Art supplies are investments. If you’re a painter, you want the paint brushes you buy to last as long as possible while providing the desired subtle or bold stroke. Here are a few tips that will help you get the most out of these implements. 

The Right Way to Take Care of Paintbrushes

1. Store Them Bristle-Side Up

Resting a paintbrush on its head can distort its shape. Even if it’s suspended on a rack and not touching any surface, hanging a brush upside down to dry can be problematic. The pressure caused by dripping water can cause the bristles to spread or bend, which makes it more difficult to make precise lines or add details to your artwork. Always store them horizontally, or with the handle pointing downwards. 

2. Don’t Keep Them in Liquids

It can be tempting to soak your paintbrushes and other art supplies in cleaning fluids for a few hours or even overnight to soften paint buildup and make the cleaning process easier. While it’s fine to do this for a short time, make sure not to keep them submerged for extended periods.

Some paints, like those with oil bases, require the use of solvents for proper cleaning. However, prolonged exposure to a solvent can corrode the glue inside the ferrule — the metal cap that holds the bristles together. Similarly, prolonged soaking in water can expand and even crack a wooden handle, which may continue into the ferrule and cause bristle loss. Resting against the bottom of a container can also apply pressure to and distort bristle shape.

3. Clean Them Quickly & Thoroughly

Paint is harder to remove when it’s dry than when it’s wet. If you set your dirty art supplies aside and wait to clean them, you may have to forcefully pull on the brush’s head to work out the paint. This could result in a misshapen brush or a loose ferrule.

Make sure all the paint gets washed off the brush, including any that made its way deep into the bristles near the ferrule. Any buildup in this area will force the bristles to separate, and consequently make it harder to achieve small details.

Don’t forget to clean the ferrule itself, as paint is difficult to remove from the metal surface once it’s dry. Once the brush is spotless, gently reshape the bristles with your fingers to make sure they retain smooth edges and sharp tip.

When it’s time for a new paintbrush, visit Hawaiian Graphics in Honolulu, HI. Their store has a large selection of art supplies for beginners and experts alike, and they offer both oil and watercolor painting classes to help you reach your artistic goals. To learn more about the products they carry, their reasonable prices, and their membership program, call (808) 973-7171. Visit them online to browse their inventory.