Clean Your Brushes After Using Watercolor Paints
Watercolor paints are a delicate medium that can produce a variety of effects, and to get the best use out of them you need high quality brushes that are well taken care of. Here are some steps for cleaning your watercolor brushes and keeping them like new.
Instructions
1. As with other water-based media (such as gouache or acrylic), you'll want to keep your brushes moist while you're working, to keep the paint from drying on the brush and staining or deteriorating the bristles. The bristles on watercolor brushes are more fragile than those of other paint brushes, and the quality of a watercolor painting is dependent on the quality of the brushes. To keep the bristles from kinking, warping or bending, lay your brushes in a wide, shallow bowl filled with water in between color changes while you are painting. You might want to change the water a few times during the course of the painting, if it gets too muddy.
2. When you're ready to clean up, however, a cup, glass or jar is more convenient. Fill the glass with water, and one by one swish your brushes vigorously to rinse as much pigment out as possible. Try to avoid pressing the bristles up against the side of the glass, as this could damage them. Keep the other brushes lying flat or standing bristle end up in another cup.
3. Lightly drag each brush across a bar of castile soap or brush cleaner (available at art supply stores), then gently suds up the bristles in the palm of your hand. Rinse well. Wash and rinse your brushes as often as needed until they are clean and free of pigment.
4. Brush cleaner can also be used to condition and shape your brushes. Using clean suds and your fingertips, mold the bristles into shape and allow the brush cleaner suds to dry on the bristles. Remember to dust out the residue next time you use the brushes.
5. Wash your hands well, too. You might want to use a special "painting only" towel to dry off, in case there's a smudge of wet paint that you missed on the back of your hand.
6. Allow your brushes to dry in an empty glass standing bristle end up.
