What brand of brushes are best for oil paintings, Winsor & Newton or Robert Simmons?

Answer 1

Like everything else, you must do what's right for 'you'... no rules. Experiment.... see what feels right for the sort of work that you do. Your brush should be an extension of your hand... your arm... your thought... your vision. You shouldn't have to think about whether it's doing it's job... it should be second nature. It may happen quickly or it may take a while... it's all trial and error. But you'll know when you find the right one... it's like magic!!! I wish you so much good luck:)

Answer 2

I guess what is a little sad is I used to work at Amsterdam Art in the warehouse in Berkeley, and I single-handedly organized all of brushes for retail, think thousands upon thousands of brands, and then you've got it. I put them all in catalog and in separate cardboard bins. It took a couple of weeks. My co-workers (friends mostly) said they didn't actually hate me that much, and I could have swept the floor if I was bored or something. I was being paid by the hour so it couldn't have occurred to me that work was anything other than tedious. Remember thousands upon thousands, this is how the Dutch bossguy made a living. In the beginning it was just him, in the seventies and / or eighties I guess, a rented commercial closet space somewhere else in Berkeley, and his f*****g brushes. Don't get me wrong, I loved his store, it was too ironic that I was doing the job supposedly no one else could would do. This experience taught me to appreciate photography a little more, and Grumbacher brand name brushes. Also Winsor & Newton are good, you can't imagine how many different types of brushes Robert Simmons makes, trust me, I know, you can't. Well maybe you can, you seem to be an artist type, the number is pretty huge actually. I do acrylic, hows about you? I like making abstract stuff that looks like weird unexplored regions of the universe. For my work hardware store flat half, one, two, three, four, all good and cheap, a turkey baster brush to help me keep a good distance and judgemental eye on my work rather than being locked in really close the whole painting, and I throw paint and stand my painting flat so I can stand whilst I throw my paint, usually listening to extremely loud rock and roll while I do so. I go through a lot of brushes to make one piece, again, Winsor & Newton, and Grumbacher, I have nothing against Robert Simmons, they just make too many f*****g brushes. Anyway it was just a job it paid $7 to start which in the beginning of the millenium seemed like alot of money at the time, remember minimum wage used to be $4.25 when I entered the work force, if it is a force anyway, doesn't anybody vote anymore? Whats up with this war and King George anyway?

Answer 3

honestly it sort of depends on what kind of oil painter you are.
if you enjoy glazes you should go for kolinsky sable soft hair brushes.... WN has a large selection of them, the best (and also the most expensive) are the series 7 brushes, but simmons has plenty of brushes that are just slightly less than comparable with WN...etc.

if i may, i would suggest you dump any notion about having some sort of brand loyalty, especially with painting brushes. experiment with all kinds and figure out the one best for you.
most art supply stores have a brush testing pad that allows you to 'test-drive' the brush, so you can get a feel for it.

Answer 4

Buy the best brushes you can possibly afford. The brush is what MAKES the painting. I've used all kinds... and the ones I like best are the ones with curved edges shaped like almonds ...you can lay down a sliver of light! Have a wonderful time! Hugs, Gina C.

Answer 5

Robert simmons,without a doubt

Answer 6

i like winsor and newton myself. something with fine camel hair