Best brushes for painting miniatures

Which brushes to buy first, and when sable is worth it.

You don't need many brushes: a medium brush for basecoats, a smaller one with a good point for detail, and an old or cheap one for drybrushing will paint a whole army. What matters most is the point, not the size.

What to look for

A sharp point that stays sharp: that's what lets a size 1 or 2 do fine detail.
Natural sable (Kolinsky) holds more paint and keeps its point longest; synthetic is cheaper and fine for basecoats, metallics and Contrast/Speedpaints, which wear brushes out.
Skip tiny '000' detail brushes: they dry out before you finish a line. A good size 1 does it better.
Keep a separate, cheap brush for drybrushing and glue.

Budget

Army Painter Wargamer brushes Also on AmazonGood synthetic starter brushes, sold singly and in sets.
- Army Painter Hobby Precise Detail Brush £3.85 at Lvl Up Gaming · 2 shops
- Army Painter Hobby Drybrush Brush £3.95 at Element Games · 2 shops
- Army Painter Hobby Super Detail Brush £3.95 at Element Games · 2 shops
- Army Painter Hobby Highlighting Brush £4.00 at Lvl Up Gaming · 2 shops
- and 12 more on the site: search "Army Painter Wargamer brush"
Citadel brushes Also on AmazonThe Games Workshop range, named by job (Base, Layer, Shade, Dry). Prices from the shops we track are below.
- Citadel Synthetic Shade Brush (Medium) £3.39 at Zatu · 9 shops
- Citadel Small Base Brush £3.56 at Marionville Models · 16 shops
- Citadel Synthetic Base Brush (Large) £3.59 at Zatu · 9 shops
- Citadel Medium Layer Brush £3.61 at Marionville Models · 11 shops
- and 20 more on the site: search "Citadel brush"

Mid-range

Army Painter Masterclass Kolinsky sable Also on AmazonSable brushes at a sensible price.
- Army Painter Masterclass Brush Out of stock
- The Army Painter Masterclass: Drybrush Set Out of stock
Artis Opus Series S Also on AmazonKolinsky sable brushes made for miniatures, with short, fat bellies that hold plenty of paint.
- Artis Opus Series S 000 Brush £11.99 at Element Games
- Artis Opus Series S 00 Brush £12.99 at Element Games
- Artis Opus Series S 0 Brush £13.99 at Element Games
- Artis Opus Series S 1 Brush £14.99 at Element Games
- and 5 more on the site: search "Artis Opus Series S"

Premium

Winsor & Newton Series 7 Check AmazonThe classic sable brush artists have used for decades.
Rosemary & Co Series 33 Check AmazonKolinsky sable, popular with miniature painters for the point and the price.

From the UK shops we track

Live prices, cheapest shop shown; click for every shop.

Product	Cheapest	Shop
Citadel Small Layer Brush Lowest price we've seenBrushes for painting miniatures	£3.78	Marionville Models
Citadel Small Base BrushBrushes for painting miniatures	£3.56	Marionville Models
Citadel Large Shade Brush Lowest price we've seenBrushes for painting miniatures	£6.30	Marionville Models
Citadel Medium Shade Brush Lowest price we've seenBrushes for painting miniatures	£4.73	Marionville Models
Citadel Medium Artificer Layer Brush Lowest price we've seenBrushes for painting miniatures	£17.63	Gaming Frome
Citadel X-Small Artificer Layer Brush Lowest price we've seenBrushes for painting miniatures	£13.13	Gaming Frome
Small S Artificer Layer Brush Lowest price we've seenBrushes for painting miniatures	£15.38	Gaming Frome
Citadel Medium Layer Brush Lowest price we've seenBrushes for painting miniatures	£3.61	Marionville Models
Synthetic Stc Base Brush (Medium) Lowest price we've seenBrushes for painting miniatures	£4.00	Lvl Up Gaming
Synthetic Stc Base Brush (Small) Lowest price we've seenBrushes for painting miniatures	£3.15	Gaming Frome
Citadel Synthetic Shade Brush (Medium)Brushes for painting miniatures	£3.39	Zatu
Citadel Synthetic Base Brush (Large)Brushes for painting miniatures	£3.59	Zatu

Tips

Rinse often and never let paint dry in the ferrule (the metal bit).
Brush soap (e.g. 'The Masters' brush cleaner) brings sable brushes back to a point.
Store brushes upright or flat, never resting on their tips.

Prices are the cheapest in stock at the UK shops we track, checked every hour; click a product for every shop. Amazon links open an Amazon search; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you. We don't take payment to recommend products.