I'm always on the lookout for cheap prices on these brushes (Raphael 8404s and Winsor & Newton Series 7s). This morning, I came across artsupplies.co.uk, who stock the Winsor & Newton brushes with incredibly cheap prices, and best of all, it's only 5 quid to have them shipped down to us in NZ. It works out at roughly $15 apiece for a couple of brushes, and less if you buy more.
The direct link is here. I would not recommend going any smaller than a Size 0, and a Size 1 is the perfect size for almost all painting except very fine detail. Whatever you do, stay away from the Series 7 Miniature (not on this page, but they sell them as well). They have a smaller well, and therefore don't hold as much paint.
The Raphael 8404s are still available at secretweaponminiatures.com, and will likely run you about $20 each after shipping. Look back to the previous post for a comparison of the two brands, but the basic recommendation is just to pick whichever is cheaper at the time.
For prices this low, nobody really has an excuse not to pick up at least a brush or two to try out. You will definitely not regret it!
Thanks Jack, been looking to realease some NZD into the wild, and this is the perfect reason :)
ReplyDeleteNice find Jack, I have solidly abused my w&n s7 for a good 2+ years now, so they are nearly ready to be replaced (yes, for those reading: that's how long these brushes last!).
DeleteAlso,
DeleteI primarily paint with a size 2, until I get to the last couple of stages of hilights and fine detail, at which point I swap out to a size 1 - you dont need to go as small as with other brushes, as these hold such quality points.
Would they be any good for painting the deck?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure you'd get any use from them unless your eyes are actually able to focus on the tip, so I'd give it a miss.
DeleteThanks, my painting needs all the help it can get.
ReplyDeleteOn a related note an article about airbrushes (specifically which ones are good/where to get them in NZ) would be awesome.
I'll mostly leave that one for Charlie to do properly, since he's now the resident airbrushing expert.
DeleteAs far as I know, we have the same compressor, and the I believe the cheapest place to get that is TradeMe (due to weight problems with shipping from overseas). This one here: http://www.trademe.co.nz/building-renovation/tools/airtools-compressors/compressors/auction-439908508.htm
Other than throwing away the airbrush that comes with the compressor (because it's cheap and very nasty), I know nothing about airbrush models, so Charlie field that one. I just use whichever one I find hooked up to Dad's compressor :)
I'll do an airbrushing article (though I think it will need to be a series) in the coming days, as I really do see a lot of value in them, and as you get more and more used to them you can start to do some amazing things that not only save time, but you can do things you could never do with a hand brush.
DeleteIt's not the magic bullet many people want it to be though, it is at best another tool, but one with a far far steeper learning curve.
There was one recently on Thrallblacks which was good. Same model compressor as Charlie and I have.
ReplyDeleteI learned from Charlie last week that I should be using lower pressure
You can get the Raphael 8404's in NZ (both standard and miniture/touch up) from your local art supply store. Just ask them to order some in if they dont stock them.
ReplyDeleteApparently they are also used for touching up pictures and photographs
There is an importer/distributor based in Auckland.
Ive been paying from 15-20 a brush, sizes 000 through to 3
Tim