How do we treat brushes? How to maintain brushes?

When using a paintbrush, the most important thing to remember is that it is a tool. It's only as good as the person holding it. Also remember that you don't want to use a new brush every painting session. While it's tempting to get a brand new brush and start painting right away, it's better for your work to use multiple brushes over time. This way, you will be able to use them better and develop a better vision of your work. If you use a brush all day, you'll get used to its particular look and feel, which can make it difficult to switch from one type of brush to another later. The more experience you have with different types of brushes, the quicker this process will be.

Ways to maintain brushes:

Brushes are delicate and should be treated with respect. If you're going to take care of it, here's what you need to know:

1) Never use water or other solutions on your brushes. This could damage the hairs or cause them to fall out completely.

2) Do not soak your brushes in water for long periods of time. This can damage and break the brush fibers over time.

3) Do not apply too much pressure when using the brush. If you do this, it could damage the fibers of the brush and render it unusable for future painting projects.

Brushes are made of natural fibers that are sensitive to dryness, so it's important to keep them moist. To prevent your brushes from drying out, it is best to store them in an airtight container or jar with a lid. You can also place it in a bowl filled with water and a few drops of dish soap. If you are painting outdoors, make sure the brush is dry before storing it or placing it in the pot so that it does not become contaminated with dirt or dust particles.

Don't store your brushes upside down! This will cause wear and tear over time, which can happen more quickly if you don't take care of it properly. If you've ever stored them upside down and noticed any issues with the bristles, simply place them in their case immediately.

Do not place an open container of paint on the brush, as this may cause condensation to form inside the container, which could dry out the bristles. Instead, place it on absorbent paper or cloth so that there is no contact between the bristles and anything outside the container.

How to handle drawing brushes:

You can manipulate your brushes in different ways. You can wash them with warm water and soap, or use brush cleaner. If you want to clean the paint from the brush, first use warm water and a mild detergent (like dish soap). Then squeeze out as much water as possible and scrub with a toothbrush or soft-bristled brush. Rinse it under cold running water to remove any detergent residue. If the paint on the bristles is particularly dirty, use a toothbrush to clean it before applying the solution. Next, apply a small amount of dishwashing liquid to each bristle before soaking the brush in the solution for at least five minutes. You can also use soap or dishwashing liquid directly on the brush as long as it is not too strong. If you do this, make sure you rinse it well afterward.

If you want to keep your brushes in good condition and extend their life, you should soak them in lukewarm water before and after use. Then dry it and store it in a dry place.

If you want to keep your brushes clean and fresh, follow these steps:

1) Remove any excess paint from the brush by wiping it with a towel.

2) Gently shake excess liquid from brushes into a bowl containing enough liquid for the size of each brush (about 1/2 cup for each 6-inch diameter brush).

3) Place the brushes in the container with the bristles down so that they do not get damaged when immersed in the liquid (do not immerse them in the liquid until all the paint is removed) .

4) Fully immerse the brush in the liquid for about an hour, until the paint disappears from your fingers when you touch it (this should take less than an hour).

Learn more:

- The best gouache paint, how to choose the best gouache paint, characteristics of gouache 

- The difference between acrylic paint and enamel, the properties of acrylic paint and

- Dilute acrylic paint, how to properly dilute acrylic paint