Looking After Brushes
Whether you’re using brushes made of the finest Kolinsky Sable, mixed-fibre, or cheap and cheerful nylon, it should always be remembered that these are the tools of your trade, which deserve to be afforded the greatest of respect. If treated with care, brushes can last you a long time.
Having said that; time and time again, I see people do things with brushes that really didn’t ought to be done. Here, then, is a short list of do’s and don’ts:
[1] Don’t leave brushes in the water.
All brushes lose their point over a long period of time – this will simply speed the process up. Leaving them hair-down in water will bend them, and prolonged contact with water can soften the glue that holds the hairs in place in the ferrule, so making stray hairs a greater possibility. The best way to store brushes while you’re using them is flat on a table, or handle-down in a container with their hairs pointing upwards, for longer periods. If you’re going to store them away in a container, make sure they are bone dry first, otherwise they’ll go rotten with mildew.
[2] Clean your brushes regularly.
One of the worse things that you can do to a brush is to leave it dirty after you’ve used it. It’s easy to think of watercolour as being easy to wash off, which it is, but over a period of time, a build-up of residual pigment will wreck the point of your brush. Another place it tends to build up is around the bottom edge of the metal ferrule.
[3] Never put the brush in your mouth. Ever!
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen people put their brushes in their mouth to maintain their point. Seriously; this is not good practice! Unfortunately, I know that it’s a practice that many undertake out of a long-established habit, but if you’re one of those people, then there’s no better time to stop doing it than right now. Cadmium is not noted for its health-giving properties! Respiration and kidney problems can be fatal (often from renal failure). Ingestion of any significant amount of cadmium causes immediate poisoning and damage to the liver and the kidneys. Compounds containing cadmium are also carcinogenic.
Cobalt, too, is highly toxic to human beings; you’re risking Cardiomyopathy (a big and floppy heart which has problems pumping blood), possible nerve problems, thickening of your blood and thyroid problems. ‘Nuff said.
[4] Maintain the point by twirling.
Part of the attraction of cleaning brushes in the mouth is that it does it very effectively (something to do with spit holding hairs together). If you’re going to break the habit, you’ll need to find an alternative. The best, healthy way to mainatin a point is by dampening the hairs of a brush and systemtically twirling them from the ferrule to the point between your fingers. If the hairs are too wet, then dry them off slightly by dabbing them carefully on a piece of kitchen roll or a tea towel.
[5] Don’t use your best brushes to apply Masking Fluid.
Masking Fluid isn’t good for brushes at all. Over time, it’ll wreck them beyond recognition; if you must use a brush, use an old, cheap nylon brush – far better to use a ruling pen or colour shaper.
