Brush Care- What you do to your brushes during painting session?

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Rickka

New member
Although I took great care of my brushes (at least I think so, I followed the instruction of
this article), paint still built up near the ferrule, formed hooked tip.....and I just bought them 3 weeks ago. But they are synthetic....maybe they are prone to hooked tip?

So I like to know what you guys do to the brushes during painting session? I know some of you would brushlicking.....but its kind of......Or do you leave the brush standing or submerge the brush in the water? (without letting the tip reach the bottom)
 
No Such Agency

No Such Agency

New member
Synthetic brushes WILL hook. You just have to learn when to use the hook to your advantage :) And don\'t let paint wick up under the ferrule, this will ruin brushes of any kind. Avoid this by cleaning the brush frequently during use.
 
A

Antnol

Guest
I have noticed that cheaper brushes hook no matter what you do to keep them in good shape. They also get that annoying split right down the middle. Some people can or know how to use brushes when they get like this but I just cant do it.
Do not leave them in water for a long period of time as this will cause the handle to expand and the ferrel will fall right off or the bristles will fall right out.
I use the more expensive brushes. They are expensive but I can get 6 really good months out of them so I figure I am spending less money in the long run. i would rather spend a lot of money on one good brush than to spend a little money on a whole bunch of bad brushes.
 
J

jnr

Guest
As NSA says, clean frequently, if you notice any deposits near the ferrul it is time to stop and get the brush soap out! I keep a small piece beside me with a jar of clean water, i clean the brush about every hour of painting. Make sure you also rinse out the soap well as it can split the fibres as easily as paint.

I don\'t want to criticise synthetic brushes but in my experience i have never had one to match the quality or durability of a Kolinsky Sable brush... but oh god don\'t leave them suspended in water or upright for that matter, when you finish a session wash with a little brush soap and tepid water, then rinse with cold water as it helps the sable keep its shape... a tip on washing, if you only draw the brush backwards across your finger until no more deposits(dust like specks of paint) are seen you\'ll be doing grand:)

PS. Miniature brushes, even the W&N series are not expensive in the world of brushes, and the economy of quality means your £7 brush will last as long as 10 £1 ones and work like a demon.
 
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War Paint

Guest
I still get the hooks even on the W & N. I am shopping around now. Had a good experience with Premier pure sable and am trying from Rosemary & Co. Hopefully be on the mat when I get back from work today.

Have to say, can\'t afford the old Kolinskys yet. but will post back on the new ones
 
M

matty1001

New member
Kolinsky sables are worth there weight in gold.
I just give mine a good rinse after painting, then about once every two weeks give them a scrub in brush soap. Its amazing how much crap builds up in them.
 
G

Gilvan Blight

New member
Are you resting your brush in water, or even on your pallet with the tip bent?

The only way I tended to get bendy brushes is by resting them on the bristles somewhere.

Perhaps you always paint with the same side of the brush with says the words facing you. Try rotating the brush as you paint?
 
H

Hinton

New member
The few synthetics I\'ve used have hooked at the tip within just a few sessions. Now I have Isabey\'s and W&N brushes and they\'ve been great for me. Thorough rinsing when painting and always storing them bristles up will help preserve them (at least, that\'s what works for me).

I use brush cleaner (not brush soap) about every two weeks or so, just to make sure that any paint that may have gotten up into the ferrule is removed.

The hooked brushes I use for terrain and the like, so I still get some use out of them.
 
airhead

airhead

Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
Originally posted by War Paint
I still get the hooks even on the W & N. I am shopping around now.
Click to expand...
Even W&N Synthetics will curl, I\'ve found only the Series 7\'s will not.

am trying from Rosemary & Co.
Click to expand...
They should be good brushes as well. I\'ve only heard good about them.

Originally posted by Hinton
and always storing them bristles up
Click to expand...
that will allow moisture and bits of paint to end up in the furrel, causing splitting. Lay flat or with the brushes pointed down but not resting on the bristles.
 
B

Bill

New member
Brush-licking makes you a better painter :idea:

I\'ve never washed my W&N brush with soap, I\'ve had it for a year and it even survived a superglue encounter! :drunk:

So, I say, licking your brush will protect it from all possible harm and there is no need to care for it in any other way :innocent:
 
freakinacage

freakinacage

Well-known member
i have a small sponge soaked in washing up liquid and water by my table. everytime i clean the paint off, i give it a quick pass over that after the first rinse. never let the paint soak up to the ferrule and use brush soap every now and again. i have heard of some people using hair shampoo/conditioner as well on non synthetic brushes
 
R

Rickka

New member
Thanks everyone for the advice, I think I\'m just go to buy some sable brushes. Sadly I can\'t get Raphael, Rosemary etc around here in Perth....need to buy another cheap brand sable? (series 7 size 0 costs 20 Aus dollars...I don\'t think I want to invest that much on brushes for the time being)

Basically I cleaned my brushes with Master brush soap after every session, after that I left them to dry standing (tip up), perhaps that\'s the reason one of them splits.

Is it possible to retain the original brush colour (eg. white/deep orange) after long use? For example after 6 months to like 1 year?
Originally posted by Gilvan Blight
Are you resting your brush in water, or even on your pallet with the tip bent?

The only way I tended to get bendy brushes is by resting them on the bristles somewhere.
Click to expand...
My brushes don\'t bent, but formed an annoying hooked tip. (exactly like the brush shown in this article)

Originally posted by Gilvan Blight
Perhaps you always paint with the same side of the brush with says the words facing you. Try rotating the brush as you paint?
Click to expand...
I\'m not quite getting this, is this something to do with how the brush made?

Edit: Sorry that I didn\'t get you just now, I\'m not really care about the wording...unless it is series 7 (untill I get one...)

Originally posted by Bill
So, I say, licking your brush will protect it from all possible harm and there is no need to care for it in any other way :innocent:
Click to expand...
Actually I don\'t really like the smell of the paint (although Vallejo smells better than GW), let alone putting it in my mouth....:p
 
airhead

airhead

Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
you don\'t lick the brush when it is loaded with paint :p You lick it after it has been through the washing up cup. By far the best way to repoint a brush is with your lips.

To get the original white color, try an overnight soak in some W&N brush cleaner. Clip the handle of the brush so that only the fibers are in the solvent and just touch the metal ferrule. After a good soak, swish, then clean water and brush soap to recondition.

WARNING - cheap nylon brushes may melt in W&N brush cleaner.

As to the price of the S7\'s (or other good sable brushes), I\'ve had some for over 7 years now that are starting to show signs of wear. You can buy a brush a session of the cheap stuff or buy one good brush that will last years with the proper care.
 
J

J2FcM

New member
The thread title should be Kolinsky Sable, how does your brush care and treat you the painter.

Get some brush soap... clean after everyuse and straighten the tender lil bristles.

Extended painting? take a break and clean it up every hour or two.
 
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