Rosemary & Co Brushes

[megroot]

I have a silly question.
Who is using Rosemary & Co Brushes.
I bought two years ago Brushes from these firm and after 1 figure they where gone. Asking the firm what whas wrong they advise me to buy another serie and that would be the Kolinsky Sable Ser 56.
I bought for about € 50,- brushes and they told me they are to compare with W&N serie 7.
Well, after one figure I can tell you they cannot compare with W&N serie 7, they cannot stand into the shadow of W&N.
One figure is done with the serie 56 and I lost two brushes allready. You can see the hairs stick into the paint, the hairs are way over the half of there lenght........
Maybe I do something wrong, but I cannot find out what.
And I need some flat Kolinsky Sable brushes.
Who can give me advice??????????????

Marc

 

[Tecumsea]

HI Marc,

I use Rosemary Series 22 for oils without any problem, they tend to curl at the end after a while so not quite as good as Series 7's but good value for money-they also do a 45 Degree brush in a couple of sizes that are great for blending

 

[kagemusha]

I gave up using these Marc. They do not have the natural spring of Series 7.
For my style of painting with oils, I use only flats until I get to the finest detail, then change to Series 7.
As you may recall from my SBS on here recently, (My Way With Oils) I use mainly make-up brushes for blending etc.
When I need flats, I use Daler Rowney 'Flat Shader' brushes.

Regards

Ron

 

[geaugan]

I have used the Series 33 for several years now. They look like the Series 7 although the handle is a little thinner. . Personally I think they out perform the series 7 for half the price.

 

[bagelman1952]

I have been using Rosemary and Co series 33 for a while now and have been very pleased with the performance with acrylics. They have just needed replacing and I have just got some WN series 7 to compare.

 

[Helm]

I've been using the Rosemary brushes for over a year now and haven't had any problems with them at all, I don't use them for ground work but thats about all I don't use them for I use oils,acrylics and enamels for my figures. Not sure why you've had problems Mark I use the series 33 they are not very expensive at all

Steve

 

[Ron Tamburrini]

I have a silly question.
Who is using Rosemary & Co Brushes.
I bought two years ago Brushes from these firm and after 1 figure they where gone. Asking the firm what whas wrong they advise me to buy another serie and that would be the Kolinsky Sable Ser 56.
I bought for about € 50,- brushes and they told me they are to compare with W&N serie 7.
Well, after one figure I can tell you they cannot compare with W&N serie 7, they cannot stand into the shadow of W&N.
One figure is done with the serie 56 and I lost two brushes allready. You can see the hairs stick into the paint, the hairs are way over the half of there lenght........
Maybe I do something wrong, but I cannot find out what.
And I need some flat Kolinsky Sable brushes.
Who can give me advice??????????????

Marc

WN is the best Marc ,Hold their point forever. THATS IT But a bit pricy for blending though!!

 

[Einion]

I have a silly question.
Who is using Rosemary & Co Brushes.
I bought two years ago Brushes from these firm and after 1 figure they where gone.

Big change from here Marc!

One figure is done with the serie 56 and I lost two brushes allready. You can see the hairs stick into the paint, the hairs are way over the half of there lenght........

Sorry, don't understand this bit? Have they broken off or they're half the length you're used to for a brush of this number?

I can't speak to the quality myself but I know a lot of people who use them for various mediums including oils and the overwhelming majority of the comments and reviews are positive. As they're based on a natural product quality is bound to vary somewhat but it would seem the problems you're experiencing go much deeper than this would account for.

Are you noticing issues during the first use or is this after they've been cleaned once or twice? If it's the second then that's obviously something to look at.

And I need some flat Kolinsky Sable brushes.

If you really need Kolinsky the series 1311 would be worth trying. But for flats I think synthetics are the way to go; with a flat brush - both true flats and filberts - Kolinsky doesn't have the clear advantage it does for a round (where you want that sharp point to stay sharp) and they can't compete in terms of cost and longevity.

WN is the best Marc...

Not even close Ron. I won't go into all the ways they're not the best here, covered in plenty of detail in previous threads.

Einion

 

[Ron Tamburrini]

Big change from here Marc!


Sorry, don't understand this bit? Have they broken off or they're half the length you're used to for a brush of this number?

I can't speak to the quality myself but I know a lot of people who use them for various mediums including oils and the overwhelming majority of the comments and reviews are positive. As they're based on a natural product quality is bound to vary somewhat but it would seem the problems you're experiencing go much deeper than this would account for.

Are you noticing issues during the first use or is this after they've been cleaned once or twice? If it's the second then that's obviously something to look at.


If you really need Kolinsky the series 1311 would be worth trying. But for flats I think synthetics are the way to go; with a flat brush - both true flats and filberts - Kolinsky doesn't have the clear advantage it does for a round (where you want that sharp point to stay sharp) and they can't compete in terms of cost and longevity.



Not even close Ron. I won't go into all the ways they're not the best here, covered in plenty of detail in previous threads.

Einion

I wasn't talking about the Flats or filberts Einion , But got to say the Synthetics don"t last very long at all and curl up after about one session ,two at the most but at £1.75 a piece hey what!!

 

[megroot]

Big change from here Marc!
Einion

Oh yes, that whas just after 1 figure and basecoating with acrylic. I should change that when i whas 2 weeks further with the painting proces.

