Tips for Caring for Your Artist Brushes

A good brush is the backbone of a successful painting. Caring for your artist brushes is essential in order to maintain the quality of your work and ensure they last longer. If you don’t look after your brushes properly, they can become dull and cease to give their best performance. Here are some tips to help you properly care for your artist brushes and keep them in good condition.

Clean Regularly

It is important to clean brushes regularly and as soon as you finish painting for the day. Make sure you use the right type of cleaner. For oil paints, use mineral spirits or paint thinner, and for watercolors and acrylics use soap and water. After cleaning them, lay them flat to dry on a piece of paper towel or a cloth.

Soak

Sometimes, paint can get stuck in the brushes. To remove dried paint from them, soak the bristles in a jar of clean solvent for fifteen to twenty minutes. This will soften the paint and make it easier to remove. Use a med-stiff toothbrush to remove any remnants.

Shape

If you want your brushes to hold a point and maintain the right shape you have to regularly shape them. To do this, use a damp cloth or piece of paper towel to wipe away any wet paint. Once you have removed the paint, reshape the bristles by pushing them in the right direction. With acrylic and watercolor brushes, it is better to shape the head in one direction rather than split the bristles.

Store

When you are finished using them, it is important to store your artist brushes properly. Always lay them flat on a sheet of paper towel or cloth and make sure the bristles don’t touch other objects that may damage them. If possible, you should keep your brushes in a jar, cup, or plastic box with an airtight lid. This will help protect them from dust and dirt.

Deep Clean

It is important that you deep clean your brushes once a month. To do this, soak the bristles in a jar of clean solvent. After fifteen minutes, swish the brush around in the solvent and then let it soak for another fifteen minutes. Once this is done, rinse it under running water and then shampoo it with a mild soap. Lay it flat to dry on a piece of paper towel or cloth.

Condition

It is also important to condition your artist brushes routinely. To do this, you can use a good brush conditioner or special brush cleaning solution. This will help keep the bristles soft and supple.

Avoid Damage

Make sure you take extra care when cleaning your brushes. Don’t use any harsh brushes or cleaning solutions, as this could damage the bristles. It’s also important to not leave your brushes submerged overnight as this can cause them to shed and become brittle.

Choose Quality

If you want to get the best results from your brushes, it’s important to choose quality products. Natural hair brushes are usually the best choice for watercolors and oils, while synthetic brushes are another great option for water colors, acrylics and inks.

Tips for Caring for Your Artist Brushes

  1. Clean them regularly, as soon as you finish painting for the day.

  2. Soak brushes in a jar of clean solvent if paint has dried and is hard to remove.

  3. Shape the bristles after cleaning by pushing them in the right direction.

  4. Store the brushes flat on a sheet of paper towel or cloth.

  5. Deep clean the brushes once a month by soaking them in a jar of solvent, rinsing and then shampooing.

  6. Condition the bristles regularly with a brush conditioner or cleaning solution.

  7. Avoid harsh brushes and cleaning solutions that may damage the bristles.

  8. Don’t leave brushes submerged overnight as this can cause them to shed and become brittle.

  9. Choose good quality products for the best results.

Caring for your artist brushes is an essential part of producing quality art. Follow the above tips to ensure your brushes remain in good condition and last longer. Clean them regularly, shape the bristles, condition them and store them properly. Choose quality products to get the best results and avoid damaging them by using harsh brushes and cleaners.