A good brush can last for years, or be ruined in one afternoon. These simple habits keep the tip sharp and the hairs in place.
While you paint
- Rinse often, especially when you change colour.
- Never leave a brush standing on its tip in water. It bends the hairs and loosens the glue in the metal ferrule.
- Acrylic dries fast. Don't let it dry in the brush: keep it damp, and wash it as soon as you finish.
When you finish
Wash with lukewarm water and a little mild soap. Work the soap gently in your palm, then rinse until the water runs clear. Avoid hot water, which can damage the glue.
Drying and storing
Reshape the tip with your fingers, then dry the brush lying flat or hanging tip-down, so water doesn't run into the ferrule. Only store brushes once they're completely dry, upright with the handle down, or rolled in a brush wrap.
In humid weather, make sure brushes dry fully to avoid mould. In dusty seasons, keep them covered.
Keep separate brushes for watercolour and acrylic. Acrylic leaves a film that stops a watercolour brush from holding water well. Tiny nail-art brushes need the same care, because fine tips splay quickly.