A simple guide to cleaning your brushes - Best methods and tools
Tools of the trade - unless you fingerpaint. Image: Cottonbro
Its not the most glamorous or even the most sexiest (is anything in art?) part of painting, but its one of the most integral parts - after nearly every session. If you are anything like me, you love to spend your hard earned cash on new art supplies, ever walked into an art store and just felt like its Christmas? Well, I spend quite a bit on tools for the trade and brushes are always one of the top pieces of equipment I spend on. So, it makes sense to want to look after them, they are not cheap, and when you find a brush or set of brushes that hit that spot for you, well you want them to last. I have made mistakes with mine, and probably continue to do so, but here are some of my tips that keep them fresh!
Why does proper brush care matter?
Beautiful, but damaging… Image: kelly
Oil paints are stunning, rich, vibrant, buttery. The medium we use are also wonderful to work with but they take their toll on brushes, leftover paints, mediums can dry into a stubborn crust, colour and pigments can dry and stay fixed to the bristles for years. This slowly reduces the brushes ability to flex, to take on paint and to transfer paint onto a canvas in a positive manner. Taking a few minutes after a session to clean them, or to keep them conditioned for a following session will save you having to replace them often.
What do you need to clean your brushes?
Now I do not have an extensive list of everything that exists, I start out with testing what products work, what can be doubled down on (say, it could be used as a paint thinner also) and if its is expensive or not. The principle is always the same, although the products or method differ.
Solvent and Linseed
Odourless Solvent: Something that will break down the paint, for example, brush cleaner (Jacksons art link)
A Mild Soap: Something that will condition the bristles, for example, Brush soap (Cowling and Wilcox link)
Cleaning Jars: Old jam jars, old condiment jars, plastic containers that have a sealed lid.
Kitchen Roll or Old Rags: I would prefer kitchen roll, its more absorbent and its easily replaced.
Oil Painting Medium: Although optional it can condition the brushes too. Safflower oil, Walnut oil and Linseed oils are common. I prefer to use linseed to paint with but also vegetable oil to condition the brushes after, ensuring this is wiped off before the next session.
What exactly is brush cleaner?
For oil painters brush cleaners are traditionally made with solvent, think White Spirit, Turpentine but you can also opt for some better more environmental solutions such as Brush cleaner. Personally, I usually wipe of any paint before using these and then condition the bristles to help keep their shape.
Step-by-Step Guide to cleaning brushes
Wipe off excess Paint
Before we get to using solvents or any other products, the most important first step is to use a piece of kitchen towel or rag to gently remove as much as possible. It helps prevent the cleaner becoming full of paint itself but bear in mind not to push paint into the ferrule.
Rinse in the solvent/cleaner
Pour some solvent/cleaner into a jar or a container, enough to cover the bristles comfortably. Swirl the brush. There are a few products I know of:
A Brush Cleaner: Bristle magic or similar
Oil Painting Solvent: Turpentine/White Spirit
Oil Painting Medium: Linseed Oil, Walnut Oil
Vegetable oil, Canola Oil
Repeat the above steps over until clean
Wash with a Mild Soap
Once most of the paint is released from the brush I sometimes use a little soap, something similar to this (Cass Art link). Use a swirling technique with some warm water to help release some paint higher up the bristles.
Shape and Condition
After rinsing, reshape the brush with your fingers, lay them flat on a towel to dry. Once dry I like to usually use some vegetable oil to help keep the bristles soft and supple. For me, it helps to keep them ‘damp’ and so that they don’t become brittle.
Product Recommendations
Here are a few products I have tried in the past and can highly reccomend. To note, these are not affiliate, and I receive nothing if you purchase.
Masters Brush cleaner and Preserver - Link
This cleaner is an all in one, one for all product. Its a great source if you do not want many products and need something to trust.
Cleaning Mitt - Link
You may laugh at this one, but I wanted to try something that felt better than traditional kitchen towel. Hard enough to remove the most stubborn paint, soft enough not to break the brush apart.
Pure-Sol Odourless Solvent - Link
For me, this is two-fold. I can use it to release paint for cleaning and as a paint thinner.
Share your Tips!
There we have it - my general tips, tricks or methods in looking after one of the most important tools in your arsenal. That being said, sometimes between close sessions, say a day at most in between continuing any one painting, I will usually leave the brushes resting on a container of vegetable oil, keeping the brush ‘moist’ and ready to go the next time. I have learned the hard way. I have wasted many of expensive brushes with incorrect cleaning, or even any cleaning at all! Taking the time to clean them has saved me no end of trips to the art store, and no end of money too.
Let us know if you have any tips and tricks that keep you going!
The Socials
Hello, I’m Chris
For the past few years Chris has pursued one of his hobbies to make more art. Starting this blog, he finds himself growing a community of like-minded creatives who want to spend less time in front of a screen.
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