Or the question I receive quite often…

“What are your favourite brushes, Linc?”

Synthetic Brushes

These are my go-to tools for many tasks, particularly for weathering and working with solvents. I avoid cheap “dollar store” brushes as their quality is inconsistent, and they often don’t hold up well. The glue binding the bristles can melt when exposed to solvents, leading to stray brush hairs in your work—not ideal!

My top recommendation for synthetic brushes is the AK-Interactive series with the distinctive orange handle. Remarkably, I still have brushes from their initial 2011 release, and they’ve aged well, albeit with a slightly different hue of orange compared to newer versions. Their durability and performance have been a major reason behind my collaboration with AK-Interactive.

Another favorite is the Tamiya HF range with black handles, which also offers reliable performance.

Please note that I have the full life cycle of brushes ready to go, some are right at the end of their useful life for stippling and dry-brushing whilst I have some ready for their first use for fine details to replace other brushes as they are dama… — Please note that I keep brushes at all stages of their life cycle. Some are nearing the end of their usefulness for stippling and dry-brushing, while others are freshly prepared for detailed work. I rotate them as they wear down, with their roles evolving over time. The sizes range from 003 to 4, though this is only a guide since sizing can vary between manufacturers.

Sable Hair Brushes

When it comes to natural brushes, I use both red sable (moderately priced) and Kolinsky sable (premium-grade) brushes. The softer bristles provide a smoother application, making them ideal for water-based paints.

For the models in Sci-Fi FAQ, I used a mix of moderately priced sables for bulk work, a selection of Kolinsky brushes, and one—yes, just one—Winsor & Newton Series 7 brush. And yes, it’s as good as everyone says!

When using water-based acrylics, I lean toward brushes designed for watercolors. These brushes have a sharp point, snap back into shape quickly, and can hold a good amount of water, ensuring consistent paint flow. That extra water-holding capacity in the back of the brush helps keep the tip wet and workable longer.

My top pick here is the Winsor & Newton Series 7.

My favourites are from Winsor & Newton Series 7 but as you can see, it’s only one of eleven. The best value brush I have here is the thick handled sable that was quite inexpensive from Tamiya and yes the handle is surprisingly comfortable. — My favorites are from Winsor & Newton Series 7, but as you can see, it’s just one of eleven brushes. The best value brush in this set is the thick-handled sable from Tamiya—surprisingly affordable and, yes, the handle is very comfortable to use.

All of these! It’s about choosing the right tool for the job. I’ve found these brushes to be reliable and great investments.

Will I find new favorites? Absolutely! I’m constantly testing new brushes—that’s part of the fun of this hobby. I hope you enjoy discovering your own go-to tools as well.

Happy modelling,
Linc

P.S. If you enjoyed this article on brushes, you might also like this one on the paints I use here, please click on the image below;