So, you’re looking for the best brush for painting minis? Ever feel like you’re one split hair away from tossing your model across the room? I’ve been there. Here’s a pro tip: No brush makes the painter. Thousands of hours with the tools you already own bring you there.
In this article, I share my experience playing (and experimenting) with dozens of brushes, from luxury kolinsky sables to budget synthetics. Expensive doesn’t mean better. Brushes are like shoes, fit comes with use. you only know the fit after a few miles on your path. Here, I offer my insights and personal top picks for what I think are the best brushes for painting miniatures and models.
In a Hurry? My Top 3 Picks 🏆
- Winsor & Newton Series 7 size 1 (Most popular and recommended; see my review)
- Da Vinci Watercolor Series 10 Maestro size 1 (Best professional alternative to the W& N Series 7)
- The Army Painter Regiment (An all-purpose workhorse brush; see the in-depth review)
Quick Buyer’s Guide
When you first dive into brushes, the sheer variety can be overwhelming. Here’s a quick rundown to ground you:
- Shapes that matter: Round brushes are your everyday workhorses. A size 1 or 2 will carry you through base coats and most details. Detail brushes (00–000) let you tackle tiny eyes, freehand patterns or script. Flat or chisel brushes create clean edge highlights. Filbert brushes — with their rounded tip — blend soft gradients. And drybrushes have short, stiff bristles for weathering and texture.
- Hair types: Kolinsky sable bristles are prized for holding a sharp point, springing back to shape and carrying plenty of paint. This makes techniques like layering and glazing feel smooth and controlled. Synthetic brushes are tough and budget friendly; they work well for metallics, washes and harsh cleaning, though their tips may curl sooner. Blended brushes combine sable and synthetic, offering a balance of snap and paint capacity at a lower price.
- Sizes you need: Most painters get by with three sizes: a 1 or 2 for general work, a 00 or 000 for fine details, and a 4–6 for quick basecoating. You don’t need every size under the sun; learn with a few and expand as you discover your style.
- Key qualities: Pay attention to tip retention (does it stay sharp after many rinses?), snap/spring (does it return to shape), paint capacity (how much paint the belly holds), durability, handle comfort and value.
- Care matters: Rinse your brush often while painting. At the end of a session, use brush soap to clean out paint and condition the bristles. Shape the tip with your fingers and lay it flat to dry. Avoid loading paint deep into the ferrule; with care, a good brush can last 6–12 months.
Tip: When in doubt, buy the quality you need. It saves you money in the long run.
Top 10 Brushes for Painting Miniatures
Below are my ten favorite brushes after years of painting miniatures, entire armies, eg., Warhammer 40k, AoS, Conquest, Warmachine/Hordes, DnD, display pieces and everything in between.
Note that this list is not ordered from “best to worst”. It is a list of my brushes that I rely on and find valuable for my mini painting work. Links to my full user reviews are also included below.
1. Winsor & Newton Series 7 (Size 1/2) – A Luxury Experience
You’ve probably heard painters gush about the Series 7, and for good reason. When I first picked one up, I finally understood why pros rave about kolinsky sable. The brush makes you want to paint more. It is a simple tool, but gives you the power to perform tasks that you have struggled with. Hobby acrylics flow smoothly, and the bristles keep a needle‑sharp point that snaps back naturally. The belly holds enough paint to cover several highlights, and the natural spring makes lines glide.
At first, I balked at the price, but after a few sessions I realized it saves time and frustration. The pointed round size #1 is perfect for almost any miniature painting project. The size #0 is good for the fine details, but necessary in my opinion. Beginners can wait; if you’re serious about improving your craft, the investment pays off.
- Why This Brush: This is the brush that all other brushes are measured by. Suddenly, delicate freehand patterns and details feel less intimidating because the brush cooperates with you rather than against you. You pay for what you get with the Winsor & Newton Series 7.
- Specs: Kolinsky sable, round, sizes 0–2, long lacquered handle.
- Pros: Incredible point, generous paint capacity, natural spring, luxurious feel.
- Cons: Expensive; occasional quality control variation.
- Best uses: Glazing, layering, eyes, fine lining. When you’re painting something important and don’t want to fight your brush.
- Mindful note: Taking time to clean and store this brush properly becomes part of your ritual. It reminds you that your tools deserve care too.
