Taking care of your art brushes well is one of the best ways to ensure it has a long lifespan. A happy art brush is one that is always dunked in paint, freely skipping across an empty canvas and leaving behind a trail of pigment. Art brushes may take a good beating every time it is used, but even if it looks like it needs to retire, don't throw them away! Rejuvenate them with our five fantastic ways below.
Don't let acrylic paint dry on your brush
If you always use acrylic paint, you know that this is the type of paint that dries very easily. Whatever you do, always keep your art brush moist or wet. Do not let paint dry on your brush during or after using it. Make it a habit too to wash it with warm soap and water after an art session for a thorough clean.
Always have a cup of water on standby when painting with acrylic to avoid creating crusty stumps on your art brushes. Remember: the longer you allow paint to dry on your art brush, the harder it becomes to remove it.
However, if your art brushes have turned very crusty, don't throw it away still! Use it in an expressionistic way or any artwork that do not require intricate precision or gentle strokes.
If you always use acrylic paint, you know that this is the type of paint that dries very easily. Whatever you do, always keep your art brush moist or wet. Do not let paint dry on your brush during or after using it. Make it a habit too to wash it with warm soap and water after an art session for a thorough clean.
Always have a cup of water on standby when painting with acrylic to avoid creating crusty stumps on your art brushes. Remember: the longer you allow paint to dry on your art brush, the harder it becomes to remove it.
However, if your art brushes have turned very crusty, don't throw it away still! Use it in an expressionistic way or any artwork that do not require intricate precision or gentle strokes.
Try not to let it get on the ferrule
What is a ferrule?
What is a ferrule?
Photo source: www.thinglink.com
It is the silver part of an art brush that keeps the strands and the handle together and in shape. You know it is a good ferrule if it does not rust or it does not come loose.
Why should you try not get paint on it? When paint gets on the ferrule, paint usually turns into a large blob between it and the strands, resulting into brush strands that are too spread apart and frayed. Make it a habit to dip your paint only on the strands or immediately clean your brush before it hardens.
Why should you try not get paint on it? When paint gets on the ferrule, paint usually turns into a large blob between it and the strands, resulting into brush strands that are too spread apart and frayed. Make it a habit to dip your paint only on the strands or immediately clean your brush before it hardens.
Don't let art brush rest down for too long in water
It is not enough to have a cup of water for rinsing your art brush on standby. Remember never to leave your brush with all the strands facing head down in your cup. An art brush with bent and frayed strands will definitely go wonky, and you don't want your artwork to be compromised simply because of an art brush mishandling.
Even a stiff brush should not be forced down inside a cup of water. It will ruin its integrity and you don't want that to happen!
If you're painting quite a big artwork and you are using more than one brush at the same time, have a rack on your work desk so your art brushes can rest properly while waiting for its turn. Check out some brush racks you can use below.
It is not enough to have a cup of water for rinsing your art brush on standby. Remember never to leave your brush with all the strands facing head down in your cup. An art brush with bent and frayed strands will definitely go wonky, and you don't want your artwork to be compromised simply because of an art brush mishandling.
Even a stiff brush should not be forced down inside a cup of water. It will ruin its integrity and you don't want that to happen!
If you're painting quite a big artwork and you are using more than one brush at the same time, have a rack on your work desk so your art brushes can rest properly while waiting for its turn. Check out some brush racks you can use below.
Photo source: www.art-is-fun.com
Get help from these DIY tricks
There's truly a lot of TLC when it comes to preserving good ol' art brushes.
If your art brush set comes with a preserver kit, use it regularly to prolong the lifespan of your vital art instruments.
They say you can also use regular shampoo together with warm water to clean art brushes so you might want to give that a spin too. Some even use dish washing soap and ammonia-based glass cleaner for stubborn stumps of water-soluble paints.
And for really stubborn paint, use a brush to clean your brush! This gives your old toothbrushes another round of practical use before retiring it for good.
There's truly a lot of TLC when it comes to preserving good ol' art brushes.
If your art brush set comes with a preserver kit, use it regularly to prolong the lifespan of your vital art instruments.
They say you can also use regular shampoo together with warm water to clean art brushes so you might want to give that a spin too. Some even use dish washing soap and ammonia-based glass cleaner for stubborn stumps of water-soluble paints.
And for really stubborn paint, use a brush to clean your brush! This gives your old toothbrushes another round of practical use before retiring it for good.
Store art brushes vertically head-up or horizontally
Give your art brushes the proper rest it deserves when not in use. Make sure they are stored vertically head-side-up or horizontally or else, they can become deformed. Some artists have their brushes rolled up in a canvas sleeve with small individual pockets for each art brush. Do not pack them too tightly.
Give your art brushes the proper rest it deserves when not in use. Make sure they are stored vertically head-side-up or horizontally or else, they can become deformed. Some artists have their brushes rolled up in a canvas sleeve with small individual pockets for each art brush. Do not pack them too tightly.
Photo source: www.cheapjoes.com
Be sure to take good care of your art brushes so you can use them for many years. What other tips do you have when it comes to taking care of them? :)
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