Tools of the Trade - Brushes
The trademark tools of the miniature painter are his paints and brushes. Yet, what else does he need to accomplish his lofty goals? Well, we've compiled a short list of all the things you'll need to paint your own models. Don't rush out and buy all of these items at once, though. You may have some them at home already. Just be sure to ask Aunt Edna before you use her fine china as a palette!
Brushes
Besides your paint, brushes are the items that make everything possible. They transfer the pigment from palette to model and make each and every mark on its surface. However, you have to use the right brush for the right job. To start, you'll need at least four brushes: one small brush, one large brush, one old brush (or dedicated brush), and one drybrush.
The small brush is for detail work and for painting hard-to-reach areas on the miniature. The Citadel Detail or Fine Detail Brushes are great for this type of work.
The large brush is used for painting bases and bigger areas on the model. The Citadel Standard, Basecoat, and Large Brushes fit the bill perfectly. The Standard Brush is the smallest of the three, followed by the Basecoat and Large Brush.
An old brush is for the nasty jobs you don't want your nicer brushes to endure. These jobs include applying glue to bases, stirring, mixing, adding water to paint, and painting rough surfaces. When we mentioned a "dedicated" brush, we meant that if you were brand new to miniature painting, you probably wouldn't have an old brush on hand. You'll need to use a new brush for these tasks. Make sure you buy a cheap one! As a final note, large, old brushes are much better to use for mixing and the like than detail brushes.
Finally, the drybrush is for applying paint in a manner that will obliterate other brushes. The drybrushes are built for punishment. Drybrushes come in the following sizes: Small Drybrush, Large Drybrush, and Tank Brush. Tank Brushes are huge, which makes them perfect tools for drybrushing their namesakes.