Cheap Synthetic Brushes Vs. Expensive Sable Paintbrushes- Microscope examination!

I got the idea for this video from chat while hanging out on Twitch! I'm in the habit of streaming on twitch Sunday afternoons ~~ 3pm EST. See ya there! :-) www.twitch.tv/goobertown_hobbies

I would absolutely love to see a video with your process of how you rehab those older brushes, they look great when you were done with them!

As a laboratory scientist, i just wanna say your slide prep is just fine.

The cats are on top form this episode

My father trained as a sign writer back when it was still done by hand. I still have some of his fine detail brushes from the 1960s. He always said 'Look after your brushes and they will look after you.' He meant always keep them clean. I am often surprised at how many mini painters don't clean and store sable brushes after each session. My father also said professional tools don't make you a better artisan, but they do allow you to do the job with less trouble.

People within Games Workshop have revealed that GW-brushes are in-fact just rebranded Winsor & Newton brushes.

For content: Could you test the adage (that for example squidmar is saying) that you should use cheap brushes for metallics, because it messes them up or destroys them for other non metallic color use? I think the microscope could be very beneficial here. Testing old wifes tales as an idea, or like hobby myth busters.

I'm a traditional painter, and this is probably the best video ive seen on brush comparisons. Really knocking it out of the park here on how the different brush fibers interact. might need to pick up some of those $0.07 brushes for single use fine detail work.

YES, some OG Goobertown nerdery! This is my kinda shit. And I know some watercolor artists who will love this one, so I'll get sharing. ❤

I get the impression that brushes marketed as specialized tools for mini painting generally give you less value for money than brushes from non-specialized brands. It does make sense economically, as they operate in a space where there's less competition (game store vs. art supplies store) and they do provide some value for the buyer by explicitly informing them that a specific brush is suitable for the intended task. If you're going to be painting base coats, a brush that's marketed as being good for base coats is probably a decent choice. It might be functionally identical to a no. 5 brush from a general brand that 30% cheaper, but if you don't know enough about brushes to tell that they're basically the same, you might want to pay the extra 43% to be able to stay in the store where you just bought a mini and not run the risk that you buy something that just doesn't do what you want it to. It also fits my anecdotal observation that many people switch to general art brands once they have enough experience to know what they're looking for.

Stuff like this is why I love Goobs, just a quick interesting dive into something a lot of us wouldn't think of.

Need that scope to paint eyes.

Here's a tip for your tool box/ For clipping off those errant strands of fibre on old brushes, use nail clippers. The curved shape of the blade allows you to be selective about the strands you want to clip and they are sharp enough to take that fibre out.

Pro tip.: Dont waste your money on a tiny brushes to paint eyes. Buy a Micro-Pen Fineliner Size 005.

What a fantastic video! Educational, entertaining, and original also? meta breaking.

Nothing like some sweet hobby science to get you ready for the week.

I really appreciate the scientific approach to this question. I have constantly asked myself if I was going about things the wrong way preferring synthetic brushed(mostly for the cost point). I also really appreciate you saying the brushes that you use the most!!!!

Actually the most useful video on brushes of all time

Always such a pleasure to get the notification for your videos. They cut through the noise of a lot of hobby content by being informative, non-clickbaity and full of personality, truly in a league of their own.

I bought like 100 synthetic brushes for less than $10. They are great for base coating (you dont generally need precision) even when their tips start to bend. They are also great for paints and effect paints that you dont want to expose to your nicer brushes (texture paints, rust paint, oil, ect). Everyone should have at least a pack of these as sacrificial brushes.