonel Kilgore]

Have you tried adding a "slow dry" drying retarder to your paint mix, Andy?

Simon

[Leman (Andy)]

Thanks for the tip. Didn't know such a thing existed.

[Colonel Kilgore]

Vallejo do one, that I've used in the past when I've held paint over between sessions:



I've typically covered my palette and then added thinner / flow enhancer when I come back to it the next time. Paint can remain viable over a number of days, with care.

Simon

[mellis1644]

OK guys... enough is enough. You have our Southern Ontario weather and we have your crappy summer. So we need to trade these back and soon... I have had enough of these miserable low 20's days.

Seriously though, the weather here is messed up - they got 20 cm of snow inn Jasper yesterday and the 'rain season' has been too dry in Northern Canada with minimal rain - so loads of wild fires up there. Then we get this late spring weather in summer. <sigh>

[martin goddard]

Painting is becoming much better supplied.
I bought some Rosemary and Co brushes (UK company- sable). Anyone else tried those?


martin

[Colonel Kilgore]

I've heard good things about Rosemary and co, and had looked at them having been getting increasingly frustrated with my (pretty expensive) Winsor & Newton Series 7 brushes. Recently, even new No. 7 brushes split on their first use, or have worn out very quickly.

I actually splashed out earlier this week in a set of Artis Opus brushes, which have had rave reviews. They're "in the post", so I hope I can report on them soon.

Simon

[Colonel Kilgore]

Incidentally, I (very belatedly) read during my brush research that when Series 7 (or other such) brushes are referred to as "for Miniatures", they are referring to watercolour "miniatures", not the little lead ones that we play with.

Hence the unhelpfully short bristles... 

Artis Opus are apparently designed and made in the UK specifically for "our kind of miniatures"!

Simon

[John Watson]

I tried Rosemary and Co brushes in the past but they were very expensive and no better than the A S Handover brushes that I have been using for years and which seem to last forever. Very good points and spring.
John

[Colonel Kilgore]

What type of Handover brushes do you use, John - Series 99?

Simon

[John Watson]

Simon, mainly 66's, but I have a couple of 33's and 99's for variety.
John

[martin goddard]

I tried a coupe of artis opus brushes and found the un exceptional. Fine but not better. Personal opinion only.


martin

[Smiley Miley 66]

I ve got the Green stuff brushes from Entoyment. They come as Gold and Silver and Bronze variables. I bought some of each to try out.
But I am busy doing scenery for now so using good old cheap brushes for doing that.
Miles

[Leman (Andy)]

I am actually using the Baccus brushes, which appear to be very good quality sable; long hairs and a fine point. I have used these to very good effect with both normal acrylics and Contrast style paints. The No.1 is particularly good with 15mm figures. Mind you I thoroughly clean each time with The Master's Brush Cleaner and Preserver. I also use a different brush for metallic paint and a really cheap No.2 for priming and applying acrylic varnishes. Still use the brush cleaner on those as well.

[Colonel Kilgore]

Simon, mainly 66's, but I have a couple of 33's and 99's for variety.
John

Do you get a chocolate flake with the 99s?

Simon

[Colonel Kilgore]

I am actually using the Baccus brushes, which appear to be very good quality sable; long hairs and a fine point. I have used these to very good effect with both normal acrylics and Contrast style paints. The No.1 is particularly good with 15mm figures. Mind you I thoroughly clean each time with The Master's Brush Cleaner and Preserver. I also use a different brush for metallic paint and a really cheap No.2 for priming and applying acrylic varnishes. Still use the brush cleaner on those as well.

I too use different brushes for priming and varnishing, and am assiduous with my use of The Master's Brush Cleaner - both after and (particularly in this hot weather) during painting. Hence my disappointment with my last few W&N brushes (while also noting that said brushes used to last more than a year in the first place, but no longer seem to).

Simon