My favorite brushes

DaVinci Top Acryl (synthetic) brushes. These to me are the top of the line. www.DickBlick.com

They are very stiff, like a bristle, but synthetic. Very hardy, i prefer painting on hard surfaces, canvas panels, masonite, gessoed wood, rather than stretched canvas, so these brushes hold up for me great. I think I've taken a cotton to filberts....i always reach for them. Flats that aren't too long i like too, never use a round.

I tried the Robert Simmons Titaniums from a suggestion on this fabulous forum, but for me they were just a bit too soft.

Trial and Error, and finding one's favorites.....it's all part of the journey.

See my other watersoluble oil recommendations here, including mediums, palette, cleaning brushes, etc.
http://www.artforthesoulofit.com/2011/02/03/why-i-use-water-soluble-oils/

Thank you for the suggestion! I do use the Robert Simmons Titaniums and like them but like you I find them a little soft for some of the effects that I would like to get.