How to Clean Your Paint Brushes

How to Clean Your Paint Brushes



By Marion Boddy-Evans, About.com Guide




Your brushes are an investment. By cleaning them thoroughly and properly at the end of a painting session, they will last longer.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: Time worth spending

Here's How:

1.Wipe off any excess paint using a cloth or soft tissue. Gently squeezing the bristles from the ferrule edge outwards with your fingers, or with a cloth, will help remove paint from the brush. But be careful to avoid pulling on the bristles.

2.Rinse the brush in turpentine or oil if you've been using oils or lukewarm water if you've been using a water-based medium. Never use hot water as it can expand the ferrule, causing the hairs to fall out.

3.Wipe it on the cloth again to remove the last of the excess paint.

4.Wash gently using a little bit of mild soap (rather than dishwashing liquid). Dab the brush gently onto the piece of soap, then work up a lather in a small container (or the palm of your hand if you're not using any toxic pigments or solvents).

5.Rinse and repeat until there's no trace of any color coming out. Over time a brush may become stained, but don't stop rinsing until you're sure there's no paint left.

6.Rinse once more in clean, lukewarm water to remove any traces of soap. Shake off the water.

7.Use your fingers to gently shape the brush head into its correct shape.

8.If necessary, wrap the bristles in a piece of tissue or toilet paper while the brush is still wet. When the paper dries it'll contract, pulling the bristles into shape.

9.Leave brush to dry at room temperature. Ensure it's not resting on its head as it will then dry misshapen. Standing it on the back of the handle works well.

10.If you're worried about the toxicity of the paint you're working with, wear gloves while painting and cleaning your brushes. Also if you find the paint is drying out and cracking, or staining your skin.

Tips:

1.Always use separate brushes for oil painting and water-based medium. After all, oil repels water. Also use separate brushes for varnish, gesso, and masking fluid.

2.Don't let acrylic paint dry on a brush as its water-resistant when dry. But also never leave a brush standing in water.

3.Never use a lot of pressure to force paint out of a brush. Be patient and rinse it several times.

4.If your brush is made from natural bristle, you can soften it by dipping it in clean oil (the one you use as a medium) after you have cleaned it.

5.Misshapen synthetic brushes can sometimes be reshaped by soaking them in hot water (not boiling).

What You Need:

•Luke-warm water

•Mild soap

•Patience
 
http://painting.about.com/cs/paintingknowhow/ht/Howto_Brushcare.htm
 

I paint the background first -- what do you do ?

I like to paint the background  first -- don't know why -- just do -- a color or landscape -- whatever I decide the subject will be.

Then I go from there -- sometimes the whole idea for the painting shifts -- and it becomes something totally different -- I can't wait til it's done -- just to see what I have accomplished !

I never know how the project really will turn out -- so much fun and quite an adventure -- just to create something someone else will display in their home or place of business is a big thrill for me !

Fidostudio Original Abstract Paintings

2 New paintings -- 8x10 inch on media paper -- such fun !!

1---   " Color Burst " unique acrylic painting 8x10 OOAK

2--- " Climbing Gecko " acrylic painting 8x10 OOAK lizard

great artwork for Southwestern Native American Indian decor !!

I just posted them on Ebay -- 7 day auction -- but if you are interested in a buy it now -- feel free to make an offer through Ebay messages.

Thanks!!

http://myworld.ebay.com/cwrightartgallery

I take a few hours to dream up a painting !!

I take a little while to decide what I should paint -- then I take a few hours to design it in my mind!
If I am lucky, I won't change my mind by the time I get my painting supplies out and ready !!
This is why I have decided not to get too technical about what I will paint next -- I seem to change my mind in midstream !!
So far -- next thoughts are aimed at mosaic style -- painting -- but in mosaic style -- if you know what I mean !
Wish me luck and please feel free to follow my journey as I practice and learn and paint away !!

Run Run Rudolph - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Merry Christmas All !!

