How to Make Your Brushes Last Longer in Miniature Painting

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This week, we talk how to make your (sometimes frustratingly expensive) brushes last longer. We'll talk best practices and maintenance as well as offer some tips and tricks for common problems.
So grab your scraggly Kolinsky and your hook-tipped synthetic brush and let's get to it.
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GEAR MENTIONED:
This video was not paid for by outside persons or manufacturers and no gear was supplied to us for this video. We are Amazon Associates however and get commissions for purchases made from any “PAID LINK” affiliate tag, which helps support the channel.
Brush Soap: Masters
🛒 from Amazon US (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3BJWTEm
Kolinsky Brush Cleaner and Restorer I Use: Winsor & Newton
🛒 from Amazon US (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3EuMVc5
OTHER GEAR I USE/LIKE
GEAR I LIKE / USE:
This video was not paid for by outside persons or manufacturers and no gear was supplied to us for this video. We are Amazon Associates however and get commissions for purchases made from any “PAID LINK” affiliate tag, which helps support the channel.
PAINT:
Acylicos Vallejo Fantasy Game Colors -- Great for Beginners
🛒 on Amazon US (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3DOlmLv
🛒 from UK at Firestorm Games (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/48n7vpe5
Monument Pro Acryl
🛒 on Amazon US (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3Mt87E1
🛒 from UK at Firestorm Games (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/yjsas753
Inks: Liquitex -- Especially love the white for Zenithal
🛒 from Amazon US (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3S6iBJD
Vallejo Black Primer
🛒 from Amazon US (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3sR7Dga
🛒 from UK at Firestorm Games (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/2dzybswe
AK Interactive Ultra Matte Varnish
🛒 from Amazon US (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3SCcGfj
🛒 from UK at Firestorm Games (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/r3n8uet7
BRUSHES:
The Army Painter Dry Brush Set -- Good Cheap Set
🛒 from Amazon US: amzn.to/3Z2kavS
🛒 from UK at Firestorm Games (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/5n6chs2y
Brushes: DaVinci
🛒 from Amazon US (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3dDfoCt
Brushes: Raphael
🛒 from Amazon US (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3Hign7g
BASING:
Vallejo Earth Texture
🛒 from Amazon US (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3Ltdgvw
🛒 from UK at Firestorm Games (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/yc8bvhan
Tufts of Static Grass: The Army Painter
🛒 from Amazon US (PAID LINK): amzn.to/41k73aH
🛒 from UK at Firestorm Games (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/378u5v83
WET PALETTE
Wet Palette: Redgrass
🛒 from Redgrass: www.redgrassgames.com/everlas...
🛒 from UK at Firestorm Games (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/57kjpk2u
The Army Painter Wet Palette
🛒 on Amazon US (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3WQ6T89
🛒 from UK at Firestorm Games (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/563p6nkj
MISC:
Cement Glue: Tamaya
🛒 from Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3DVrxNS
🛒 from UK at Firestorm Games (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/2n323mp9
Hobby Clippers: Tamaya
🛒 from Amazon US (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3EmEtL5
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Find us on the other socials!
TikTok: / wrathofminis
Instagram: / wrathofminis
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VIDEO CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
0:59 Painting Tips to Preserve Brushes
4:39 How to Clean your Brushes Properly
10:48 Restoring Kolinsky Brushes
13:20 Restoring Hook-Tipped Synthetic Brushes
14:45 Conclusion
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The following music was used for this media project:
Spacey Intro by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: filmmusic.io/song/9028-spacey...
License (CC BY 4.0): filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: www.serpentsoundstudios.com/
Spacey Outro by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: filmmusic.io/song/9029-spacey...
License (CC BY 4.0): filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: www.serpentsoundstudios.com/
Music: Secret Garden by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: filmmusic.io/song/4844-secret...
License (CC BY 4.0): filmmusic.io/standard-license
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#wrathofminis #miniaturepainting #feathering #warhammer #warhammer40k #warhammerpainting #gamesworkshop #paintingminiatures #paintingminis #tabletopgaming #tabletopminiatures #warcry #ageofsigmar #40k #terrain
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DISCLAIMERS
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
The content of this video and our opinions were not reviewed or paid for by any outside persons.

[@PerfectionHunter]

Underrated channel for sure. Everything you said in this video is true. But as i've sad to other, similar, small channels: "Some of the best mini-hobby channels i've found rarely have over 10K subs. They are the hidden gold veins for those who know where to dig".

[@Trazynn]

The only problem is that this video wasn't titled 'Tips about tips'.

[@the_hybred648]

Just found your channel. About to binge watch all of your videos . 😅

[@johnsimeonidis7518]

Going through the process to use the soap and that it requires 3-4 passes helped. I didn’t realize it needed to be done at the end of each painting session - I was only doing it every 3 or 4 sessions. Also the tip for restoring synthetic brushes was very helpful!

[@spencerdevane7314]

I cannot understate how valuable of a resource this channel is. Fantastic as always, thank you for the in depth, no-nonsense explanation.

[@WrathofMinis]

You're very welcome! and Thank you!

[@krzysztofmathews738]

This is clear, well presented and very helpful. I appreciate that, and so I am now subscribed. Thank you.

[@pimstevens174]

Good tips, I need to make cleaning the brushes with running water a habit after painting. For the older ruined brushes I Have, I need to get my self some cleaner and brush restorer instead of buying new brushes. You convinced me to try that, thanks

[@WrathofMinis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@PortageeJoe]

This man's videos are essential for any beginner, like myself. And I'm very impressed with his lack of edits and production quality! Thank you, sir!

[@WrathofMinis]

Thank you so very much, we really appreciate the support!

