👑👑👑 We have made a brand new fantasy Universe with 10 amazing looking miniatures to paint! You can check out the campaign and support the channel - it goes live October 2022 here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/squidmar/champions-of-sona-75mm-resin-miniatures 👑👑👑
by the end of the video I was expecting "Don't actually paint with these brushes, use them to demonstrate to others that you are a serious painter only, just use synthetic when its time to paint".
The advice is don't waste expensive brushes on jobs that cheap ones do equally well, such as basecoating and applying washes. Save sable brushes for the work that synthetics don't do as well, such as anything that requires a well controlled fine point, e.g. edge highlighting and freehanding details, or a combination of large wet paint volume plus fine control, such as wet bending.
I use some less expensice ones för all Metallic paints. But I reach a step on the necrons that I have no more mettalics to paint. So I rince my watercup, clean the metallic brushes. And swap to my squidmar brushes to the final touch ups. Used them today for the first time and it was a joy using them :) thanks Emil
Good idea and perfect timing, it's almost like you planned it... My tips are: 1. Keep paint in the top part of the brush 2. Don't use washes on nice brushes 3. Don't use metallics on nice brushes 4. Keep water clean, perhaps have two glasses of water, use one to get the excess off and the second to thoroughly clean whilst painting) 5. Store wet brushes upside down (the pringles container Squidmar shipped allows you to wedge brushes upside down in the foam) 6. Brush soap can help get baked in the paint out, but use it often otherwise it's limited in how much it can rescue your brushes in my experience. 7. Prey to the painting gods that your shiny new brushes will not split after 30 minutes despite being careful :D
@@alexanderkoryakin9510 depends on the thickness of the paint, hence why you want to avoid washes with high flow. Regardless you will get longer life by being conscious of this risk to the brushes.
I know there’s a lot of comments down below saying “just use cheap brushes” or “basically you’re saying don’t use the high quality brush”. As someone new to the hobby and painting miniatures(only thing I’ve ever painted in my life was homes) I want to say that every piece of advice you’ve given on your channel has made a HUGE difference for me. I had terrible OCD as a teenager and now that I have 3 kids, I’ve learned to let most things go buuuuutttt…. Building and painting my Black Templars has reignited those ticks and I am SUPER appreciative of your channel. Yeah, it may take me 6 hours to paint a basic troop unit but it’s a bit faster in batches and they turn out perfect in my eye because of the advice on your channel. So I’m here learning the next steps to take care of my good brushes. Thank you
If your not doing detail painting, no. Table quality can easily be achieved by base coating, dry brushing and washing. If you want to take it to the next level than use the natural hair brushes to carefully highlight edges or pick details.
lol same. I bought a $10 CAD pack of 5 brushes. Killed one of them in a week cause I was basecoating hard and fast with it and, well, whatever it's just $2.
You also shouldn't use paper towels to dry your brushes! The paper fibres are released into the hairs and can get stuck and splay them out. Use a microfiber towel.
Oh, come one, paper fibres... i use kolinsky brushes with contrast and shades and clean them with blotting paper al the time. I buy 2 or 3 brushes per year.
I have a handful of Windsor & Newton brushes that I've used for about 7 years now. I use washes, contrast and metallics with them. They're absolutely fine with regular washing and cleaning using The Masters soap, and being careful about keeping the ferrule clean.
Yep. Use my sable brushes with metallics all the time. Sometimes it's the only way I'm going to get fine trim details done on a model w/o needing to reload the brush every few strokes. As long as I give them a good cleaning with the soap when I'm done, the brushes are fine. The only time I've ruined sable brushes (basically only the first few nice brushes I've bought) was when I ignorantly allowed paint to get up into the ferrule. That being said, I don't recommend using them with the super thin metallics like Vallejo Metal Color or any of the alcohol-based metallics. Those paints wick right up into the ferrule too easily.
I have had a sable brush that has been my workhorse for the past year or so and I have been using it with metallics, washes and contrast paints this entire time and it has still kept a good point. It actually seems to have gotten a little better. I clean it with brush cleaner regularly, so that probably helps
@@joshbecka6110 I have to agree here. Mine have been absolutely fine when cleaned with a brush cleaner after every session. Fully agreed don't dry brush with them, but I really have had no issues with metallics, washes or contrast paint.
its always good to keep the plastic tube covers from when you buy your brush and use it to protect your "nice" brushes when your done for the day and finish cleaning them
Yes, but there's a thing called 'brush plastic tube black hole' in which eventually all plastic tubes end. If I had a cent for each 'plastic tube' lost :D. But do not worry, you can DiY a bunch of clear plastic tubes using a plastic tube from an empty window spraying bottle :)
The best and most comprehensive video on brush care I have seen! Some of the comments seem to miss the point that kolinsky brushes are for detail and not slapping on basecoats and washes, I certainly realised that too late when I started and so the video explaining that is helpful. It's also good to hear an explanation of why they can have split hairs from the outset, I've had that before and good to know it's not just me!
@@tmk1785 I have the white ones (wargamer series) and I've been using them for a couple of years now without issue. I play skirmish games but they've probably done around 100 models so far.
@@SvartElric9 Definitely! I use the Monster brush for basecoats and larger areas, Regiment for my main work horse, and Character for most detail work. The Detail brush is pretty good for really small things. I find the Insane Detail brush too small to be useful.
To those who wonder what to use kolinski brushes for: I Use them a lot - almost all the time. Glazing, layering, highlights, details etc. Anything with acrylic paints - I use them 90% of all my painting. but you can make them last longer by skipping a few things that's hard on the brushes. Think of them as a nice regular car for every day use. Maybe a Tesla. And cheap synthetic brushes like a tractor for the dirty work.
I have noticed in your last few videos that you seem really happy. Like extra happy. Like, you are trying to get through the video to tell us some really exciting news. Always a hint of a smile. It's awesome. I'm super happy for your success. Thanks for the tips.