VEGEMITE on TOAST SPEED PAINTING: TheHill88's Portrait

Great resource site -- artist info here ---

http://wwar.com/artists/

In case you are a starving artist -- like me !!

Just ran across this blog -- really a cool place to visit -- get your recipes , etc.
http://onedollardietproject.wordpress.com/recipes/

My Etsy Shop

Check out  the Etsy shop and let me know what you think -- I am always looking to improve things !!cwrightartgallery

Check this out for fun -- paint recipes !

This would be fun for the kids, too !
Have a fun rain or snow day -- like today here in Virginia !
Paint Recipes

REDNECK ART made with BBQ RIBS - Speed Painting

Beyonce - Speed Painting by S. Maguire

National Gallery of Art Video Podcasts

http://www.nga.gov/podcasts/index.shtm

Aaronu paintings 'Angelina Jolie'

Picasso

If an elephant can paint, anybody can !!

This is so cool -- great idea for space decor or just for fun !!

This is a great idea for someone to use as a space room decor project or a quick painting idea for crafts, etc.

The 1 Minute Painting

Time Lapse speed painting --- Abstract Landscape --so cool !

Time Lapse speed painting Abstract Landscape by Maine Artist Tim Gagnon www.timgagnon.com

Check out the cool time lapsed video of an oil painting !!

Learn as you go and by watching others -- this is so cool !!

I found this here -- http://denverartsygal.blogspot.com/

 Landscape painting of a snowy mountain

So I go with the flow and let it become it's own !!

This is always my problem .

What do I paint next ??

I have to be inspired -- all it takes is a color or an idea hits me all of a sudden and then I start to paint.

Sometimes I  am surprised with the outcome -- because an idea will get turned once I start painting .

It is like  the painting has a mind of its own!

So I go with the flow and let it become it's own !!

Have a very successful and wonderful weekend !!

" Blue and White Flower Vase " 16x20 original painting

OOAK

one of a kind painting

" Blue and White Flower Vase "

by

C. Wright

12-2--09

16x20 inch acrylic painting on stretched canvas .

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I got an idea and went with it -- I like it !!

Blue and white vase with blue flowers and blue table -- looks clean and fresh .

The background is white .

A lot of people will decorate with blue and white but that is not what gave me this idea . I saw a show on old chinese pottery -- the blue and white -- and it looked so neat !

This will go with anyone's collection , paintings , blue and white decor , floral decor .

colors -- blue and white acrylic paint

I like to add interest to the paintings with texture !!

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** This is a one of a kind OOAK original 16x20 inch painting on stretched canvas .

** signed on front and back

I will include a certificate of authenticity .

**********************************

A gift of original art is one of the most special gifts you could offer someone .

My art is not perfect -- I don't think anything or anyone is perfect -- so my paintings will never be an exact painting -- you will see as you follow my art .

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I seem to be having too much fun with this painting hobby of mine !!

You never know what I will paint next !!

If there are any questions about any of my listings, please feel free to contact me.

Please keep track of cwrightartgallery !!!

Always leave feedback!!!

**************Thank You!!!**************

Hang Your Canvas Painting .

You want to display your recent purchase or your talent and sometimes this can give you grief because it just won't look straight.

Canvas paintings can be heavy -- so you need to make sure what you hang them with will hold the weight.

One way to hang a canvas is with nails into the wall .

Measure the dimensions of the canvas painting especially the width of the canvas.

Use a level -- Mark the wall with a pencil. 1 -- far left edge, 1 -- in the center and 1 -- at the far right. Make sure the level measures straight across so the painting sits straight.

Hammer a nail into each of the marks on the wall at least 1 inch and leave 1/2 inch out to hold the painting .

This is just a simple way for you to hang a canvas -- one nail seems to cause more problems because it allows the canvas to tilt when there is a vibration or movement of the wall.

I hope this helps you -- I know there are many ways to hang pictures, etc. but this is the simple way -- cheaper way -- my way !!