[@darkhighwayman1757]

I experimented using isopropyl to melt paint in the ferrule. Mostly all natural fibers on brushes that seemed pretty messed up. Then used the Masters in them after. It pulled a surprising amount out. Some stayed messed up but some did revive

[@DanPerkins-de3vt]

Thank you for these tips, I have only used lower and probably synthetic brushes. Generally I find I get that hook temp all the time after a few uses I know I'm not pushing the brush and I know I'm not smashing it into the paint, so I'm not sure why this is happening I will try your tip of putting them in the hot water and see if that helps any other information you have might be useful thank you for your video,

[@Baltazar325]

Thank you for this video. This was extremely helpful for my brush cleaning. I've been cleaning them but not well enough and it was becoming frustrating. This will help me keep them longer.

[@tien65]

this is a great video, i was quite confuse on how to use the masters to clean the brush and how it can restore it. now i know what to do. thank you for it

[@danncozey]

Thanks for the vid bud! Love your channel ❤

[@goforitpainting]

Cool. Thank you for sharing.

[@WrathofMinis]

Thanks for watching!

[@jameswebb6080]

Thank you

[@C4P_10]

This is the video i was looking for

[@Nooneslama]

Very useful!

[@WrathofMinis]

Glad to hear that!

[@markgnepper5636]

Great stuff friend 👏 👍

[@23edsa]

Soap changes the surface tension of the water, and that mechanism makes watter attract loose-ish particles more than your brush hair surface, so an important step of cleaning your brushes is to wash out the soapy liquid. Another unwanted effect of soaps is that they tend to wash out the oils that condition natural hair, so be careful storing them with the soap still in the bristles, if you are thinking about drying the brush with a sharp tip - you are better doing it with clean water. Hair without the oils in them tend to dry out and curl due to the imperfections and you eventually will lose that sharp tip. Brush conditioners exist and they do a really good job restoring the hair. For the same reason a shampoo and hair conditioner are sold as two separate items for us people. Another good advice that I heard from art students who cant afford new brushes but tend to paint a lot is to store your brush clipped to the wall with the tip pointing down, that draws some of the the residue down with the gravity and capillary effect. Some people also recommend to clip the brush suspended in the water after a painting session for a while for the same reason. But washing brushes with soap and forming the tip before storing them is the best advice to prolong the life of the brush!

[@WrathofMinis]

Thank you for all the tips!

[@kscott2655]

I'm a synthetic brush user. Natural hair brushes usually have too soft of a feel for my taste. I like my brushes to push back a little bit. I own several nice natural hair brushes but I rarely reach for them.

[@szoltys888]

After every painting Session my brushes are getting hard like a rock and almost unable to Work with them later. What am I doing wrong ?

[@guehe99]

Nowadays fine kolinsky brushes are 20+

[@24fretsoffury]

Great tips! I’ve always just used my brush cleaner on my synthetic brushes. I bought a Kolinsky, but it’s still in the packaging, too afraid to mess it up as I’m still learning haha. Off topic, but why does Khan have an American tattoo on his arm?

[@WrathofMinis]

So when i became an American Citizen I decided to get a tattoo of my Gibson Bass which is a thunderbird and that has an American flag like eagle on it. So a couple of reasons that got put together!

[@24fretsoffury]

@@WrathofMinis oh nice! Looks good man! Bass player and painter, a real ladies man! Thank you for doing such great content, that spans beginner to advanced, to even “basic” things like this video. Most KZbin painters are typically doing medium to advanced stuff, so it’s refreshing for a wide variety!

[@WrathofMinis]

Haha, thank you! I appreciate the support!

[@thingamarobYT]

I assume, the cleaning process as you described is for both Kolinsky and Synthetic, the steps don't change if you're using one versus the other?

[@WrathofMinis]

It indeed the same for both types of brushes!

[@Teeleer]

where do you get kolinsky brushes for $15?

[@23edsa]

Rosemarie and co very good kolinsky brushes, miniature painting sizes are form 5-10$

[@LonelyAssassin96]

I usually mix my paint with the other end of the brush. Is it it effective? Yes. Is it efficient? No. Do my brush tips get messed up? Also no.

[@ashg9023]

Attach an old brush end to the end of your current brush?

[@WrathofMinis]

lol

[@jeffreykershner440]

Is there a different system for cleaning synthetic brushes? Just warm water rinse?

[@ashg9023]

I just soap mine but not right to the ferrule. Look after the ferrule and your synthetics will last longer- tip destruction tends to come from degrading at the ferrule.

[@WrathofMinis]

Sorry if it wasn’t clear but you do exactly the same thing with the sable brushes as you would do with synthetic brushes, wash with the soap and repeat.

[@willtogrow6878]

You're clearly a pro cinematographer, with throughness and good camera presence (but I humbly suggest) you could cut these videos down quite a lot, and deliver the same info in a shorter space of time which would be more engaging. Quite a lot of lines of dialogue you're repeating the same point twice using slightly different wording. Otherwise, excellent stuff, i'm impressed with the production quality in particular.

[@WrathofMinis]

We appreciate the support and your suggestion. We are still young to the whole KZbin deal and it’s really a learning process. Bit by bit we are getting better and hopefully in the future will improve our telling and our cinematography.

[@willtogrow6878]

@@WrathofMinis You're welcome! I love your vibe and think you can really blow up soon! I may be wrong but comparing your videos side by side with equivalent videos from creators I admire like Marco Frisoni ('not just mecha') there's more rambling so the density of information per minute in your videos is lower, while your production quality is significantly higher. Close that gap and I think you've got a winning formula here! :)

[@ashg9023]

As a vegan (having to avoid sable brushes) who depends on "high quality" synthetics, brush care is a top priority, otherwise I'd be needing a new brush every other painting session.

[@ghandi050285]

Can I ask which brushes you use. I have now stopped using sable as I can't in all god conscience use them anymore