How to Clean Your Paint Brushes©
Posted: Thursday, July 07, 2011
by Arlene Wright-Correll
http://www.learn-america.com
This week’s “Art Only Spoken Here” question asks, “I really cannot get my paint brushes clean of oils and acrylics. Do you have any suggestions?”
Paint brushes of any kind are expensive and especially ones for oils and acrylics. Cleaning them correctly is most important, not only to preserve them, but to save you money. Also poor paint brushes usually produce poor paintings regardless of how good you paint.
I would first suggest you take your oil painting brush and do the following:
1. Place a piece of newspaper in the palm of your hand.
2. Lay your brush on the newspaper and fold the paper around the metal part of the brush.
3. Using your fingers, squeeze as tightly as possible, starting right at the base of the bristles, while pulling the brush back through your fingers. Get as much paint as you can out of the brush as you repeat this process several times each time leaving more paint on the paper than on your brush.
4. Now fill a small container with paint thinner and dip your brush into it.
5. Repeat steps 1, 2 & 3. This will be a messier process so be aware of it. Again repeat this process several times and each time you should see more of the original color of your paint brush. However, you will still have some oil paint in your brush.
6. Now put some liquid soap in the palm of your hand and using your other hand to hold the brush, rub the brush back and forth in the liquid soap. Soon the liquid soap and your hand will be loaded with paint so wash both hands and the brush with clean water and repeat step 6 again until the brush is as clean as you want it. If you do not like messy hands or are worried about Cadmium going into your skin then wear some rubber or disposable surgical gloves.
7. Rinse out all the soapy water from your brush and use newspaper to make sure it is clean of any kind of soap scum or color.
Clean your oil painting brushes this way immediately after using. Do not let them sit in paint thinner for a day or two as I have often seen some artists do. This method will only weaken the bristles in your brush.
When painting with acrylic paint never let your brushes dry and they will dry quickly. Always have a container of water to put your paint brushes into as you use them. When you are finished painting immediately clean them. You may lay your brush at an angle in the water and it will not hurt the bristles, but immediately clean your brushes following steps 1, 2, & 3. Omit step number 4 and continue on to step 5, 6, & 7.
Taking care of your brushes will cost you a little time, but save you lots of money as it does us at Avalon Stained Glass School & Creativity Center: .
May the Creative Force be With You….
Arlene Wright-Correll
If your birthday falls between July 1st, & July 31st stop in for a visit at Avalon Stained Glass School & Creativity Center during our business hours and pick up your free birthday gift. There is nothing to buy and these birthday gifts will range from $10.00 to $150.00 so it might be your lucky day. Questions? Just email me at askarlene@scrtc.com
Paint brushes of any kind are expensive and especially ones for oils and acrylics. Cleaning them correctly is most important, not only to preserve them, but to save you money. Also poor paint brushes usually produce poor paintings regardless of how good you paint.
1. Place a piece of newspaper in the palm of your hand.
2. Lay your brush on the newspaper and fold the paper around the metal part of the brush.
3. Using your fingers, squeeze as tightly as possible, starting right at the base of the bristles, while pulling the brush back through your fingers. Get as much paint as you can out of the brush as you repeat this process several times each time leaving more paint on the paper than on your brush.
4. Now fill a small container with paint thinner and dip your brush into it.
5. Repeat steps 1, 2 & 3. This will be a messier process so be aware of it. Again repeat this process several times and each time you should see more of the original color of your paint brush. However, you will still have some oil paint in your brush.
6. Now put some liquid soap in the palm of your hand and using your other hand to hold the brush, rub the brush back and forth in the liquid soap. Soon the liquid soap and your hand will be loaded with paint so wash both hands and the brush with clean water and repeat step 6 again until the brush is as clean as you want it. If you do not like messy hands or are worried about Cadmium going into your skin then wear some rubber or disposable surgical gloves.
7. Rinse out all the soapy water from your brush and use newspaper to make sure it is clean of any kind of soap scum or color.
Clean your oil painting brushes this way immediately after using. Do not let them sit in paint thinner for a day or two as I have often seen some artists do. This method will only weaken the bristles in your brush.
When painting with acrylic paint never let your brushes dry and they will dry quickly. Always have a container of water to put your paint brushes into as you use them. When you are finished painting immediately clean them. You may lay your brush at an angle in the water and it will not hurt the bristles, but immediately clean your brushes following steps 1, 2, & 3. Omit step number 4 and continue on to step 5, 6, & 7.
Taking care of your brushes will cost you a little time, but save you lots of money as it does us at Avalon Stained Glass School & Creativity Center: .
May the Creative Force be With You….
Arlene Wright-Correll
If your birthday falls between July 1st, & July 31st stop in for a visit at Avalon Stained Glass School & Creativity Center during our business hours and pick up your free birthday gift. There is nothing to buy and these birthday gifts will range from $10.00 to $150.00 so it might be your lucky day. Questions? Just email me at askarlene@scrtc.com
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