How to keep paint brushes clean

 

I have ruined so many brushes.  I now take very good care of them and have a very regimented routine. 

 

 

 

You can probably tell these are badly cared for brushes.  You can see where I went wrong.  The bad part is, its like painting with a boom.  You really need a nice edge to make a brush work for you.  However, I never throw them out because you never know when you might need one for something. 

By the way these were not cheapo brushes.  It's brands that I really like, Silver and, I can't read the label on the top one because the handle is so covered with paint.  I confess in the past to leaving them with gunked on paint overnight. 

I've had these awhile and, so far, they are like new.  They keep a nice edge and you can use even  big brushes for tiny things, because the corners are good, as well as the edges.  These are Silver Brand and Monarch, terrific brushes. 

 

 

My routine:

 

 

1.  Pull of excess paint by swiping across sock.

(If you read a recent blog about how I attach an old sock top to my palette, you will know what I mean)

2. Then I dip the brush into the odorless mineral spirits, next use a paper towel to remove even more excess paint. 

 

3.  Use soap and water (I use Ivory Soap because it is white and you can see the paint coming off the brush).  Use a circular rubbing motion until there is no more color coming off the brush.  Use your fingers to squeeze the soap and water and maybe paint, from the brush ferrule to the edge of the brush.  (Now I wish I knew how to put a video on my blog)

 

 

4.  Dry the handles, then put on a flat surface to dry. 

 

What I like about this routine is that you have nice clean professional looking brushes when you start to paint the next day.  It feels good.  

 

Day 19 of the Marketing Challenge:

Leslie's Marketing Challenge

Until today I have completed every assignment, but today's idea of putting a video on your blog was out of my reach.  I read the suggested information and checked out the editing/settings that are part of the process.  Another snag is that I don't have any videos to present, unless videos of my  grandchildren or my dog Ziva would interest anyone. 

Instead I am sharing two ideas that I really like.  One is a container for your paints that keeps them organized while you paint.  The other idea is to use the top of an old sock on your palette.  The way I use it is to swipe the brush over it and it removes excess paint, part of keeping your brush clean to achieve strong and vibrant color:

This idea is from The Dreama Tolle Perry workshop.    If you look closely, you will see the paints are organized according to the color wheel.  The front row is yellow, red, blue.  The second row is secondary colors and so on.  I bought this one at Michael's with a 40% off coupon. 

This is my own invention, sort of a recycling thing. What else can you do with old socks?  Just pull the brush across the ribs and it helps keep it clean.  It lasts for one painting session, then you can use the other side.  Saves on paper towels.

 

 

Almost finished painting from today, I 'm too tired to finish it today and, anyway, I need to get away from it and re-evaluate tomorrow.