Caring For Your Brushes
Tips for Looking After Your Brushes
Taking care of your brushes is one of the best investments you can make in your painting. With the right routine, they’ll stay in great condition, perform beautifully, and last much longer. Here’s my simple method for keeping brushes in top shape:
Clean as You Go
Any brush you’re not actively painting with should be cleaned right away. Don’t let paint dry on the bristles—it’s one of the quickest ways to ruin a brush.
End-of-Day Cleaning Routine
When you’ve finished painting for the day:
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Swish your brushes in clean, fresh white spirit (avoid using thinner that’s already been used during your painting session).
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Wipe the brush gently on a paper towel until no colour comes off.
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Repeat if needed until the brush is completely clean.
A Word of Caution
Never leave your brushes standing in white spirit. Resting them on their bristles for long periods will cause them to bend out of shape, which can make precise brushwork impossible later on.
The Golden Rule: Swish & Dry
That’s really all you need—swish and dry! It’s quick, simple, and highly effective.
Make Your Brushes Last
With proper care, a good set of brushes should last up to six months or more. Think of it as extending the life of your tools while keeping every stroke of your painting crisp and controlled.
