Thursday 6 August 2009

The new Games Workshop paint brushes

Earlier this week I picked up one of the Standard Games Workshop Paint Brushes, the new ones that have been recently featured in White Dwarf. At just £3.20 I felt it was good value and well made.


I choose the Standard Brush as I wanted to check one out before buying the whole range (or in my case most of the range).

Initial tests show that the brush is indeed a good quality item and I would expect to pick up more. In reviewing the single brush I would say that 8 out of 10 is a reasonable rating.

Tony

6 comments:

Pint_Glass_Crusader said...

Damn £3.20!
That's pretty steep, the local hobby shop around here (which is not 50 yards from the local GW) does great brushes for £1.50-£2.50, depending on how much you want to pay.
Over the years, I've found that it's not really the price of the brush (although more £ generally means better quality bristles), but how you take care of the brush that counts.
Rinsing the brush with warm water and using a mild soap & water mix to clean them when your finished, makes them last a lot longer than cold water alone.
I've also been told that a product called 'Pink Soap' is supposed to be good, but I haven't been able to get any locally, so I just use a few drops of cheap washing-up liquid in some warm water... that generally does the trick.
Nice review though, keep up the good work.

Eli Arndt said...

I gave up on pricey brushes ages ago. My painting schedule is often interrupted got long periods of time and my brushes get neglected, not to mention they are often pirated by my children.

I now by cheaper brushes in near bulk and then use the bristles for terrain when I finally kill them. About the only brushes I buy for quality are the super small detail brushes.

What I am looking for right now are decent quality brushes at rock bottom prices.

-Eli

Tony said...

Hi Eli

Not much help - but when I visited Austria some years ago I picked up a load (20 plus) brushes for less than 1 Euro (75p) each.

Thay have lasted me well but I now know that I need to be looking for 'Good Brushes' at a reasonable price (and available easily).

The GW brushes are good quality and available in many outlets. At £3.20 they are a little pricy but I will have to use them (and abuse them) before I know if they are worth the money.

Tony

Rob Alderman said...

Hey Tony

I'm an art student and usually expect to pay between 5 and 8 pounds for a good quality brush. 3.20 for a hobby brush is next to nothing really. They just need looking after.
Cheaper brushes are fine, but what I really look out for a brushes that will retain their point and their body. I HATE nylon brushes and I read that these ones are not nylon (or at least only 10 or 20%, I cannot quite remember).

Nice to hear what you think about them, I may have to pick some of these up myself as my brushes have all gone to pot!

Rob

Tony said...

Hi Rob

As an art student don't you get student discount?

Some years ago my wife bought me a water colour painting course at the local college and as a student I was able to get 15% discount at all art stores in the area!

You should try it! The only time that I ever bought W&N no. 7 sable brushes.

Tony

Rob Alderman said...

Never been able to afford a student discount card!
However, I will get the chance to use the uni shop once I start!
I bought some of these new GW brushes and they are excellent. They really are, so cheers for the headsup fella!
Rob