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How to Make Your Paintbrushes Last Longer
Whether you’re an artist or a do-it-yourself painter, you know the importance of using a good paintbrush for a project . It’s often said among DIY painters and artists alike that we’re only as good as the paintbrush we use.
There are a variety of different types of brush shapes and fibers that will help you deliver a variety of effects. From feathering and blending to stark marks and wide washes, there is a brush out there for you and your work. However, paintbrushes can be pricey, particularly if you need to constantly replace them.
This is why it’s critical to not only get high-quality paint brushes but also know how to care for and repair them. Doing so not only saves you more time and money in the long run but also ensures that you consistently get superior results when using them.
Take Care of Your Brushes and They’ll Take Care of You
If you’ve invested in high-quality paintbrushes and want to prolong their lifespan, then this article is for you. In this article, we discuss how to properly clean, store, protect, repair, and revive your tired old paintbrushes and have them work as good as new.
A major factor in paintbrush longevity is how it’s used by the hand that flourishes it. You can buy the most luxurious red sable brushes you can afford, but they won’t last a day if you don’t use them for their intended purpose.
Whether you’re painting a postcard, a mural, or a piece of fine art on canvas, there will always be a paintbrush to help you achieve your goal.
We actually have a series of articles on our blog, discussing exactly this subject, that you can check out here:
- Exploring the Best Brushes for Painting on Canvas
- Things You Need to Know to Find the Best Brushes for Painting on Paper
- Best Brushes for Painting Murals Complete Guide
Reading any of these articles will show you that paintbrushes come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. These factors combine to create the right brush for the right job.
Using the wrong brush for a job not only produces subpar results but also damages the brush, sometimes to the point where you need to replace it immediately. This cycle of buying, abusing, and replacing brushes can get very expensive quite quickly, especially if you have several projects lined up.
Save your paintbrushes from undue damage, produce better results, and save more money by using the right brush for the right job.
Use Just Enough Water
It’s often easy to have a small jar or container of water nearby to give your brushes a quick rinse in between colors. While not a thorough cleaning, it’s a quick solution to use when actively working. Here are a few tips to keep in mind so you don’t cause damage to your brushes when using this method.
Firstly, stick to room temperature or tepid water. Hot water can transfer heat to the glue holding the brushes bristles and ferrule in place. Cooler water prevents the loss of bristles during washing as well as on the surface of your paintings.
Second, keep two jars on hand for your quick washes. You’ll notice after a while how quickly your water can get filled with paint thus rendering the water more frustrating than helpful. Using two jars strategically helps cut down on your runs to your sink.
One jar you can use to get rid of the bulk of the medium and pigment from your brushes. The second you can use for the last remnants the first jar isn’t getting. This second jar can be used to water down your paints a bit as well, as long as there isn’t a build up of too much pigment. You may have to get more water based on the size of your work, but at least you’ll need a few less trips if you utilize this technique.
Now, while on the subject of cleaning jars…
Paint Brush – Small – 408
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| Delivery Type | Timeframe | Cost |
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| Standard | 1 working day | Free |
| Express | Same Day* | 2.5 KWD* |
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Paint Brush – Small – 408
Sold Out – Back in stock soon!
Inspired by a traditional paint brush, this unique tool generously applies product with medium to high coverage and intense color payoff. Its small size is ideal for accurate foundation or body paint application in small areas. It can be used with liquids and creams except latex.
Type of fibers: Straight
Recommended textures: Cream and liquid (except Latex).
Make Your Own Natural Paint Brushes with Plants
Posted by Natural Earth Paint on May 13th 2012
The natural world is full of great materials to create with. Make works of art with Natural Earth Paint and handmade, natural brushes for a wonderful eco-friendly crafting session!
Supplies:
- Natural Earth Paint
- Plants such as yucca, mullein, iris, or cattail stems
Our Nature Art Class had a lot of fun making natural paint brushes out of yucca plant stalks and horse tails. The Southwest Native Americans had yucca plants all around them, and used them for painting pottery and fabric. Other plants to try are mullein, iris, cattail stems, and any other plants that look like they’d be fun to paint with. Be sure to forage responsibly!
Yucca Plant Brush: Chew on the end of the stalk for a minute, and then use your fingernail or a knife to scrape the green plant material off of the fibers into a brush-like end. You can even use just one fiber for very detailed work.
Horse Tail Brush: These plants grow in lots of gardens wild and are a ready-made paint brush!
After you’re finished painting, allow the paint to dry and marvel at the beautiful work of art you’ve made naturally!
Interested in more crafts featuring Natural Earth Paint products? Visit our Nature Crafts DIY page!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for more natural inspiration.
- nature craft diys