2. Artis Opus S‑Series – For Smooth Layers and Glazes
When Artis Opus released their brushes, I jumped on the Kickstarter train. The S‑Series sits somewhere between the Series 7 and standard kolinsky: The bristles are slightly stiffer, giving a snappy spring ideal for layering and glazing. I love how the brush naturally stops me from overworking a spot.
The snap acts like a gentle reminder to step back. The elegant handle and engraved ferrule feel wonderful and have a featherweight agility (this may not be comfortable for everyone, but I love it).
- Why This Brush: It’s a brush that encourages patience. Each stroke feels deliberate, and it simply works as you would expect and stays out your way. Forewarning, it takes some practice as a lighter touch works best to get the most out of this brush.
- Specs: Kolinsky sable, round, sizes 0–2, engraved wooden handle.
- Pros: Snappy spring, fine point, premium build, ergonomic balance.
- Cons: Pricey; limited availability — you may need to order from the manufacturer when Amazon runs out.
- Best uses: Glazing, layered highlights, freehand patterns, blending large surfaces.
- Mindful note: If you struggle with overworking your blends, this brush’s bounce helps you trust the process and let layers dry.
3. Army Painter Wargamer Regiment – The Everyday Workhorse
During a particularly busy commission season, I needed a brush that could survive constant use without babying. Enter the Wargamer Regiment. With its hybrid sable‑synthetic bristles, it delivers about 90 % of the performance of a pure sable brush at a fraction of the cost. The triangular handle surprised me: it provides a secure grip, stops the brush from rolling off my desk and makes long sessions more comfortable. After a year of heavy use, mine still holds a respectable point.
- Why it resonates: It bridges the gap between premium and budget. You don’t feel guilty loading it with a thicker paint or using it for sloppy washes because the Wargamer Regiment brush is durable.
- Specs: Sable‑synthetic blend, round, size 1, triangular wooden handle.
- Pros: Affordable, durable, versatile, comfortable grip; bigger tuft gives efficiency.
- Cons: Less precise than pure kolinsky; larger tip may feel bulky on tiny details.
- Best uses: Basecoats, washes, layering, everyday painting.
- Mindful note: This brush reminds you that practice matters more than expensive tools. It’s the “daily driver” that lets you paint freely without worry.
RELATED: FULL REVIEW OF THE ARMY PAINTER WARGAMER: REGIMENT BRUSH FOR MINIATURES
4. Citadel Medium Base Brush – Speed and Durability
For speed painting or when I’m slapping metallic paint on a horde of models, I reach for the Citadel Medium Base. This synthetic brush has a wide tuft that covers large areas quickly while still offering enough control to sneak into nooks and crannies. The fibers handle metallics and varnishes without protest and survive vigorous cleaning. It not fancy, but it gets the job done.
- Why This Brush: It’s the brush you can abuse. If your schedule is tight or you have dozens of models to basecoat, you need a tool that keeps up. I love this brush for its reliability.
- Specs: Synthetic, round/flat hybrid, medium size, short handle.
- Pros: Durable, fast coverage, predictable paint release, easy to clean.
- Cons: Not for fine details; bristles can curl slightly but are easily straightened with brush soap.
- Best uses: Basecoats, metallics, contrast paints, varnishes.
- Mindful note: Using a workhorse like this frees your premium brushes from unnecessary wear. It keeps you in the flow when batch painting.
5. D’Artisan Shoppe Miniature Brush Set – A Friendly Starter Pack
During a slog of army painting, I had the opportunity to demo a new set of D’Artisan Shoppe brushes set. These synthetic brushes are very inexpensive, but come in handy for all sorts of miniature paint jobs (see my full review).
They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Though for most of us, I think the size #1 pointed rounds are the most versatile and useful. They’re well made and versatile; we used them for basecoats, washes and simple details. While the tips eventually curled — as synthetics do — they lasted longer than I expected. At about three dollars per brush, you can experiment without fear of wasting money.
- Why This Brush Kit: It’s perfect for experimentation. You can learn what brush sizes you like without breaking the bank.
- Specs: Synthetic, round and detail shapes, about 10 sizes, ergonomic handles.
- Pros: Low cost, wide variety, comfortable handles, accessible customer service.
- Cons: Not ideal for ultra‑fine details; bristles will curl over time.
- Best uses: Beginners, practice sessions, general painting, basecoats, washes.
- Mindful note: A beginner set like this lets you explore and play, which I think is essential when you’re still learning what creative approaches work for you.
