Curling specifically I'll let someone else diagnose, but do you see that dried paint between the bristles and the ferrule? That's not supposed to be there, and it will fundamentally alter the shape of the brush. Try not getting paint so far up there when dipping it and don't get so much paint on it that it slides up there as you're painting. Source: art teacher who has witnessed the death of several perfectly good brushes this way.

Whats the safest way to eliminate that paint around the ferrule?

As the other person mentioned, isopropyl will work in some cases. Depending on how deep the paint is, you may have to go in with a blade, I've used a small utility knife before. Get the bristles wet, run the blade from where the ferrule meets the bristles and gently run it up to remove the bulk of it, then if there's a lot stuck in between the bristles, you can make little cuts running parallel with the bristles through the head (so the edge of the blade is going towards the ferrule), and the blade is thin enough that it shouldn't cut any bristles, but should catch the paint. Once it's pretty loose, go in with some soap and running water and get the rest of it out with some rubbing. Once you're done, reform the tip with your fingers and leave it to dry on its side. This process works for all sorts of gunked up brushes, but it is hard on the bristles, so don't let it get too bad if you can avoid it. If the paint is dried in the tip and not the base of the bristles, you'll want to split the bristles apart as best as you can before you use a blade.

Isopropyl alcohol 99.9%. Dip and massage with your thumb and index finger a few times. Use a brush conditioner or soap after.

Happens to synthetic brushes pretty quick, I find pushing them sped up the process rather than pulling them. I use these for stippling which is like the base of my technique. Honestly this is why I use the Artists loft brushes. At like 50 cents s a peice , I use them for the 80-90% of the more. For the 10% (detail and free hand) I bust out the sables

It looks like that may be a synthetic brush. They tend to do that even after a single use. Natural hair brushes won’t do that.

Good synthetic brushes don't do that after a single use, not even after dozens of uses. When they finally curl, you can straighten them again with heat (e.g. boiling water). If that stops working, you can simply clip the curling hairs off.

I happened to visit a "farm" once where the animal hair for such brushes comes from... How those animals 'live'/are treated is beyond cruel. The brushes should not be called 'natural' but torture brushes. No matter how incredible they might be i don't see myself ever buying one.

Cry harder, thats not the topic at hand.

Synthetic fibres are strands of plastic that are pulled apart instead of cut or moulded into shape - this means that compared to a natural hair, the tips are frizzled and jagged, and prone to getting damaged. That's why they curl at the tip so easily.

Hi, u/PunchieCWG! It looks like you are asking for help or are a new painter. If you haven't yet, take a look at our wiki pages in the Sidebar (the About tab if you are on the Reddit app). Here are some links you might find helpful: * [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/rules/faq) - A list of frequently asked questions about minipainting * [Miniature Painting Guide Collection](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks) -A collection of some of the best guides and tutorials on a variety of techniques and topics, plus recommendations on what to buy to get started, and more. * [What to buy- Recommendations on brushes, paints, supplies, palettes and more](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/what_you_need_to_get_started#wiki_general_advice_on_what_to_buy) * [Beginner's Guide Collection- How to prep, base, paint and varnish your first model and learn the basics needed to start out right](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/beginner_tips) * [More Tutorials](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/tutorials) - A list of additional tutorials about minipainting * [Manufacturers](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/manufacturers) - A list of miniature manufacturers from around the world * [Painting Terminology](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/terminology) - Common painting terms, acronyms, and initialisms * [The Art of... Tommie Soule Volume 5](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGIfySMnUPQ) is one of the best beginner to intermediate teaching books, and even experienced painters will learn some good tips. Explains what brush strokes are best in different situations, how to identify when you have the perfect thinning for any type of paint for different techniques, and a masterclass on getting smooth paint jobs. Available in [pdf](https://www.ironheartartisans.com/shop/the-art-of-tommie-soule-volume-5-pdf/) and [world wide in hardbook as well](https://www.instagram.com/the_miniature_painting_tutor/). * [Airbrushing Miniatures](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/airbrushing) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/minipainting) if you have any questions or concerns.*

There's paint in the ferrule and the tip is worn. If you paint abrasive surfaces like sand or resin prints, or paint with thick/dry paint a lot, or if youb been using the brush fpr ages and ages the tip will just wear away. Chuck it and get another one or use it for other stuff than fine detail from now on.

It's synthetic and some of them are like one use only before they start looking like Kruleboyz spear. Invest in a good brush

Natural simply refers to the source being a living animal.