Paintbrush Care

Parts of a brush

1. Wipe the paint off the brush First, wipe off excess paint using a cloth or soft tissue. Gently squeeze the brush from the ferrule outward to remove the paint. Do not pull on bristles.

2. Rinse the paint from the brush Rinse the brush in lukewarm water. Never use hot water as it can cause the hairs to fall out. Wipe it on the cloth again to remove the last bit of paint.

3. Wash the brush Wash the brush gently in mild soap or dishwashing soap (such as Ivory) Gently swirl the brush in soap in a container or in your hand Rinse and repeat until there is no trace of color left Rinse once more in clean lukewarm water

4. Dry the brush Shake off excess water Gently shape brush head into correct shape Dry brush at room temperature Stand on its back or lay flat Brushes are an investment. Carefully cleaning them after each painting session will ensure they last longer!

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Other Painting Guidelines Pouring Paint – Only pour what you need since you can’t pour it back into the container without risking contamination. You can always go back and get more paint if you run out. Paint Mixing – Mix paints on separate trays to avoid contamination. Wash brushes thoroughly when switching colors. Never mix paint on the painting surface, especially on paper.

Keep Area Clean – Check the back of your hands, arms and surface of the table. Often paint will splatter or transfer to other areas and then contaminate your work. Wash your hands and clean table when needed. – Hair and loose clothing need to be tied back. – Bring old shirt or borrow aprons and T-shirts to cover clothes you want to keep clean. – You are responsible for cleaning all trays and supplies at the end of every class and resetting your table. (You must stay in your assigned seats as each table will get a grade for clean up.)