Clean brushes
Clear colors are made with clean brushes. Leftover pigment on a brush will muddy the next color selected. Certain colors taint others with only a tiny amount of residue. Any purple tint will turn bright clear yellows dull. Black paint will deaden colors. White paint washes out intense hues. Oil-based paints must be cleaned with a solvent. Water will not work on this medium. Turpentine, which is an extract from pine sap, or solvents such as Gamsol or Turpinoid work well. Clean up all brushes after you finish a session. Store your cleaned brushes in a cool location.
Instructions
1. Pour turpentine or solvent into your glass jar. Pour in at least two inches of liquid. Fill a bucket 1/4 full with warm water.
2. Start your painting. When you finish applying your first color, wipe excess paint off the brush with a paper towel. Squeeze the brush from the base to the tip to extract as much pigment as possible.
3. Brushes in solvent
Put your brush into the solvent-filled jar. Swirl your brush around in the liquid. The leftover paint will dissolve into the fluid, rendering it cloudy and tinted with the hue. Rub the brush tip against the wall of the jar, flattening it against the surface. Press out any pigment lodged between bristles.
4. Open your soap container. Add a few drops of warm water to the soap. Swirl your paint brush in and around the soap, creating a lather. Massage the brush tip between your fingertips.
5. Painting studio
Move the brush to the bucket. Swirl the brush in the warm water. Massage the bristles with your fingers to wash out soapy residue. Pat dry your brush with a paper towel. Repeat the process if there is still any pigment left on the bristles.
