You’ve got to start somewhere! Sometimes “pro” (or good) tools aren’t that wonderful, and sometimes they make all the difference.
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Some modelers think that buying expensive, better tools will make them better modelers. This doesn’t always happen. Modeling takes a certain amount of raw talent and skill. That being said, good brushes ARE important to a good paint job. The best paint in the world will look like crap if applied with a cheap nylon brush. Kolinsky Sable ARE the best brushes to get, and how long they last depends on what brand you buy. I have a set of 10 Winsor & Newton Series 7 brushes that I invested in 20 years ago and they are still perfect today. They produce flawless coats. With the use and performance I have gotten out of them, I would say they were worth the price.
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One should definitely try to develop some painting skills first before spending a lot on brushes imho.
It has taken me many years to get to the point where I am and I still struggle mightily with figure painting. And as I get older (57 yikes!) getting harder even still. But I love it and it goes hand in hand with armor for me.
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Peter, sorry to digress from your original question but I think you should definitely shop around (it looks like you have) and maybe try one or two brushes at first to see if you like them. Much of this, as has been pointed out, is trial and error and of course personal preference. Good luck with your search.
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Oh absolutely. I was building and painting for 30 years before I invested in the W&N brushes. A well-off guy could decide to get into model building. He could come on these forums, pick our brains, and outffit a workshop with the best bench, tools, airbrushes, everything DSPIAE makes, etc. Then build a crappy model and wonder what went wrong.
You don’t buy a 16 year old a Porsche. You let him buy a Volkswagen.
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Very true.
@SSGToms Matthew, I am quoting your post to tie my rant in with what you write.
The text below is directed at the whole audience.
I think everyone has heard this proverb, or a variation of it:
“The phrase “A bad workman blames his tools” is an age-old proverb whose exact origins are difficult to pinpoint. It has been prevalent in numerous cultures, testifying to its universal truth. The idiom “A Bad Workman Blames His Tools” is a proverbial expression that dates back to ancient times. It conveys that someone who performs poorly or fails at a task often blames their tools or equipment rather than accepting responsibility for their incompetence. Over time, this proverb has been passed down, translated, and modified, manifesting in various forms across different cultures. Nonetheless, the central theme remains the same blaming the tools for poor workmanship is a futile excuse.”
Text above borrowed from: https://usdictionary.com/idioms/a-bad-workman-blames-his-tools/
My rant below:
Bad tools or good tools: a poor workman will fail. Good tools does not necessarily a good workman make.
However, the expression can not be turned around to imply that a good workman will succeed regardless of good or bad tools. A good workman has enough experience to choose good tools.
Some fools try to imply that when a workman says the tools are bad he is actually calling himself a bad workman.
Good tools will make it easier for a poor workman to achieve better results but in the end skills and experience will be needed to achieve the best results.
In another forum in another millenium a fool tried to use this proverb to try to get at me,
my answer was that a good workman does not use bad tools.
Rant mode off, getting down from my soapbox. Carry on with the brushes 
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Just noticed this thread, I have a set of the Artis Opus D series dry brush brushes which I find very good I also use their ‘rough’ surface pallet to remove excess paint from the brush and to also add and mix small amounts of paint to the brush as needed. The brush conditioner soap does work in keeping the brushes clean and soft.
I’ve tried ‘cheap’ dry brush brushes but they tend to start shedding hairs almost straight away.
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Anybody use Atlas brushes? They have red handles, and one of the series have triangular-section handles so the brush will not roll off your worktable. Inexpensive, but pretty good quality.
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Thanks for the advice and responses everyone!
I have Masters Brush Cleaner and a whole host of cheap art store brushes. I found that the cheap art store sable brushes did not retain their “candleflame tips” after use, even with brush soap. One can achieve a point with the brush soap, but when painting, the cheap art store brushes would flare out into a flat brush. It’s the “candleflame point” that figure painters want. The more expensive sable brushes do retain the fine tip point when painting.
The Artis Opus brushes come in a nice wooden box, which of course one pays for. But I wonder if one really needs Artis Opus when cheaper sable brushes would do, such as Rosemary and Company or a few Windsor and Newtons.
I have Artbin brush boxes with interior foam cushions for my sable brushes and those boxes work very well. Windsor and Newton doesn’t come with a case at all.
Artbin brush case (Amazon photo)
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I’ve got both the Artis Opus series S and D sets and i can definitely say they are worth the cost. i do a lot of figure painting so the fine points on the S are a godsend, and the D series are great for not only drybrushing but also blending as well. They have a YouTube channel with lots of videos on it.
I will say i also have loads of other brushes from cheap and nasties upwards, depends on what i’m doing
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@deerstalker36 Thanks. I thought it was the Series M with the shorter, stiffer bristles that figure painters want. I read that the Series S is for everyday figure painting and the Series M is for painting eyes, finer details, and bordering.
It’s pretty confusing on the Series M and S as the brush sizes are the same. Any further comments on which Artis Opus Series to buy? Thanks.
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the series S go down to a 000 brush from a size 2. I find they have a decent length to holde more paint without drying out as shorter bristle would. And they hold their point beautifully when painting, as long as you clean them properly after use.
they have varying box designs, i went for the world map but it doesnt affect the quality of the brushes. I also got the texture mat, but i’m loathe to use it how it should be as it’s so nice lol.
Nibe was a birthday present to myself, thats how i justifies the cost to the mrs anyway. It is nice to have a set specifically for figure painting and i’ve found my style has improved, just need to learn blending a bit better lol
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@deerstalker36 Thanks again for the information, answer, and reply. The Series S sounds great!
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