Massive thanks emil. i was put off kolinsky hair after I had a really bad one and not sure if I treated it the way it wanted. Am currently getting on much better with lesser quality sable hair but this video has given me clues as to why it went south. I have confidence again. When I am ready I will buy your brushes if they are still available. I love your content and would love to give back to you in some way. My tip for brush care is store them flat I have been doing this in my regular job as decorator for years and have found it to be very effective in keeping brushes useable for the longest time.
thanks alot man, started this christmas with the hobby after watching countless videos and learning how to keep your brushes fresh is really helpful for a newbie
Loved how you went over "Do not base coat with your expensive brushes" i did this and it absolutely chews through them. Aside from 2 expensive brushes i use all "Wal-Mart cheapo" ones since i can replace it in 30min and they cost around $4(USD) hah
Your number 1 recommendation just blew my mind.... Everything makes sense now! Thank God I just got a MEGA shipment of synthetic Ghost brushes...so when my Squidmars come in, they won't end up like my other sable brushes. MASSIVE lightbulb moment!!
@@gregmccormack5709 Same. I only started painting this year. I genuinely had no idea, couldn't figure out why my winsor and newton brush turned crappy so fast. I used it for washes, contrasts and metallic paint...
Regular cleaning, I use imperial leather soap and my partners hair conditioner. It's so much cheaper than brush soap and does exactly the same job. I've used this on windsor and newton, artis opus and rosemary and Co. Another tip is use your good brushes for detail work, not metallics or washes and base coating. Squidmar covers this and its 100% accurate. Great video and have a great new year.
I've used top quality Kolinsky brushes for many years now. I've never had a problem using thinned paint (glazes, washes, "contrast paint", or whatever) or metallics with them. If your brush is wet all the way to the ferrule, say if you dip your brush in water (hint, you need to dip your brush in water), the paint is going to flow along the length of the wetted bristles. As long as you rinse regularly (I rinse every couple of minutes or so), there's no problem. Metallics have (usually) mica flakes to give that specular reflection. These flakes can be slightly more abrasive than most pigments, but not so much that they will wreck your brushes. And you don't need to worry much about your paint water, either. It has far less pigment than any sort of paint you're likely to use. Just rinse regularly and change your water every session or so. Expensive brushes generally cost about three times as much as mid-grade synthetics (US prices), and regardless of what sort of acrylic paints you use, they last (IME) about ten to twenty times as long. I use my expensive brushes for everything but the most damaging tasks (drybrushing and stippling, usually). Brushes are tools. If you buy an expensive hammer, would you avoid hitting things with that hammer? If you would, why would you bother to buy the expensive hammer at all? Hammers are for hitting things and even pretty hammers don't really look all that good on the wall. Brushes are for painting. That said, tools have limited life and you have to expect that. Buy good brushes and use good brushes. If you just can't stomach that, buy the cheapest brushes you can find that have decent points and expect to discard them after one or two minis.
Brushes are for painting, yes. But there’s a difference in painting a neat layer and dry brushing metallics, even if it’s both “painting”. Hammers are great for hammering, but I wouldn’t use my screw driver for drilling a hole :)
@@jonashenriksson2182 If only I had said something like, "I use my expensive brushes for everything but the most damaging tasks (drybrushing and stippling, usually). " Wait....
I would genuinely love that, I always find it frustrating that the contents of assorted paintbrush packets you can grab from an art store are always kinda useless, with like 3 brushes you can use and like 4 brushes not even actual artists use. If I could buy a set of like 20 cheap brushes with multiples of the fine brushes and only one or two of the larger brushes that would be awesome.
@@calvinhill158 you can buy packs of cheap brushes straight from china. www.aliexpress.com/item/33008391133.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.56f76811wMtTvB&algo_pvid=fa478a87-3d53-43e0-902a-2913b9a2172e&algo_expid=fa478a87-3d53-43e0-902a-2913b9a2172e-28&btsid=0ab6f82315963221482303359e2798&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_
With some luck they'd be better than the expensive brushes, that fall apart after 2 uses. Not exaggerating, I've got a brush from 10 years ago that's in better condition than one of the Squidmar brushes.
Thank you for the warning about contrast paints, washes, and not particularly clean water. Your explanation made complete sense, and solves my years long mystery as to why my otherwise well cared for brushes were fraying out.
Ha ha ha, if that is all you use brushes for it sounds like you have absolutely no need for one of these high end brushes. These brushes are ONLY for edge high lights and details painted on like shoulder pads and other places. This is for the fine work that takes months and months of experience and practice. Stick with your cheapo brushes like I do when doing anything else other than fine detail or edge work.
These tips work even for synthetic brushes. I myself figured I don't really want to spend too much money right now on a premium natural brush. Instead, i just try to treat my synthetics as good as I can and let me tell you - you can really prolong the life of a paintbrush if you just use it delicately, dont let paint dry in it and avoid washes/metallics (if you do wash them even under running water VERY frequently). Great video - really helps save a lot of frustration!
I've found that watercolour brushes are great for mini painting. They are usually sable, have a really nice flow and maintain a sharp tip. I would highly recommend a pack of Daler Rowney aquafine brushes if you're on a budget.
I've been using Windsor & Newton Kolinsky brushed for all my miniature work for a while now, and NEVER thought to look up any brush care. I was always carefully with them, but this has totally blown me away. I'm gonna be so much more extra careful from now on! (and invest in some cheap brushes on the side, and some soap!)
I bought a set and put them in an inclosed display on the wall with a big sign that says do not use. They are beautifull brushs, I love them. I look at them every day. 🤣
So I backed the kick starter with my very first bust. The whole process was very transparent and my delivery came a day early even under the current climate BONUS, feels like Cristmas all over again. With your guides I'm really exited to get started on inhancing my skills. From being a novice to experimenting with technecs I've never tried. Like using a pallet to then wet pallet, synthetic brushes to now yours. Really looking forward to this journey with you and Eira. Well done and keep up the good work.
@@cricketerfrench7501 Nope he tells you how to care for them before you ruin them and blame it on a lack of quality in the brush which means no one will buy Squidmar brushes
@@alcovitch Which brushes are you talking about Bud? I have had Bad experiences with Raphael 8404. Which brushes have you received that were useless when you received them??? If so? If it was me? i would be letting your Supplier know that you are pissed off.
Thank You Mr. Squidmar, next time I'm painting my minis I'll follow all your tips from this video to clean my brushes. Brushes are my friends and I need to treat my friends nicely.
I’ve been thinking about getting at least one of those more expensive brushes, but I haven’t got one yet because of worrying that I will ruin it. These tips will definetly be helpful, thanks a lot! Greeting from Finland.
