Warhammer 40k

For base coating and washes I use cheap synthetic brushes like Royal & Langnickel, which you can pick up in bulk from art stores.

For everything else I use Kolinsky Sable brushes, specifically the Raphael 8404 range. These cost about €20/25 each from the art store, so they are pricy, but I wish I'd started using them sooner. They've completely changed the quality of my painting compared to hobby brand brushes.

Be sure to use brush soap for the expensive brushes, and I wash my synthetics with isopropyl alcohol. That way they last for years.

Usually I go for a nice loaf of sourdough to pain my minis.

But to paint my minis I use army painter and uses for base coating, artis opus dry brushes, and monument hobbies kalinski sable brushes for layering, edge highlighting and blending.

Good old toothbrushes are good for blood splattering.

I've got a couple of Winsor & Newton Series 7 brushes, which are my "good ones". Additionally, a bunch of old Citadel brushes in various conditions for when that's good enough.

I have some random no name brands for brush on primer. Generic art store brushes for base coats. Found an ancient Testors brush that ive been using for metallic details and has kept it's fine tip for a rather surprising long time. I have a few Windsor and Newton brushes that I really like, but my Artis Opus S #2 is just too good and has become my detail workhorse. It's a bigger brush, but comes to such a fine point that I don't need anything smaller, and it's size doesn't dry out as fast. I bought the big set, but only use the one brush.

For bases, primer and other rough work I use Winsor & Newton Foundation series. They come in large and cheap packs and last for 6 to 12 months. For detail work I use Raphael 8404 series. They are around 20 euros per piece, but last years if maintained well.

I’ve used Winsor and Newton series 7 and some of the other highly recommended and expensive kolinsky sable brushes however I find myself picking up my Rosemary & Co brushes more often lately.

Look for a brush that holds a good sharp point and find something where the “belly” of the bristles is large enough for how much paint you like to use before rinsing/refilling.

I only use cheap synthetics for stuff like terrain.