Which brushes are your favorites?

[Party Picassos Facepainting]

At a recent school family association event, I quickly pulled out my gear to practice on some of the kids.
It turned into a long quickly. I didn't give enough time to organize my paints and brushes, so I would use  whatever was handy.

It made me realize how using the wrong size brush affects the quality of our work. Was it too thick and the outlines took over the art? Was it too thin and took too much time to do?

So what are your favorite brushes (style and size) to use for outlining, curly Qs and more? Give me your opinions! :

[Sherry]

I'm really starting to love my #4 da Vinci red sable.  It took some getting used to after having only used synthetic brushes.  I find that I often reach for it as my most used brush for white linework, teardrops, etc.  My other favorites are my Royal Majestics from size 3 - 5.

When I want detail work for things like cheek art, I use a size 2.

[Alison]

I love reading real-life stories of what it is to do our job.
Painting demanding, wiggly people for hour after hour is so different that thinking/creating/trying different ideas....

I like to take pictures of my work - even if it's real busy. 
So I can evaluate what happened
later.
Sometimes, you can get some real neat ideas by studying what happened when you used that different brush.

[Sherry]

What brush brands do you think you prefer Alison?

[Alison]

Chagrinned for a change.  I buy whatever is cheapest and still feels like the right consistency.  I can tell because I'm Goldilocks - the brush should be not too stiff, and not too schvach.

That being said, Robert Simmons sounds like a brand that I probably bought a lot

[Alison]

Maybe that's not the best way to buy brushes.
Today I'm feeling disappointed with my brushes.
Especially the small ones - which are so impt in this work.

I plan on buying something good the next time - the brush will make such a difference.

[Sherry]

Speaking of brushes, I've learned a few new things at the convention.  The barber brush is good for quickly covering large areas, sort of what you would normally use your sponge for.

We also experimented with flat brushes, with a V cut in them and fan brushes with the similar cut.  We loaded them with gold and dipped the tip in a little black.  Made quick little butterflies and they were pretty! 

I was also introduced to the way Robbie Hays face paints cheek art.  I always put the background color in first and then outline.  She outlines first and then adds the color.  She called it the "coloring book" method.  I loved it and want to practice more!   

She also demoed a quick easy kitty cat cheek art by request.  (my request  )  I always have such trouble with my cats.  It was nice to see her version.

[Glitterfly Faces]

Can't wait for you to return and show us all what you have learned.  We are living vicariously through you rightnow.   

Sounds like your having a blast.

[AMAZINGface]

Wow.  Love the brush idea, Sherry.  Cut into a 'V'.  Gonna try it!

Yes...  Living vicariously and anxiously awaiting posts about Vegas!

[Sherry]

Nice!  I have a new small tip that Cathy Corbett shared in her class for painting white over black.  I'm going to head over to the post that was asking about a good white and share it there.   

[Sherry]

Looking through my notes from the convention and see a brush recommendation from our Wolfe Brothers class.  They said that Royal Langnickel RV11 is a great superfine brush.

[GaFacepainter]

I like a no. 4 for a good all around brush. Unless you have to some really fine stuff you can get some pretty tight lines with it. Gary cole was also talking about a brush you can get from Michaels, an Ultra round w/ inch long bristles? I forget the name, I'll find it somewhere, but he was saying it is great for real fine work, plus it holds lots of paint.

[GaFacepainter]

Edit that last post. Pashur wass talking about that Ultra round.