6. Notts Hobbies Complete Drybrushing Set – Your Texture Toolkit
Drybrushing adds life to models by catching raised details and textures. The Notts Hobbies Drybrush set impressed me with natural bristles that strike the right balance between firmness and softness, giving smoother gradients than cheaper drybrushes. The long, round handles are comfortable and include extras like a texture palette, dampening sponge and dice bag. It feels like a complete kit rather than just brushes.
- Why This Brush Set: It encourages you to experiment with weathering and textures without needing multiple tools. The kit invites creative play.
- Specs: Natural bristles, flat/dome shapes, 3–5 sizes, long handles, includes sponge and texture palette.
- Pros: Smooth drybrush gradients, durable natural bristles, comfortable handles, extra tools for versatility.
- Cons: More expensive than basic sets; limited to drybrushing tasks.
- Best uses: Drybrushing fur, rock, cloth, terrain; adding subtle highlights.
- Mindful note: Because drybrushing is forgiving, this set invites you to relax and enjoy adding weathered effects without stress.
7. Da Vinci Maestro Series 10 – Premium German Kolinsky
When I first tried the Da Vinci Maestro Series 10, I realized why it’s often compared with the Winsor & Newton Series 7. Handcrafted in Germany, these brushes use top-tier Kolinsky sable and feel precise without being stiff. The point holds beautifully, the belly carries enough paint for smooth blends, and they balance well in hand for long painting sessions.
- Why This Brush: A dependable premium option with German craftsmanship, built for painters who want control and longevity.
- Specs: Kolinsky sable, round shape, multiple sizes (ideal in Size 1–2).
- Pros: Excellent point, resilient bristles, smooth paint flow, durable build.
- Cons: Pricey; availability can fluctuate outside specialty art suppliers.
- Best uses: Layering, glazing, fine details, display painting.
- Mindful note: If Series 7 is the British classic, Da Vinci Maestro is the German counterpart, equally capable, slightly different feel, and worth having in your arsenal.
8. Raphaël 8404 – Premium Flow, Control, and Capacity
When I first tried the Raphaël 8404, I felt like I was painting with a miniature mop—in a good way! The belly is huge compared with the Series 7 (as compared in either size #1 or #2), meaning it holds a ton of paint and lets you drag smooth glazes across large surfaces.
The point is fine enough for detail work, but if you’re mainly highlighting tiny areas, it might feel bulky. It’s pricey and sometimes hard to find, but worth considering if you want a kolinsky with extra capacity.
- Why This Brush: It’s luxurious and forgiving. Longer strokes and wide glazed layers become easier because you’re not constantly reloading paint.
- Specs: Kolinsky sable, round, sizes 0–4, long handle. I recommend the size #2 for most miniature painters.
- Pros: Enormous paint capacity; soft, smooth flow; fine point.
- Cons: Expensive; not ideal for the tiniest details; availability can be spotty.
- Best uses: Glazing large surfaces, blending, basecoats on larger models.
- Mindful note: If you tend to over-dip your brush, this one invites you to slow down and work with bigger, more confident strokes.
9. Army Painter Masterclass Drybrush Set – Best Drybrush Set
If the Notts set feels like a splurge, the Army Painter Masterclass Drybrush set offers good value. These dome‑shaped synthetic drybrushes are designed to catch raised edges and textures. They’re inexpensive and widely available. While the bristles fray quicker than natural hair, they’re easy to replace.
- Why This Brush Bundle: It’s a low‑pressure way to try drybrushing techniques without investing in a pricier kit.
- Specs: Synthetic blend, dome shapes, three sizes.
- Pros: Cheap; easy to find; ergonomic handles.
- Cons: Bristles wear out relatively fast; limited to drybrushing tasks.
- Best uses: Drybrushing armour, cloth, terrain, quick weathering.
- Mindful note: Because they’re inexpensive, you can relax and have fun exploring weathering effects without worrying about damaging a high‑end brush.
10. Cheap Cosmetic/Synthetic Brushes – Disposable, But Dependable
For messy tasks like metallics, pigments, glues or varnishes, I keep a stash of cheap cosmetic brushes on hand. They cost pennies and save your good brushes from ruin. I use them for stippling rust, applying dry pigments or mixing two‑part epoxy. They don’t last long, but that’s the point.
- Why These Brushes: No guilt. You can experiment with heavy pigments or sloppy mediums and toss the brush when it dies.
- Specs: Synthetic, assorted shapes and sizes.