I did not know about the washes/contrast paints! Thanks Also, I don't know if I'm reading too much into things, but you look tired man. I've followed your kickstarter and am patiently awaiting the arrival of my brushes. It looks to me like you and your team have been busting your asses to get everything done and keep everyone happy. Just know that keeping everyone happy is impossible. Take care of yourselves and I hope you guys took a break over the holidays. You deserve it!
Tip number 1. Do not use the above mentioned brushes at all. The same effects and professional end product can be achieved with less expensive synthetic brushes. Your practice and skill is what makes a great paint job not the brushes.
Bravissimo !!!! The most complete, clear, and full of great tips for brush management. I can now say that I am a brush expert !!! My miniatures still suck but I persist ... Thanks
Oh man, I have been in this hobby for a year now and I got your brushes. I still didn't use them, because I am a bit scared to use them, thus I still paint with my old ones :D And The Don'ts list was the most valuable thing for me. Thank You so much Squidmar! This video was very much needed!
Good timing! I picked my Squidmar brushes up less than an hour ago. I would definitely not have had a second thought about using them with the washes specifically. Looking forward to using them in some post-new year painting.
Ok, I have a confession... I just use dish soap to wash my brush after every session. Granted, I've only got cheap synthetic brushes from Amazon, but it's worked well for me so far!
Pratically the message is.....DON'T use these brushes for almost everything. For brushes' soap the trick is take some pieces of it and place in an old cap, so you've always a clean one
A product recommended by a lot of professional artists is the silicoil brush cleaning tank. It has a polished aluminum coil agitator to help clean your brushes quickly to get paint out of them. Works with oil (so a mineral spirit cleaning tank) or with just plain water.
I’d like to see a video where you show suggestions for different brushes that are good for each of the mediums and types of paints. Showing how to use the cheaper or stiffer bristles to our advantage with the different painting techniques, & how to use damaged or cheap brushes in different ways. I’ll have good brushes for certain painting or detail work ONLY, And as they start to fray and get ruined, they become my dry brush or highlighter, then eventually onto being the frisket/medium / glue brushes. So I do my best to keep the very nice brushes nice and the messed up brushes get used the most
So my take away from this is that I should stick to cheap brushes while I paint my Necrons haha. Good to know so that I don't mess up expensive brushes
If a brush is beyond saving I can use it at least for dry brushing or texture paints haha. Great video, I never really thought about how washes can damage my brush! Also I have one expensive brush here I weren't brave enough to use yet. This gonna change soon tho. Thank you :)
I use 2 water pots. One Citadel Water pot for cleaning the pain, and a small glass stein for washing the brush. I also use a water bottle with a nozzle cap (like they use in boxing) for cleaning paint from my airbrush wells. It helps get paint from the nooks more easily, like a pressure wash.
there's nothing wrong with that. This guy is just trying to advertise a brand to you. Real artists use cheap brushes because the skill is what determines the outcome, not the tool.
Thank you Emil! I have seen some of these tips in other videos (no pun intended), but this has been the most comprehensive video I have yet seen on (Kolinsky sable) brush maintenance. Happy New Year!
Gave myself your brushes for Christmas, started the hobby in May and on my second cheap set and to the point thanks for the video I didn't want to touch the new brushes
The Masters brush soap has saved so many of my brushes and allowed a lot of cheaper brushes to last a lot longer. Every hobbiest should get some honestly
When you used the soap that looked like a lot of force bending it onto there. I thought you said earlier to never do that even with just water when washing it out, wut
Soap should moisturise the bristles and make them more flexible though, so maybe they don't get as damaged when they're bent wet and soapy rather than when a bit drier.
@@p_serdiuk No at all points were we talking about wet. Well, I guess he just showed us a bad visual example for the sake or not ruining a brush for the example then, because at 4:27 he pushes it against the bottom of the glass and there he pushes it just as hard as when he cleaned it with the soap at 10:11
Come on, I think for most of us his prohibitions are not 90% of our painting. If that is 90% of your painting, obviously these recommendations don't apply to you. Besides, why would you need a Series 7 to apply a wash?
Thank you so much for this video!! I bought the Kickstarter brushes and I had no idea what I was doing wrong. Fortunately I haven't done many of these things (I had used a metallic paint with one but I cleaned it thoroughly so hopefully that won't give me a problem) but the stray hairs and splitting was making me so worried. This was so useful and helpful and I will be sure to treat my new brushes like the delicate sweet babies they are.
I think if you check out how nail techs clean their brushes you will find interesting stuff. The twirl technic is one of the best. We use clear gel polish to bring out the color and then wash is with monomer which has oil and keeps it conditioned and clean. That might help you too.
I always just use three water pots at all times. I do the first dunk in the main dirty pot, get most stuff out, then give it a generous rinse in the second pot, then in the third if I'm changing colors, only the second if I'm still using the same color and just need to avoid drying paint on the brush. This allows me to really not need to change the water until I'm done for the day, for the most part. Also use a paper towel to 'dry/swipe' the brush after rinsing a few times to get hard stuff off the ferrel. Works well for me.
Best trick for me is davinci brush soap and when finished use a paper towel to absorb all the moisture from the bristles then wrap a small strip of paper towel around it.. tends to keep the point sharp
😰 : me, looking at my Windsor and Artificier brushes I bought 6 months ago. Thank you Emil for your video, I’m now feeling confident enough to start using them! 🙏 All the best and take care.
Don't know if you have it over there, but for dried on paint, the best thing I have found is hand cleaner. The stuff auto mechanics use to wash their hands. Like Gojo, Goop, or Fast Orange. It really will take the old dried out paint out of a brush, then use a good conditioner on it, or just give it a swirl in brush soap to condition it.
I think this is one of the most comprehensive tip videos on brush care I've seen. There's one thing that you usually don't see which I picked up from monsieur Darren Latham - if I have picked your curiosity check it out, don't want to post spoilers ! Agree with most of the tips, though I think some things could be debated due to the additional time/effort they take - like switching a brush for a quick shade, but if doing more stuff like that, sure! There's one thing I'd debate - the basecoat - that totally depends on what type of basecoat you're doing and what end result you want to get. What I mean is the varying level of smoothness - and I did paint Imperial Fists marine with 4 layers of Yriel Yellow as basecoat... I'd rather that be super smooth!
