Any artist will tell you that having the right tools is essential to creating beautiful paintings. The same is true of paintbrushes, which come in a wide range of shapes and sizes to suit different techniques. However, regardless of their type, all paintbrushes need to be properly cared for if they are to last.
The first step is to always clean them immediately after use, using either soap and water or a dedicated brush cleaner. This will remove any paint from the bristles and prevent them from drying out. Once they are clean, paintbrushes should be stored in a dry, airtight container to prevent them from drying out or becoming damaged by dust or moisture. With proper care, your paintbrushes will last for years, making them a valuable investment for any artist.
Start with a quality brush
You get what you pay for. This means that you should not skimp on quality when buying something. If something comes in a bag of 12, it is probably not the high quality item you are looking for.
When painting your tabletop miniatures, it is important to use a good quality brush. A good quality brush can be expensive, but it is worth the investment. If you take care of your brush, it can last for several years. However, if you try to go cheap and purchase a low-quality brush, you may not get the longevity that you would with a better quality brush.
Cheap brushes have bristles that are thicker and less in number. The bristles are also coarser which makes it difficult to do a project with precision. The bristles can also lose their point quickly.
Take care how much paint you load onto your brush
One of the easiest ways to ruin a paintbrush is to get paint wedged in the metal part that holds the bristles together. If the paint dries in that area, it will force the bristles apart and ruin the shape of the tip. When loading paint onto the brush, I try not to get paint past the middle of the brush. That is usually where there is enough space for me to put enough paint on without jeopardizing the long-term health of my brush.
Cleaning between colors during your paint session
When you are changing colors, you will need to rinse your brush. The easiest way to do this is to dip the bristles of the brush into your clean water and swirl it around. Do not try to press or rub the bristles against the bottom of the cup because this will only push the paint around and make it harder to rinse off.
You should avoid doing this because it can damage the bristles and make them lose their shape. I will sometimes use my finger to gently rub the bristles to loosen any stubborn paint. This will help force the paint out from them. repeat this process until you stop seeing paint come out when you squeeze the bristles. Use a paper towel or lint-free cloth to blot the water from your brushes and check that they are clean. If they are not clean, repeat these steps until they are clean.
Clean your brushes thoroughly immediately after you finish painting
Never let the paint dry on the brush
The longer the paint dries, the harder it gets. Acrylic paint becomes non-soluble when it dries completely. This means that the paint will be difficult to clean off of the brush. If you wait a few minutes, the paint will be easier to clean than if you wait overnight. Allowing the paint to harden on the bristles can turn your nice expensive brush into a crappy expensive stick.
Use something more than just water
After you finish painting, it is important to clean your brush properly. Clean it with water as described above, and then use a brush cleaner to make sure all the paint is off the bristles. I like to use The Master’s Brush Cleaner & Preserver because it cleans the bristles well and also conditions them so they stay in good shape.
To use a brush cleaner, add some clean water to the surface of the cleaner. Work the fibers of the brush into the cleaner and the paint will come out. Use some clean water to rinse the cleanser from the bristles. I prefer to rinse the bristles under running water in my sink, but you could also do this in a bucket or bowl if you want.
To make a stiff brush, use some paper towels or a clean cloth. Twist the brush so it has a sharp tip. When the brush dries, it will be stiff and the bristles will stay in that shape. Another option is to use shampoo or soap.
Give special care to the base of the bristles
The metal part of the brush where the bristles attach to the handle is called the ferrule. If paint gets into this area, it can force the bristles to separate. Over time, paint buildup in this area will prevent the tip from reforming accurately. When paint gets into this area, you can use a small tool like your hobby knife to pick out the dried bits.
There are solutions that can dissolve dried acrylic paint, such as Winsor and Newton’s brush cleaner and restorer. However, you need to use them carefully so that they do not harm the rest of your brush. It is better to take care of your brushes with preventive measures than to have to use these harsher treatments.
Don’t leave your brush in the cleaning water
The bristles on your brush absorb liquid so that the paint can be transferred to your models. When the bristles are wet, they can become deformed if they are bent to the side and held there for a long period of time. Even if your brush isn’t bent, the bristles can become frayed from being exposed to water for a long time.
If you are using more than one brush, you should store the unused brushes in a way that keeps the tips from touching paint or water. One way to do this is to rest the brushes across the top of your water pot horizontally. Another way is to put them on a paper towel laying flat so that the moisture can be wicked away from the bristles.
You ruined a brush, now what?
There are a few things you can do with old worn-out brushes. If you need to do something that might ruin the brush, use one that you don’t care about anymore. For example, if you want to spread white PVA glue around on the base of a model to attach sand or other finishing touches, use an old brush for that. You can also use them for spreading washes over a model when you don’t need precision.
Store your brush properly
When you are done using your brush, it is important to store it in a safe place. Make sure the brush is dry before you store it. You can either store the brush flat or with the tip pointing up. It is best to store brushes in a cup or on a stand that holds them point up so they don’t get damaged.
Remember that your brushes are a big investment in your hobby. Taking care of them will not only make them last longer, but also make them work better for a longer time. If you take just a little time to maintain them now, you’ll enjoy using them more in the future.
FAQ
What do you do with a paintbrush after use?
You should rinse the paintbrush off with warm, soapy water and then dry it off with a cloth or air dry it.
How do you keep your brushes in good condition?
To keep your brushes in good condition, you should rinse them off with warm, soapy water and then dry them off with a cloth or air dry them.
Do you have to wash paint brushes after every use?
No, you don’t have to wash paint brushes after every use. However, it is recommended that you rinse them off with warm, soapy water and then dry them off with a cloth or air dry them to keep them in good condition.
How do you clean a paintbrush thoroughly?
To clean a paintbrush thoroughly, you should rinse it off with warm, soapy water and then dry it off with a cloth or air dry it.