Vallejo Kolinsky Sable Brush 3/0 Model Kit
As a miniature painting enthusiast with over 20 years of experience, I’m often asked – what are the best sable hair brushes to use? Through extensive testing and research, I’ve discovered the key features that make certain sable brushes excel for painting miniatures and models. In this definitive guide, I’ll share my hands-on knowledge about sable brush materials, sizes, shapes, care, and reputable brands to choose. Whether you’re a beginner looking to upgrade from cheap starter packs, or a seasoned hobbyist seeking to take your skills to the next level, read on for my top tips and recommendations! Sable hair brushes are preferred over synthetics by most expert mini painters, and for good reason. The natural fibers have properties that make applying paint easier and give greater control. The two main types of sable used are: Red Sable – An affordable natural hair option, though quality varies across brands. These brushes are a good intermediate choice before investing in the top-tier kolinsky sable. Kolinsky Sable – The finest quality sable available, often called red sable or sabeline squirrel hair. Kolinsky offers unparalleled abilities like excellent moisture retention, snap, precision tip, and longevity. That’s why this extra-soft hair is favored by artists painting the finest details. Of course, with the luxurious kolinsky being rare and highly coveted, it comes at a steep price. But devotees of these brushes swear their performance and potential lifespan of years makes them well worth the investment for serious hobbyists. Sable brushes tend to be more expensive, read our breakdown on Budget Vs Premium Paint Brushes for Miniatures Due to the handmade crafting process for the best sable brushes, and natural variability even within the same hair type, testing brushes first-hand can prevent disappointments. When examining sable brushes at local specialty art stores, use these quick tips before committing to a purchase: Looking for Brushes? Check out the Best Brushes for Miniature Painting For online buyers, shop sites with good return policies, and consider starting out with cheaper synthetic brushes first. Once you’ve honed your skills, upgrade brushes to invest in the responsive precision that quality sable provides. Beyond hair type, the dimensions of the sable brush head drastically affect its handling. For painting miniatures, I’ve found these parameters to work beautifully: Shape: Pointed Round – The partly tapered tip allows for detail work, while the round belly enables holding adequate paint for blending and basecoating too. Size: #0, #1 or #2 – Brushes around these sizes can tackle fine details like eyes, yet still carry enough paint for broader strokes. They offer versatility for most tasks when painting miniatures. Bristle Length: 8 to 12mm – Long enough bristles have flexibility to paint smoothly. Shorter than 8mm limits paint carrying capacity needed for miniature work. Ferrule Width: 1.5 to 2mm – The width indicates bristle density. Around 2mm allows the brush to hold paint while keeping a responsive springy tip. The control and paint flow possible with a quality pointed round sable brush matching these specifications makes your artwork much easier, whether you’re embellishing fine freehand details or laying broader bases. Brush sizes can be confusing, read our guide on Brush Sizes for Miniatures To prolong the lifespan of natural hair brushes follow this care routine: I recommend getting ‘ The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver ’. This specialty soap has preserved brushes I’ve used for over 20 years! Preventing paint residue from hardening allows the sable hair to remain soft, springy and responsive. Through first-hand testing of countless brushes, these brands stand out to me as the pinnacle for painting miniatures and models: Regarded by many top-tier artists as the gold standard, Artis Opus brushes are specially engineered in consultation with expert miniature painters. The Series S range with sizes from #000 to #3 is ideal for most tasks. Step up to the Series M for ultra-fine details requiring extreme precision. Unparalleled quality comes at a premium price, but the sheer performance of these brushes makes every meticulous stroke a joy! For me, Artis Opus is hands-down the best sable brand tailored specifically for hobbyists. A longtime favorite of artists painting the finest details for centuries, many expert mini painters also swear by these top-shelf kolinsky sable brushes. Just ensure buying the regular Series 7, not the ‘Miniature’ range which has shorter bristles. The Winsor & Newton is likely the most universally popular sable brush across all artistic mediums, albeit at a steep cost. But their reliably high standards make it a safe choice. A lesser known brand gaining traction in the miniature community for matching the quality of Winsor & Newton at greater affordability. Their Kolinsky Sable 8404 range rivals and even exceeds the performance of better-known options for some artists. With its ability to hold copious paint while keeping a sharp tip, lush brushed-on color gradations are a joy with the Raphaël 8404 – it could easily be my favorite among these elite brushes! I’d recommend the above sable brushes even to hobbyists on a budget by starting with smaller sizes first. As your experience grows, the finesse possible with quality sable becomes increasingly apparent. The initial investment pays back over years of use. Whilst top-tier sable brushes allow greater control and precision, don’t underestimate cheaper synthetic brushes. When beginning, less costly bristles help build skill without worry of ruining expensive sable. Upgrading later allows fully utilizing your fancy new tools! Popular hobby brand sets like Army Painter Regiment or Citadel provide perfectly capable ‘starter brushes’ for new miniature painters. Their low price point and smaller range of sizes cater well to novices. I still use cheap bristle brushes from 20 years ago for dry brushing or mixing paints. So don’t throw these away when you upgrade! Having both high-end sable and cheaper synthetics form a versatile brush arsenal. I hope this guide has shed light on selecting the best sable hair brushes for painting miniatures and scale models! Remember to pick shapes and sizes matching your needs. Seek top rated brands like Artis Opus catering specifically to hobbyists for a truly elevated experience. And whether you’re using premium sable or budget synthetic bristles, consistently caring for them well enables bringing your tabletop visions to life with vivid dimension. Let me know in the comments if you have any other brush tips or questions! To learn more miniature painting techniques, check out my YouTube channel at warhammeruniverse.com for helpful tutorials and insights! Space Marine 2 Roadmap: The Ultimate Guide to Warhammer 40k’s Most Anticipated Release Key Takeaways: Release Date, Free Updates, New Modes, Missions, Enemies, Weapons, Battle Space Marine 2 Patch 4.0: An Analysis of New Content, Balance Adjustments, and Community Reactions Key Takeaways: Thrilling new PvE Operation “Termination” Punishing Lethal Difficulty WarhammerUniverse.com is an independent, fan-driven website and is not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by Games Workshop Limited. All trademarks, logos, and images related to Warhammer, Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, and other related intellectual property are the exclusive property of Games Workshop Limited. Any use of such trademarks and intellectual property on this site is for informational or entertainment purposes only. We do not claim ownership of any Warhammer-related images, characters, or designs featured on this website, and they remain the sole property of Games Workshop Limited . I’ve just updated my original post on my favorite paintbrushes to ensure it still reads clearly and provides the most useful advice for all modelers. Whether you’re weathering, working on fine details, or dry-brushing, I’ve found a reliable mix of synthetic and sable brushes that always get the job done. In this update, I highlight my go-to brushes, including AK-Interactive's durable orange-handled synthetics, Winsor & Newton’s premium Series 7 sable brushes, and some surprisingly affordable finds from Tamiya. Linc’s Favourite Brushes! “It’s all about picking the right tool for the job, and I’ve had great success with these brushes over the years.” Curious how I use these brushes throughout their lifecycle? I rotate them as they wear down, assigning them new roles from fine detail work to weathering and beyond. It’s all part of the fun of modeling! Check out the full article for more details on why I love these brushes and how they perform. Whether you’re a seasoned modeler or just starting out, I hope you find your own go-to brushes as well. Read the original post here!