Knew about the issues with metallics and texture paint on decent brushes, but the potential problems with contrast and washes was news to me, so I'll definitely bear it in mind for the future - thanks for the info!!
It's bullshit because he use them for blending and you know what you do when you blend? you add water similar to wash, so naaahh wash and contrast are fine, our dude is just being a snob. You can even use them with metallics but when you are done they need to be cleaned extra carefully.
Man cheers so much for this video! I HAVE Recently after a 25 year hiatus returned to the hobby....tbf I was fairly decent all those years ago haha 😃👍. But I went all out as you constantly tell newbies not too and went for a vellejo game color 72 paint set, a scale 75 62 color set, an artis opus set of series d dry brushes(and brush cleaner and soap thay comes with said set), and finally a set of raphael brushes and I want to look after these brushes as long as humanly possible as I just love all my brushes! 👍
My brother is both an semi successful artist and professor at a fairly prestigious art school when I asked him about it he suggested after cleaning the brush to use " Fels Naphtha " to reshape the point then wash it out next use. It's amazing and works great!
To be honest I've found if you use The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver you can bring back almost anything from the dead, I've also cleaned brushes with it that look really clean and it is amazing what comes out. Keep cleaning in the palm of your hand until the paster / foam doesn't get dirty anymore, rinse once more, then lather up again, shape the brush and leave it on.
Finally got the shipping notice for my Squidmar sets. I can't wait to use them, as well as give out the extra sets I ordered. My friends won't even care they are a few days late, since they are so nice! Hoping it pushes me to paint again for the first time in months.
I knew all these except the first! Never knew washes were a problem for good brushes. Makes sense. My brushes always die quickly even though I follow all the other tips - maybe this one will make the difference
👑👑👑
We have made a brand new fantasy Universe with 10 amazing looking miniatures to paint! You can check out the campaign and support the channel - it goes live October 2022 here:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/squidmar/champions-of-sona-75mm-resin-miniatures 👑👑👑
by the end of the video I was expecting "Don't actually paint with these brushes, use them to demonstrate to others that you are a serious painter only, just use synthetic when its time to paint".
The advice is don't waste expensive brushes on jobs that cheap ones do equally well, such as basecoating and applying washes. Save sable brushes for the work that synthetics don't do as well, such as anything that requires a well controlled fine point, e.g. edge highlighting and freehanding details, or a combination of large wet paint volume plus fine control, such as wet bending.
"Don't use them for 90% of the paints you use."
Got it.
Haha, if you use contrast, washes and metallics 90% you are right :) for me those are less than 10% so these tips apply to my painting style.
Yea I’m painting necrons so basically 90% metallic
@@tylerfiore9758 oh yeah, synthetic it is :)
@@SquidmarMiniatures yep
I use some less expensice ones för all Metallic paints. But I reach a step on the necrons that I have no more mettalics to paint. So I rince my watercup, clean the metallic brushes. And swap to my squidmar brushes to the final touch ups. Used them today for the first time and it was a joy using them :) thanks Emil
Good idea and perfect timing, it's almost like you planned it... My tips are:
1. Keep paint in the top part of the brush
2. Don't use washes on nice brushes
3. Don't use metallics on nice brushes
4. Keep water clean, perhaps have two glasses of water, use one to get the excess off and the second to thoroughly clean whilst painting)
5. Store wet brushes upside down (the pringles container Squidmar shipped allows you to wedge brushes upside down in the foam)
6. Brush soap can help get baked in the paint out, but use it often otherwise it's limited in how much it can rescue your brushes in my experience.
7. Prey to the painting gods that your shiny new brushes will not split after 30 minutes despite being careful :D
Hah, nice to see you use the two glasses of water trick, I had a patent pending on that ;D
#dualwatercups
One Boy, Two Cups
You: Keep paint in the tip part of the brush.
Capillary action: No can do.
@@alexanderkoryakin9510 depends on the thickness of the paint, hence why you want to avoid washes with high flow. Regardless you will get longer life by being conscious of this risk to the brushes.
"I like to use a sharp hobby knife"
**shows literally the grubbiest, broken-tipped, knife available**
8:41
Right? Need to change that xacto blade stat.
haha, yeah!
I saw your comment before that part of the video and you did NOT exaggerate. I can’t believe it cut anything
"Don't do anything to your brushes because it will damage them"
Got it
And when you're done not painting with your brushes, wash them with fancy soap in an 80 degree angle.
Cant ruin em if you dont use em!
I know right!!
@@mergenocide Dust :)
Just avoid unboxing. Problem solved. @@jamzee_
I know there’s a lot of comments down below saying “just use cheap brushes” or “basically you’re saying don’t use the high quality brush”.
As someone new to the hobby and painting miniatures(only thing I’ve ever painted in my life was homes) I want to say that every piece of advice you’ve given on your channel has made a HUGE difference for me.
I had terrible OCD as a teenager and now that I have 3 kids, I’ve learned to let most things go buuuuutttt…. Building and painting my Black Templars has reignited those ticks and I am SUPER appreciative of your channel.
Yeah, it may take me 6 hours to paint a basic troop unit but it’s a bit faster in batches and they turn out perfect in my eye because of the advice on your channel. So I’m here learning the next steps to take care of my good brushes.
Thank you
So what I am hearing is I have no business buying this type of brush haha :)
If your not doing detail painting, no. Table quality can easily be achieved by base coating, dry brushing and washing. If you want to take it to the next level than use the natural hair brushes to carefully highlight edges or pick details.
Same 😂
lol same. I bought a $10 CAD pack of 5 brushes. Killed one of them in a week cause I was basecoating hard and fast with it and, well, whatever it's just $2.
You also shouldn't use paper towels to dry your brushes! The paper fibres are released into the hairs and can get stuck and splay them out. Use a microfiber towel.
great tip, didn't realise I was mistreating my brushes
Say whaaaaa, thank you for sharing this. So what is a good way to dry them?
Thank for the tip
Oh, come one, paper fibres... i use kolinsky brushes with contrast and shades and clean them with blotting paper al the time. I buy 2 or 3 brushes per year.
wtf thank you!!
