Real Brushes and Brush Cleaner
by real brushes i mean the ones that don't have a reservoir. you can term them something else, but to me, they're real brushes. i don't have the budget for the professional lines, but i do have a few mid-range ones. the ones i like are escoda pointed rounds. they're springy, full-bellied, and within a reasonable price range. i own one raphael 8404 brush that cost me nearly $60 on a very big discount, and i will still reach for the escoda. maybe it's the price of the raphael that keeps me hesitant, but i am rough on my brushes.
which also brings me to the one thing you must have when you have good brushes, expensive or not: masters brush cleaner and preserver. don't argue, just get it. take good care of your shit, and they'll take better care of you.