Paint Brushes Are An Investment

Brushes are the most important painter's tools. Buying brushes is not just a random decision, but one that should be made carefully. Selection of brushes is personal and is based upon needs and level of investment desired. Because a brush will only last as well as it is cared for, proper cleaning and storage of brushes is probably even more important than the decision of what brush to buy. Because no matter how wonderful a brush is, if it is abused it will quickly be discarded.

Types of Brushes

The hair of the brush is what primarily denotes what type of brush it is and it's purpose. Although natural hair brushes usually cost more, they do not all create the same results. Sable hair brushes are probably the most popular brushes. They are soft haired brushes that move the paint easily and keep their point. Sable brushes are great for watercolor. Hog hair is also used to make brushes, but has a very different effect with media. Hog hair brushes are stiff brushes for heavy paint and will leave brush strokes behind. They have spilt ends and hold more paint and are used in oil painting. Synthetic brushes are also common for artists to use. These are generally less expensive, but still produce quality work. Paint brushes are an artist tools and several different types are needed depending on the project and desired result sought. More expensive brushes keep their shape after a stroke and do not fishtail or bend when paint is applied to paper or canvas and therefore have a more professional result. Less expensive brushes may be suited for some jobs, especially when used in crafts and with products like glue. The other factor identifying a brush is the handle. Traditionally long handled brushes are used for oil painting because the artist is standing at an easel. Shorter handled brushes are for watercolor and acrylics because the artist is sitting and painting in greater detail.

Cleaning and Care for Brushes

Because how well a brush is cared for effects how long the brush will last, extra effort put in to properly care for these important tools will be well worth the time. All brushes will eventually wear out and will then need to be replaced, but lengthening the span of time before that is necessary will help the budget. Cleaning is crucial to extending the life of a brush. Each brush should be cleaned immediately after use. Use a mild soap and clean in the palm of the hand. Rinse thoroughly and when water runs clear, lay the brush flat to dry. It should not be left vertical to dry as this will cause water to be pulled into the handle and will ultimately cause the handle to loosen and the brush will no longer be usable. Paint brushes should never be left sitting in a glass of water. Other than the effect it will have on the handle, it will crush the bristles. If the brushes are soaked, use a brush container that will suspend them and only fill the water to soak the bristles and not the ferrule or handle. After the paint brush is cleaned and dried it may be stored upright, or in a flat brush holder. Cleaning brushes is not only done at the end of a painting session, but should be done as needed. As a person is painting, effort should be made to keep paint away from the ferrule of the brush, but inevitably will naturally be drawn up the brush. As the paint gets close to the ferrule, it should then be cleaned. This is to prevent the paint from getting under the ferrule and drying there. Natural hair brushes also need to be conditioned on a regular basis. There are paint brush soaps that come with conditioners in them, or conditioner can be bought separately.

Make the investment of brushes one that will be used wisely. The results that a good paint brush produces are worth the initial cost, but only if the effort is made to care for them and extend the value of the investment.

About Author:
Emma Snow is a creator at Craft Kits http://www.craft-kits.net/ leading portals for crafts and creative individuals.


WallDreams Paint Tips!
Size does matter when painting. Use the correct size for the project at hand - why use many brush strokes with a tiny brush, when one pass with a larger brush will get the stroke down? Size to task!

Parts of a brush:

• Bristles - Natural or synthetic, some are meant for use with oil based products only, others are meant for water-based use only. Also of great importance is to use the proper method of cleaning the brush to the medium used. Bristles are the head of your brush.
• Ferrule - The metal part of the brush that attaches the bristles to the handle. Better brushes are crimped 2 to 3 times.
• Handle - Usually made of wood and may be shaped round or flat. The wood may be raw, varnished or painted, thus making the cleaning of the brush easier or not.

Cleaning your brushes: Wipe off the excess on tissue, paper towel, or cloth, gently squeezing toward the bristle tips, to remove paint. Do not tug on bristles. For oils of course, use turpentine or oil and for any water-based medium use lukewarm water to rinse the brush. Hot water is a big no-no on your brushes! Again, wipe on cloth, then dab the brush onto a piece of mild soap and work up a lather in the palm of your hand, using mild pressure. This is a repeat as necessary until all paint is removing, showing no trace of color, then rinse to remove the soap.

Reshape the bristles with your fingers, air dry with tip UP, not on its head. A pro painter will have separate brushes for oil and water-based usage.

For a video: How to Plan a Wall Mural Painting: Brushes for Painting Wall Murals

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f-w21vPiX0

WallDreams brings you information you can use - when doing it yourself is the only way to go!