- Pros: Ultra low cost; readily available; perfect for sacrificial tasks.
- Cons: Poor tip retention; inconsistent quality; short lifespan.
- Best uses: Metallics, weathering powders, glues, varnishes, pigments.
- Mindful note: Sometimes creativity is messy. Sacrificial brushes encourage you to play with new textures and media without fear.
Comparison Table
To make it easy to compare the brushes at a glance, here’s a concise table with their key attributes.
| Brush | Type | Shape | Sizes | Point | Snap | Capacity | Durability | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W& N Series 7 | Kolinsky | Round | 0–2 | Excellent | Strong | High | High | Detail, glazing | $$$ |
| Artis Opus-S | Kolinsky | Round | 0–2 | Excellent | Very strong | Medium | High | Glazing, layering | $$$ |
| AP Regiment | Sable/synth | Round | 1 | Good | Medium | Medium | High | Everyday painting | $ |
| Citadel Medium Base | Synthetic | Hybrid | Medium | Fair | Medium | Medium | High | Speed painting | $ |
| D’Artisan Set | Synthetic | Round/detail | 10 sizes | Good | Medium | Low–Med | Medium | Beginners | $ |
| Notts Drybrush | Natural | Flat/dome | 3–5 | Fair | Medium | Low | High | Drybrushing | $$ |
| Da Vinci Maestro | Kolinsky | Round | 0-2 | Excellent | Strong | High | High | Layering, glazing, fine details | $$$ |
| Raphaël 8404 | Kolinsky | Round | 0–4 | Excellent | Strong | Very high | High | Glazing, blending | $$$ |
| AP Masterclass | Synth blend | Dome | 3 | Fair | Medium | Low | Medium | Drybrushing | $ |
| Cheap Brushes | Synthetic | Mixed | Varies | Poor | Low | Low | Low | Harsh media | $ |
How to Choose for Your Style
Every painter has unique habits and goals. Here’s how I match brushes to common painting scenarios:
- You glaze and layer a lot: Choose a brush with a large belly and smooth flow, like the Artis Opus S or Series 7. Their kolinsky hair and snap make layering thin coats effortless.
- You’re new: Go for a sturdy, budget‑friendly brush like the AP Regiment. This is my overall favorite workhorse brush for most work with miniatures.
- You batch‑paint armies: The Citadel Medium Base gets a lot of work done. It holds up to hours of repeated work and can survive heavy cleaning. Of course, it isn’t meant for fine detail or general work. It’s best for painting larger models, quickly.
- You’re weathering, applying highlights, or texturing: Invest in a Notts Drybrush set for smooth gradients or the Army Painter Masterclass for a focused option. Pair them with a few cheap cosmetic brushes for pigments and glues.
- You paint with metallics or messy media: Protect your good brushes by using cheap cosmetics brushes and reserve your synthetic workhorses for basecoats and general painting.
Care & Longevity Tips
Caring for your brushes is a simple way to respect your craft. Here are some mindful practices:
- Rinse between colors: Swish your brush in clean water and wipe on a paper towel. This prevents paint from drying near the ferrule.
- Use brush soap: At the end of each session, deep clean your brushes with a soap like The Master’s Brush Cleaner. It dissolves residual paint and conditions the bristles[5].
- Load properly: Dip only the lower third of the bristles into paint. Keep paint out of the ferrule to prevent splaying.
- Reshape and dry: Gently reshape the tip with your fingers. Dry brushes flat or with the tip down so water doesn’t seep into the ferrule.
- Store with care: Use a brush roll, cap or stand. Don’t toss them loose in a drawer.
- Retire wisely: When a fine brush loses its point, demote it to basecoating or drybrushing. Don’t throw it out immediately; each brush can serve multiple roles.
Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it, my top 10 best brushes for painting miniatures. For close to two decades, I’ve painted miniatures for tabletop gaming or on commission. And I’ve learned that there’s no perfect thing, brushes included, that can fulfill any required task or personal taste. You have to try work with something for a long time to understand whether its meant for your particular project.
Sure, you can leap frog this process by listening to others’ opinions, reading recommendations like mine, but ultimately with art, “you gotta do the thing”.
So with that being said… I hope you enjoyed this article, found it helpful in some way. This list of brushes may change, though it’s been years in the making from experience at the hobby desk.
And, yet, still take it with a grain of salt! Have fun; experiment!
Have a brush recommendation? Other questions? I’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments. Happy painting!
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