Richard,
Thank-you again for your valuable technical information. You are a gem.
However you make me feel guilty about how I treat my brushes, I should be brought up on cruelty charges.
I am also a brush junkie. There are brushes you have not mentioned. The Raphaels.
They have a series 8772 filbert brush, which they call Kevrin. I think it is mongoose, whatever. It is not as soft as a sable, which is too floppy, and not as rough as a bristle. It can make quite a sharp edge and is really great for the more delicate facial areas. They are quite reasonable as well.
The second brush in my repertoire is the fabulous bristle series 3577. It is a short filbert. It is a straightened bristle, no curves on the end. It gives you great control on the larger areas.
For more swishy areas, I love the 3577, also a straightened bristle filbert but longer. It also has great control, but filled with paint it is great for those dashing and virtuoso effects we long for.
They are great and reliable workhorses.
I get them at the
www.italianartstore.com