If you are frustrated with how your painting turns out, and you've been using those brushes sold by Games Workshop...those brushes are almost certainly part of the problem. The one that comes with the paint set isn't that good for much more than mixing colors. Their larger brushes are just fine for applying color, but I personally do not care for their detail brushes, nor do I like using rounds for drybrushing. Use 'golden nylon', also called Taklon, synthetic brushes for your work--rounds for detailing, flats and 'acorn' or 'cat's-tongue' shapes for drybrushing and washes. Synthetic brushes may eventually curl at the tip after a few months to a year of regular use, depending on the grade of fiber. Poking and pushing with the brush, to get paint into recesses, will curl the points quickly.

Remember, though, that detail brushes are for details, and if you feel like it takes forever to paint a figure, you may be using a brushes that is too small for the majority of the work. Exceptionally tiny brushes with just a few hairs aren't useful; they hold so little paint that it is simpler to use a larger brush with a fine point.

You should clean synthetic brushes with dish detergent. Natural brushes really need a commercial brush cleaner with a conditioner, as they are a protein fiber and detergents, alcohol, and acetone will dry and degrade it. Use lukewarm water, reshape the point, and store upright.

Games Workshop Paint Bottles: To prevent those annoying Citadel paints from drying out just flip them upside down and store them on their lids. This will actually double the lifespan of the paint usually

Use Old Paint Bottles : Here's a use for old paint bottles. Put a dab of glue on the bottom of the paint bottle, and then place a miniature you are painting on the glue. This makes a perfect holder so you don't rub paint off. Once you're done painting the figure, lightly rock it back and forth and it should pop right off the bottle. The black caps of citadel paint bottles are just the right size to hold a 28mm round base as well. You can even leave figures glued on to spray varnish them - and for priming them.

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