Sorry, don't understand this bit? Have they broken off or they're half the length you're used to for a brush of this number?Einion

Yes the hairs are broke off, and I lost alot of hair into the oilpaint

Are you noticing issues during the first use or is this after they've been cleaned once or twice? If it's the second then that's obviously something to look at.
Einion

No these issue of loosing hair whas allready there. Its gonna get worse after cleaning. (I clean with white spirit and then wash them with a shampoo) Let them dry for a day on the air before using them again.

But for flats I think synthetics are the way to go; with a flat brush - both true flats and filberts - Kolinsky doesn't have the clear advantage it does for a round (where you want that sharp point to stay sharp) and they can't compete in terms of cost and longevity.
Einion

Thanks Einion, any good advice is accept. Gonna look after a few synthetics.
Have you a recomendation about the brand.

Marc

 

[kagemusha]

What always seems to go unsaid in any answer to this type of thread is personal painting style has a huge effect on brush life. Also, what the brush is being used for plays a major role in how long a brush lasts.
We all have our favourites and blanket statements of what is the best for what, can only apply to that person, and their experience with a given brand of brush.
My personal experience with Series 7 only applies where fine detail is concerned. In this instance, you are likely to use far less pressure on the tip of the brush, therefore it will last longer.
Another factor is the medium being used. Oils are far less wearing on a brush than acrylics because acrylics are coarser and dry in the brush far quicker, which leads to more wear and tear with the added cleaning etc.
A final consideration of course, is how we clean and store them after use.
These factors are all part of how long a brush will last, no matter what the brand or price.

Ron

 

[Ron Tamburrini]

What always seems to go unsaid in any answer to this type of thread is personal painting style has a huge effect on brush life. Also, what the brush is being used for plays a major role in how long a brush lasts.
We all have our favourites and blanket statements of what is the best for what, can only apply to that person, and their experience with a given brand of brush.
My personal experience with Series 7 only applies where fine detail is concerned. In this instance, you are likely to use far less pressure on the tip of the brush, therefore it will last longer.
Another factor is the medium being used. Oils are far less wearing on a brush than acrylics because acrylics are coarser and dry in the brush far quicker, which leads to more wear and tear with the added cleaning etc.
A final consideration of course, is how we clean and store them after use.
These factors are all part of how long a brush will last, no matter what the brand or price.

Ron

Very good points there, no pun intended
Ron T

 

[Einion]

Yes the hairs are broke off, and I lost alot of hair into the oilpaint

That is very bad. Real hairs will naturally break from fatigue caused by use and abrasion but it shouldn't happen routinely until the brush is months or years old.

No these issue of loosing hair whas allready there. Its gonna get worse after cleaning. (I clean with white spirit and then wash them with a shampoo) Let them dry for a day on the air before using them again.

Okay your cleaning procedure sounds perfectly fine, nothing there that would raise any alarm bells. And you're using shampoo rather than brush soap, so you should be in better shape than a lot of others.

Thanks Einion, any good advice is accept. Gonna look after a few synthetics.
Have you a recomendation about the brand.

Actually no, because the polymers are so consistent in my experience brand matters very little, particularly with the common golden-coloured type often sold as taklon (nylon). Even the very cheapest ones I have (bought in sets for just a couple of Euros) work about as well as any other brand in terms of the brushhead itself... early days yet though, I've only had them for one or two years.

But got to say the Synthetics don"t last very long at all and curl up after about one session ,two at the most but at £1.75 a piece hey what!!

Yeah, in terms of point synthetic rounds do not last. I've had tip-curl happen during the first use, literally right in front of my eyes within minutes of wetting the brush. Other than that though they should still last, I have a few that are much more than a decade old.

Einion

 

[megroot]

Looked at the Davinci brushes.
What do guys think about these flats, and what should I prefer ( It's for basecoating with oils and blending) synthetic or natural hairs

Marc

 

[kagemusha]

Save your money and use synthetics Marc.
As for blending, still say make-up brushes suit me best personally, compared to any other type of natural or synthetic.

Ron

 

[Einion]

Your opinion is what counts Marc; ideally you should try both* and compare for yourself. While it's nice to get input from others their opinions could be diametrically opposed to yours, just as with anything - look at all the recommendations for Rosemary & Co. brushes versus your own opinion, don't need a better example than that!

*It's not a choice just between one synthetic type and Kolinsky, there are flats & filberts available in many different manmade fibres, regular sable, and a few mixes of sable and synthetic, plus there's also mongoose which is often chosen by traditional oil painters for blending brushes to use alongside their hog bristles.

Einion

Edit: make-up brushes may be even another category, they could be squirrel.

 

[megroot]

thanks for all the time you put into this.
Gonna try several brands. I start with the synthetic's.
I use makeup brushes to for blending the larger parts on horses, and cape's. For blending on very small spot's I need a flat brush.

Marc

 

[Einion]

Welcome Marc, glad to try to help.

Einion

 

[socko47]

I have not tried R and Co. but your thinner maybe a possiblity in the short lifespan.

 

[megroot]

I have not tried R and Co. but your thinner maybe a possiblity in the short lifespan.

That needs some more explanation......
I thin my paint with liquin from W&N and with White Spirit.
Cannot put my finger behind it why W&N serie 7 do it well, and the R&Co wouldn't do.

Marc