I have a handful of Windsor & Newton brushes that I've used for about 7 years now. I use washes, contrast and metallics with them. They're absolutely fine with regular washing and cleaning using The Masters soap, and being careful about keeping the ferrule clean.
Yep. Use my sable brushes with metallics all the time. Sometimes it's the only way I'm going to get fine trim details done on a model w/o needing to reload the brush every few strokes. As long as I give them a good cleaning with the soap when I'm done, the brushes are fine. The only time I've ruined sable brushes (basically only the first few nice brushes I've bought) was when I ignorantly allowed paint to get up into the ferrule. That being said, I don't recommend using them with the super thin metallics like Vallejo Metal Color or any of the alcohol-based metallics. Those paints wick right up into the ferrule too easily.
Do you leave the brush soap in the brush to dry or rinse it thoroughly before allowing to dry? @@terpdx
Never had an issue with sable brushes and metallics, in my 30 years of painting. The key is to cleanup metallic paint extra carefully.
I have had a sable brush that has been my workhorse for the past year or so and I have been using it with metallics, washes and contrast paints this entire time and it has still kept a good point. It actually seems to have gotten a little better. I clean it with brush cleaner regularly, so that probably helps
@@joshbecka6110 I have to agree here. Mine have been absolutely fine when cleaned with a brush cleaner after every session. Fully agreed don't dry brush with them, but I really have had no issues with metallics, washes or contrast paint.
@@joshbecka6110 Same, never had the issues that Emil brings up regarding those paints.
Another 30 year plus veteran, and totally agree. Make sure you clean them and don't jab them about/drybrush with them and they last ages.
its always good to keep the plastic tube covers from when you buy your brush and use it to protect your "nice" brushes when your done for the day and finish cleaning them
Yes, but there's a thing called 'brush plastic tube black hole' in which eventually all plastic tubes end. If I had a cent for each 'plastic tube' lost :D. But do not worry, you can DiY a bunch of clear plastic tubes using a plastic tube from an empty window spraying bottle :)
The best and most comprehensive video on brush care I have seen! Some of the comments seem to miss the point that kolinsky brushes are for detail and not slapping on basecoats and washes, I certainly realised that too late when I started and so the video explaining that is helpful. It's also good to hear an explanation of why they can have split hairs from the outset, I've had that before and good to know it's not just me!
It happens. If its really bad one can always ask for replacements if it's been unused :)
I've been using a nail clipper to remove stray hairs. It works well to single the hair off, and snip it without risking damaging other hairs.
Its better to use tweezers to just pull the grungy hair out, so you don't accidentally clip something
Wow that's a great idea 🤯
The nail clippers leave that bristle hooked on the end
@@Noesus yeah that'll fuck up the entire strucutre of the brush. Don't do that... it's like pulling a brick out of a Jenga tower.
Well... you've convinced me to continue using my Army Painter brushes instead.
I had no luck with my Army Painter brushes. How are yours holding up?
@@tmk1785 I have the white ones (wargamer series) and I've been using them for a couple of years now without issue. I play skirmish games but they've probably done around 100 models so far.
The regiment brush is honestly pretty great
@@SvartElric9 Definitely! I use the Monster brush for basecoats and larger areas, Regiment for my main work horse, and Character for most detail work. The Detail brush is pretty good for really small things. I find the Insane Detail brush too small to be useful.
Not a fan of regiment brush, I mostly use my Kolinsky brushes on basically everything
To those who wonder what to use kolinski brushes for: I Use them a lot - almost all the time. Glazing, layering, highlights, details etc. Anything with acrylic paints - I use them 90% of all my painting. but you can make them last longer by skipping a few things that's hard on the brushes. Think of them as a nice regular car for every day use. Maybe a Tesla. And cheap synthetic brushes like a tractor for the dirty work.
I think a lot of us are just surprised on the use case and realize where we actually "are" on our off journey is all. We jest in partial jealously ;)
Apparently I've been using my Tesla as a bulldozer.
I use synthetics for metallics... any tips to avoid curling tips? Metallics seem to curl the synthetics super fast...
@@joshuaginn792 midwinter minis did a video on it :)
@@joshuaginn792 buy a 100 pack of eyeliner brushes on amazon for 4$
I have noticed in your last few videos that you seem really happy. Like extra happy. Like, you are trying to get through the video to tell us some really exciting news. Always a hint of a smile. It's awesome. I'm super happy for your success. Thanks for the tips.
I've done basically everything in this video at least once. Glad I watched this before I started using my new sets of brushes. Cheers from Canada!
Moral of story: just use cheap brushes
@Bingus McDrangus Team dumpster diving
And if you have a nice expensive brush, just don't use it...
This. I bought 50 brushes for $10 at Michael's right as COVID broke out and I'm still using them lol.
Yeah
They're all made in China anyway
I REALLY needed this video, I can't tell you how many of these mistakes I've accidentally made. Thanks a lot!
Massive thanks emil. i was put off kolinsky hair after I had a really bad one and not sure if I treated it the way it wanted. Am currently getting on much better with lesser quality sable hair but this video has given me clues as to why it went south. I have confidence again. When I am ready I will buy your brushes if they are still available. I love your content and would love to give back to you in some way. My tip for brush care is store them flat I have been doing this in my regular job as decorator for years and have found it to be very effective in keeping brushes useable for the longest time.
Thanks for telling me about not using the nice brushes with washes.
Hadn’t thought about it. Cheers for saving my brushes! 😁👍
thanks alot man, started this christmas with the hobby after watching countless videos and learning how to keep your brushes fresh is really helpful for a newbie
Loved how you went over "Do not base coat with your expensive brushes" i did this and it absolutely chews through them. Aside from 2 expensive brushes i use all "Wal-Mart cheapo" ones since i can replace it in 30min and they cost around $4(USD) hah
4 USD per brush?
Your number 1 recommendation just blew my mind.... Everything makes sense now! Thank God I just got a MEGA shipment of synthetic Ghost brushes...so when my Squidmars come in, they won't end up like my other sable brushes. MASSIVE lightbulb moment!!
Yeah man same! I heard this in the video and was like oh! that makes total sense ............D'oh!
@@gregmccormack5709 Same. I only started painting this year. I genuinely had no idea, couldn't figure out why my winsor and newton brush turned crappy so fast. I used it for washes, contrasts and metallic paint...
