The best brushes for painting miniatures split into two jobs: a small number of high-quality rounds for detail and blending, and a larger set of cheap synthetics you do not mind ruining on metallics, washes, and texture paints. Building a kit around both, rather than one expensive brush for everything, is what actually makes a good brush last.
1. Winsor and Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Round
The reference-standard sable round, holding a fine point for detail work and eyes. This is the brush most competition painters mean when they say "a good sable."
2. Raphael 8404 Kolinsky Sable Round
A favorite among competition painters for its large paint-carrying belly combined with a needle-fine tip, useful for both broad blending and fine line work from the same brush.
3. Army Painter Wargamer Brush Set
A color-coded synthetic set covering base, layer, and detail work, aimed squarely at beginners who need a full kit without guessing which brush does which job.
4. Army Painter Regiment Brush
A workhorse synthetic round built for basecoating whole units quickly, the brush to reach for when you are painting ten identical models rather than one showpiece.
5. Citadel Base, Layer and Shade Brush Trio
Manufacturer brushes matched to Citadel's own Base, Layer, and Shade paint steps, a reasonable pick if you are already following that painting system and want brushes sized for it.
6. Drybrush Set (angled synthetic)
Stiff angled heads built for edge highlighting metallics and texture without soaking up bristles the way a soft round would. Keep these entirely separate from your detail brushes.
7. Synthetic Detail Brush Set (size 000 to 2)
Inexpensive synthetics for the corrosive jobs, metallics, washes, and Contrast or technical paints, that would otherwise wear down a good sable. This is the set that protects everything above it on this list.
8. Kolinsky Sable Brush Set (assorted sizes)
A multi-size sable pack covering most tabletop painting from one box, a solid middle option if you want sable quality without buying single brushes one at a time.
9. Brush Soap and Conditioner (The Masters)
Not a brush, but the product that keeps every sable on this list alive. It cleans dried paint out of the ferrule and reshapes the tip, and is the single easiest way to extend a good brush's working life.
| Pick | Best for |
|---|---|
| Winsor and Newton Series 7 | Fine detail and eyes |
| Raphael 8404 | Blending and fine line work in one brush |
| Army Painter Wargamer Set | Beginners needing a full color-coded kit |
| Army Painter Regiment Brush | Basecoating whole units fast |
| Citadel Base/Layer/Shade Trio | Following the Citadel paint system step by step |
| Drybrush Set (angled) | Edge highlighting and texture, kept separate from detail brushes |
| Synthetic Detail Set (000 to 2) | Metallics, washes, and technical paints |
| Kolinsky Sable Set (assorted) | Sable quality across most tabletop work |
| Brush Soap and Conditioner | Cleaning and reshaping to extend brush life |
FAQ
Is kolinsky sable worth it over synthetic for miniatures?
For fine detail and holding a point, yes, sable outperforms most synthetics. For metallics, washes, and technical paints that chew up bristles, a cheap synthetic set is the better choice so you are not wearing down an expensive brush on abrasive paint.
How many brushes does a beginner actually need?
A small round for base coating, a fine detail brush, and a drybrush is enough to start. A color-coded set like the Army Painter Wargamer set covers that range in one purchase.
How do I clean miniature paint brushes properly?
Rinse between colors, then wash with a dedicated brush soap rather than dish soap, working it gently into the ferrule where dried paint builds up unseen. Reshape the tip while wet and let it dry with the bristles facing up.
What is the best small detail brush for eyes?
A fine-pointed sable round, like the Winsor and Newton Series 7 or the Raphael 8404, holds a sharper point at small sizes than most synthetics, which is what eyes and other tiny details need.
Start with the Winsor and Newton Series 7(affiliate link) for detail, the Army Painter Wargamer Brush Set(affiliate link) for a full beginner kit, the synthetic detail set(affiliate link) to protect your sables, and The Masters brush soap(affiliate link) to keep them all working.