Federation Commander

A 10/0 with natural hair bristles

Check the Sunday ads for stores like Michael's and Jo-Ann fabrics. They'll have coupons and they also sell artist brushes.

I just needed to know the size I needed for very fine detailing.

Jscot991 wrote:I just needed to know the size I needed for very fine detailing.

It's a matter of personal preference.
Most people use a 10/0 or 20/0 spotter for the fine details.

I'm more of a rebel, myself.
99% of my painting is done with a #1 or #2 brush. The details are just done using less paint and a lighter touch.

Scoutdad wrote:

Jscot991 wrote:I just needed to know the size I needed for very fine detailing.

It's a matter of personal preference.
Most people use a 10/0 or 20/0 spotter for the fine details.

I'm more of a rebel, myself.
99% of my painting is done with a #1 or #2 brush. The details are just done using less paint and a lighter touch.

I'm actually in that same boat.

Funny thing is that a lot of people think you need a crazy small brush to do detail work, and that's actually not the case. In fact, too small a brush can make it more difficult to do detail work. Why?

Small brushes have a very small "belly" (the part of the brush that holds the paint), and so it tends to dry out much faster. This means you have thicker, gloopier paint on your small brush, which makes it harder to get off the brush easily. Plus, you wind up going back to pick up more paint more often.

A much better brush to use for detail work is a larger one that can keep a good, sharp point. It's also important to thin your paints a touch so they come off the brush easily (but not too easily! you don't want the paint to be a wash consistency for doing detail work), and so the paint keeps open while on the brush.

Agreed. A very high quality larger brush that will consistently hold a fine point is far superior to a lower-quality smaller brush (which will fray and have hairs going every which way in short-order).

Brushes is one of the cases where you really do get what you pay for.

This is an excellent video describing the use of "Magic Wash" made with clear acrylic floor polish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR3aIAth5qU

I've been using washes for years and even I learned something (I've been adding way too much water to mine, and negating the "magic" from the Future).

Practice, practice, practice. Don't be afraid to experiment. The worst that can happen is that you will have to clean off and redo the mini.

I use an airbrush for priming and sealing, and sometimes for basecoating. I've found that I get a lot more consistency versus spray cans. However, the initial investment is probably not where you want your money to go if you're just starting out.