They will if you paint with anything other than pure oxygen
But most importantly, whats your favorite brush care tips?
30 brushes for 1 euros.
a good brush soap and conditioner keeps my Raphael brushes amazing and sharp!
@@jaanikaapa6925 Hot damn! Made from real straws from McDonalds?
Regular cleaning, I use imperial leather soap and my partners hair conditioner. It's so much cheaper than brush soap and does exactly the same job. I've used this on windsor and newton, artis opus and rosemary and Co. Another tip is use your good brushes for detail work, not metallics or washes and base coating. Squidmar covers this and its 100% accurate. Great video and have a great new year.
No need to take care of it if you're loaded enough to just buy new ones! Anyhow i have this buissness idea... >.>
I've used top quality Kolinsky brushes for many years now. I've never had a problem using thinned paint (glazes, washes, "contrast paint", or whatever) or metallics with them.
If your brush is wet all the way to the ferrule, say if you dip your brush in water (hint, you need to dip your brush in water), the paint is going to flow along the length of the wetted bristles. As long as you rinse regularly (I rinse every couple of minutes or so), there's no problem.
Metallics have (usually) mica flakes to give that specular reflection. These flakes can be slightly more abrasive than most pigments, but not so much that they will wreck your brushes.
And you don't need to worry much about your paint water, either. It has far less pigment than any sort of paint you're likely to use. Just rinse regularly and change your water every session or so.
Expensive brushes generally cost about three times as much as mid-grade synthetics (US prices), and regardless of what sort of acrylic paints you use, they last (IME) about ten to twenty times as long. I use my expensive brushes for everything but the most damaging tasks (drybrushing and stippling, usually).
Brushes are tools. If you buy an expensive hammer, would you avoid hitting things with that hammer? If you would, why would you bother to buy the expensive hammer at all? Hammers are for hitting things and even pretty hammers don't really look all that good on the wall. Brushes are for painting. That said, tools have limited life and you have to expect that. Buy good brushes and use good brushes.
If you just can't stomach that, buy the cheapest brushes you can find that have decent points and expect to discard them after one or two minis.
Brushes are for painting, yes. But there’s a difference in painting a neat layer and dry brushing metallics, even if it’s both “painting”. Hammers are great for hammering, but I wouldn’t use my screw driver for drilling a hole :)
@@jonashenriksson2182 If only I had said something like, "I use my expensive brushes for everything but the most damaging tasks (drybrushing and stippling, usually). "
Wait....
At the end of the day, you should do an another kickstarter for cheap brushes that we use 90% of the cases...;-)
I would genuinely love that, I always find it frustrating that the contents of assorted paintbrush packets you can grab from an art store are always kinda useless, with like 3 brushes you can use and like 4 brushes not even actual artists use. If I could buy a set of like 20 cheap brushes with multiples of the fine brushes and only one or two of the larger brushes that would be awesome.
Just go to a hobby store and get cheap brushes. In the states we have hobby lobby and Wal-Mart. Get 5 brushes or more for between 3 and 6 bucks.
@@calvinhill158 you can buy packs of cheap brushes straight from china. www.aliexpress.com/item/33008391133.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.56f76811wMtTvB&algo_pvid=fa478a87-3d53-43e0-902a-2913b9a2172e&algo_expid=fa478a87-3d53-43e0-902a-2913b9a2172e-28&btsid=0ab6f82315963221482303359e2798&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_
@@stemes2860 This is the way. Expensive brushes are way to overrated. Just use it and get a new ones more often.
With some luck they'd be better than the expensive brushes, that fall apart after 2 uses. Not exaggerating, I've got a brush from 10 years ago that's in better condition than one of the Squidmar brushes.
Thank you for the warning about contrast paints, washes, and not particularly clean water. Your explanation made complete sense, and solves my years long mystery as to why my otherwise well cared for brushes were fraying out.
So don't use them for:
Base coat.
Wash.
Dry brush.
Metallic.
That's literally all the things I ever use a brush for. 😆
I didn't know, there are other posibilities to use brush.
Ha ha ha, if that is all you use brushes for it sounds like you have absolutely no need for one of these high end brushes.
These brushes are ONLY for edge high lights and details painted on like shoulder pads and other places. This is for the fine work that takes months and months of experience and practice. Stick with your cheapo brushes like I do when doing anything else other than fine detail or edge work.
Lol you may be allowed to layer with them BUT ONLY WITH 100% PURE OXYGEN
@@joepagett7607 A fellow man of culture I see. That is how it is done!
@@OldieWan Oh yes you can't beat that rich colour the oxygen gives lol
These tips work even for synthetic brushes.
I myself figured I don't really want to spend too much money right now on a premium natural brush. Instead, i just try to treat my synthetics as good as I can and let me tell you - you can really prolong the life of a paintbrush if you just use it delicately, dont let paint dry in it and avoid washes/metallics (if you do wash them even under running water VERY frequently).
Great video - really helps save a lot of frustration!
I've found that watercolour brushes are great for mini painting. They are usually sable, have a really nice flow and maintain a sharp tip. I would highly recommend a pack of Daler Rowney aquafine brushes if you're on a budget.
Tack för grymma tutorials! Blev förvånad att du håller till här; brukar vanligtvis alltid pricka rätt på svenska dialekten ;).
I've been using Windsor & Newton Kolinsky brushed for all my miniature work for a while now, and NEVER thought to look up any brush care. I was always carefully with them, but this has totally blown me away. I'm gonna be so much more extra careful from now on! (and invest in some cheap brushes on the side, and some soap!)
I bought a set and put them in an inclosed display on the wall with a big sign that says do not use. They are beautifull brushs, I love them. I look at them every day. 🤣
*looking sideways at my watermug that i change once a month* :O
Damn, where's my shame gif when I need it.
Scary. Even letting bacteria and such form in that water. Swamp water... Nurgle worshipper detected!
So I backed the kick starter with my very first bust. The whole process was very transparent and my delivery came a day early even under the current climate BONUS, feels like Cristmas all over again. With your guides I'm really exited to get started on inhancing my skills. From being a novice to experimenting with technecs I've never tried. Like using a pallet to then wet pallet, synthetic brushes to now yours. Really looking forward to this journey with you and Eira. Well done and keep up the good work.
I see what you did here XD!
Love ur channel
The king is here
Not bad huh! He sells brushes and then tells you how to care for them so you don't need to buy more!!!
@@cricketerfrench7501 Nope he tells you how to care for them before you ruin them and blame it on a lack of quality in the brush which means no one will buy Squidmar brushes
@@alcovitch Which brushes are you talking about Bud? I have had Bad experiences with Raphael 8404. Which brushes have you received that were useless when you received them???
If so? If it was me? i would be letting your Supplier know that you are pissed off.
Thank You Mr. Squidmar, next time I'm painting my minis I'll follow all your tips from this video to clean my brushes.
Brushes are my friends and I need to treat my friends nicely.
I’ve been thinking about getting at least one of those more expensive brushes, but I haven’t got one yet because of worrying that I will ruin it. These tips will definetly be helpful, thanks a lot! Greeting from Finland.
It's def worth it, really helps follow shapes and paint details
I did not know about the washes/contrast paints! Thanks
Also, I don't know if I'm reading too much into things, but you look tired man. I've followed your kickstarter and am patiently awaiting the arrival of my brushes. It looks to me like you and your team have been busting your asses to get everything done and keep everyone happy. Just know that keeping everyone happy is impossible. Take care of yourselves and I hope you guys took a break over the holidays. You deserve it!
Tip number 1. Do not use the above mentioned brushes at all. The same effects and professional end product can be achieved with less expensive synthetic brushes. Your practice and skill is what makes a great paint job not the brushes.
Bravissimo !!!!
The most complete, clear, and full of great tips for brush management.
I can now say that I am a brush expert !!!
My miniatures still suck but I persist ...
Thanks
Oh man, I have been in this hobby for a year now and I got your brushes. I still didn't use them, because I am a bit scared to use them, thus I still paint with my old ones :D And The Don'ts list was the most valuable thing for me. Thank You so much Squidmar! This video was very much needed!
Good timing! I picked my Squidmar brushes up less than an hour ago. I would definitely not have had a second thought about using them with the washes specifically. Looking forward to using them in some post-new year painting.
I hadn't considered that about the contrast and washes. Nice tips!
My brushes arrived today! Looking forward to trying them out
Ok, I have a confession... I just use dish soap to wash my brush after every session. Granted, I've only got cheap synthetic brushes from Amazon, but it's worked well for me so far!
Dish sope is good.
Best if you have an acid like vinegar afterwards.
@@cromcraft3494 nah sulfuric acid. Cleans really well. No paint left in brush.
literally about to use new kolinsky sable brushes i got for christmas and saw this. thanks for the tips
Pratically the message is.....DON'T use these brushes for almost everything. For brushes' soap the trick is take some pieces of it and place in an old cap, so you've always a clean one
A product recommended by a lot of professional artists is the silicoil brush cleaning tank. It has a polished aluminum coil agitator to help clean your brushes quickly to get paint out of them. Works with oil (so a mineral spirit cleaning tank) or with just plain water.
"Sorry if your completely bald, you don't count"
Hurtful 🥲
Or a win, you can rub as much sand in your hair as you want 😁
I swear by the winsor & newton restorer. It's helped me bring back a couple of brushes that I thought were too far gone.
man i just buy a brush yesterday and i was thinking i dont want to ruin my brush . ty for the tips
Well I've done ALL the don'ts and didn't do almost all of the do's. Thanks for the lesson!
Ballerina Brushes brought to you by Squidmar Miniatures
Finest tippy toe brushes
I’d like to see a video where you show suggestions for different brushes that are good for each of the mediums and types of paints. Showing how to use the cheaper or stiffer bristles to our advantage with the different painting techniques, & how to use damaged or cheap brushes in different ways.
I’ll have good brushes for certain painting or detail work ONLY, And as they start to fray and get ruined, they become my dry brush or highlighter, then eventually onto being the frisket/medium / glue brushes. So I do my best to keep the very nice brushes nice and the messed up brushes get used the most
So my take away from this is that I should stick to cheap brushes while I paint my Necrons haha. Good to know so that I don't mess up expensive brushes
Thank you Emil for showing me how to stop punishing my brushes! You are so awesome and I appreciate everything that you do.👊👊👊
I've never thought about not using it with washes and metal paint. And it makes sense. Thanks!!!
“I like to use a sharp hobby knife”. Proceeds to use a blunt broken rekt excuse of a blade.
Yeah, wtf? That thing was sad.
This video probably saved me from absolutely ruining my new brushes I just bought, thank you.
If a brush is beyond saving I can use it at least for dry brushing or texture paints haha.
Great video, I never really thought about how washes can damage my brush!
Also I have one expensive brush here I weren't brave enough to use yet. This gonna change soon tho. Thank you :)
I use 2 water pots. One Citadel Water pot for cleaning the pain, and a small glass stein for washing the brush. I also use a water bottle with a nozzle cap (like they use in boxing) for cleaning paint from my airbrush wells. It helps get paint from the nooks more easily, like a pressure wash.
I've literally used all my Citadel fine detail brushes in the exact ways you said not too....*heavy sigh*
there's nothing wrong with that. This guy is just trying to advertise a brand to you. Real artists use cheap brushes because the skill is what determines the outcome, not the tool.
@@DeathmetalPersian I certainly won't be buying the brand he has but I have been more careful about what I use each brush for though.
You seem a bit pessimist
In my experience, Citadel brushes are of lesser quality than a 50 pack of dollar store brushes.
I'm brand new at painting and needed this video!!! I was just about to search it up. So glad you posted.
7:35 leans over to the extra thicc dirty water in my jar that i use for cleaning brushes ... uuhh its good for another cople weeks im sure of it.
Great timing, my Squidmar MK1 brushes arrived today. Looking forward to using them!
Probably would have been a shorter video to just show us when to use our nice brushes lol
Thank you Emil! I have seen some of these tips in other videos (no pun intended), but this has been the most comprehensive video I have yet seen on (Kolinsky sable) brush maintenance. Happy New Year!
Might as well have said "Just don't use the brushes, ever" and saved us 15 minutes of our lives.
Gave myself your brushes for Christmas, started the hobby in May and on my second cheap set and to the point thanks for the video I didn't want to touch the new brushes
Oh but you must try! Its quite a difference in how it follows the miniature :) be brave my friend
Me: During this vid start looking toward my cheap ass brusches that looks like shite 😬
The Masters brush soap has saved so many of my brushes and allowed a lot of cheaper brushes to last a lot longer. Every hobbiest should get some honestly
When you used the soap that looked like a lot of force bending it onto there. I thought you said earlier to never do that even with just water when washing it out, wut
There's a point past which you shouldn't bend it. Approaching 90 degrees roughly. When he was doing was fine.
It looked pretty extreme to me too.
Soap should moisturise the bristles and make them more flexible though, so maybe they don't get as damaged when they're bent wet and soapy rather than when a bit drier.
@@p_serdiuk No at all points were we talking about wet.
Well, I guess he just showed us a bad visual example for the sake or not ruining a brush for the example then, because at 4:27 he pushes it against the bottom of the glass and there he pushes it just as hard as when he cleaned it with the soap at 10:11
I have a new kolinsky sable, my first one ever so THANK YOU~! This video came out at exactly the right time!
So basically, what we learned from this is don't use your paint brush for painting with :)
I think you missed the point hahaha
Use your good brushes for layering, glazing, highlights, details. Anything that don't require brute force or ruins the hair.
Come on, I think for most of us his prohibitions are not 90% of our painting. If that is 90% of your painting, obviously these recommendations don't apply to you. Besides, why would you need a Series 7 to apply a wash?
@@j.mcq.8418 You do realise we are simply being sarcastic?
Really great tips thank you. Just bought a bunch of brushes today, some of these tips will help to have them for longer hopefully.
I learned not to buy kolinski brushes.
Shorter video to explain what paints you can actually use with them
Good video man. Patience and precision was what I learned the hard way. And now I'll never let 'em sit in a cup of water again!
Got it. Don’t use expensive brushes
Thank you so much for this video!! I bought the Kickstarter brushes and I had no idea what I was doing wrong. Fortunately I haven't done many of these things (I had used a metallic paint with one but I cleaned it thoroughly so hopefully that won't give me a problem) but the stray hairs and splitting was making me so worried. This was so useful and helpful and I will be sure to treat my new brushes like the delicate sweet babies they are.
Glad I could help!
Thank you, you just saved me from ruining my brushes. I had no idea that washes and contrasts was a no no :)
First video I’ve seen regarding the damage metallic paints do to fine brushes !!!
Might be the most important mini video I have seen! Can't wait for the brushes!
I think if you check out how nail techs clean their brushes you will find interesting stuff. The twirl technic is one of the best. We use clear gel polish to bring out the color and then wash is with monomer which has oil and keeps it conditioned and clean. That might help you too.
I always just use three water pots at all times. I do the first dunk in the main dirty pot, get most stuff out, then give it a generous rinse in the second pot, then in the third if I'm changing colors, only the second if I'm still using the same color and just need to avoid drying paint on the brush. This allows me to really not need to change the water until I'm done for the day, for the most part. Also use a paper towel to 'dry/swipe' the brush after rinsing a few times to get hard stuff off the ferrel. Works well for me.
Best trick for me is davinci brush soap and when finished use a paper towel to absorb all the moisture from the bristles then wrap a small strip of paper towel around it.. tends to keep the point sharp
😰 : me, looking at my Windsor and Artificier brushes I bought 6 months ago. Thank you Emil for your video, I’m now feeling confident enough to start using them! 🙏 All the best and take care.
Don't know if you have it over there, but for dried on paint, the best thing I have found is hand cleaner.
The stuff auto mechanics use to wash their hands. Like Gojo, Goop, or Fast Orange.
It really will take the old dried out paint out of a brush, then use a good conditioner on it, or just give it a swirl in brush soap to condition it.
I think this is one of the most comprehensive tip videos on brush care I've seen. There's one thing that you usually don't see which I picked up from monsieur Darren Latham - if I have picked your curiosity check it out, don't want to post spoilers ! Agree with most of the tips, though I think some things could be debated due to the additional time/effort they take - like switching a brush for a quick shade, but if doing more stuff like that, sure! There's one thing I'd debate - the basecoat - that totally depends on what type of basecoat you're doing and what end result you want to get. What I mean is the varying level of smoothness - and I did paint Imperial Fists marine with 4 layers of Yriel Yellow as basecoat... I'd rather that be super smooth!
Just got my Squidmar brushes in the mail last night :D cant wait to use them
Knew about the issues with metallics and texture paint on decent brushes, but the potential problems with contrast and washes was news to me, so I'll definitely bear it in mind for the future - thanks for the info!!
It's bullshit because he use them for blending and you know what you do when you blend? you add water similar to wash, so naaahh wash and contrast are fine, our dude is just being a snob. You can even use them with metallics but when you are done they need to be cleaned extra carefully.
Man cheers so much for this video! I HAVE Recently after a 25 year hiatus returned to the hobby....tbf I was fairly decent all those years ago haha 😃👍. But I went all out as you constantly tell newbies not too and went for a vellejo game color 72 paint set, a scale 75 62 color set, an artis opus set of series d dry brushes(and brush cleaner and soap thay comes with said set), and finally a set of raphael brushes and I want to look after these brushes as long as humanly possible as I just love all my brushes! 👍
My brother is both an semi successful artist and professor at a fairly prestigious art school when I asked him about it he suggested after cleaning the brush to use " Fels Naphtha " to reshape the point then wash it out next use. It's amazing and works great!
Got my brushes today. They are awesome!
To be honest I've found if you use The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver you can bring back almost anything from the dead, I've also cleaned brushes with it that look really clean and it is amazing what comes out. Keep cleaning in the palm of your hand until the paster / foam doesn't get dirty anymore, rinse once more, then lather up again, shape the brush and leave it on.
Finally got the shipping notice for my Squidmar sets. I can't wait to use them, as well as give out the extra sets I ordered. My friends won't even care they are a few days late, since they are so nice! Hoping it pushes me to paint again for the first time in months.
I knew all these except the first! Never knew washes were a problem for good brushes. Makes sense. My brushes always die quickly even though I follow all the other tips - maybe this one will make the difference
Wow! That was such good advice. Thanks! I'm new to the hobby and I had no idea that's how you look after brushes! So good. Thanks a heap!