If you’ve ever attended one of our paint and sip events, you might have noticed how much attention our instructors pay to brush care between color changes and at the end of the session. There’s a good reason for this obsession with cleanliness – and it goes beyond just our desire to keep our studio supplies in good shape.

We witness the tragic early demise of countless paintbrushes (both our own and those belonging to enthusiastic students), and we’ve come to appreciate that proper care isn’t just about being tidy – it’s about respecting your creative journey and the tools that make it possible.

The Secret Life of a Neglected Brush

We’ve all been there. The painting session ends, creativity has flowed along with maybe a glass or two of wine, and cleaning brushes feels like the last thing you want to do. What’s the harm in leaving them until tomorrow? Or rinsing them quickly without properly reshaping the bristles?

Let us paint you a picture (pun absolutely intended) of what happens to a brush when it’s not properly cleaned:

First, paint begins to dry deep in the ferrule – that metal part where the bristles meet the handle. This is the “point of no return” zone. Once paint hardens here, your brush is essentially on life support. The bristles stiffen, splay outward, and that perfect point or edge you once relied on becomes a distant memory.

For acrylic paints, this deterioration can happen in hours. For oils, you might have a bit more time, but the outcome is equally grim. Even watercolors, which seem so innocent and easy to clean, can leave mineral deposits and pigments that gradually break down the integrity of the bristles.

A brush that should have been your faithful companion for years might last through a few of your masterpieces. Not only is this hard on your wallet, but it also affects your artistic expression – a damaged brush simply can’t perform the same techniques as a well-maintained one.

The Mindful Art of Brush Cleaning

At the end of every workshop, class, and paint and sip party. After our instructors wave goodbye, they go into the back to begin the meditation on washing brushes. With a class of up to 35 folks, maybe using a few different-sized brushes, our instructors get the pleasure (we mean that genuinely) of settling in to wash more than 100 brushes! While this seems like a chore, it can turn into a meditative, repetitive task that is the perfect way to wind down from the energy of teaching a class.

So when you are thinking about walking away from those brushes in the cup at home, remember that brush care can be more than just maintenance – it can be a mindful ritual that bookends your creative practice. Here’s how we approach this process:

For Water-Based Paints (Acrylics, Watercolors):

• The Initial Rinse: Begin with lukewarm (never hot) water, gently rinsing away excess paint. We like to keep the brush pointing downward so paint doesn’t travel up into the ferrule. Just as you want to rinse the conditioner out of your hair with cool water, brushes are the same!
• The Palm Swirl: Place a drop of mild soap (dish soap works wonders) in your palm and gently swirl the brush in circular motions. Watch the colors release in a tiny whirlpool – oddly satisfying!
• The Ferrule Focus: Pay special attention to cleaning right where the bristles meet the metal ferrule. This is where paint loves to hide and cause lasting damage.
• The Final Reshape: After rinsing thoroughly, use your fingers to reshape the brush to its original form. This simple step dramatically extends brush life.
• The Proper Rest: Allow brushes to dry horizontally. Storing wet brushes bristle-up in a container can cause water to run into the ferrule, loosening the glue that holds everything together.

For Oil Paints:

• The Solvent Soak: Begin by gently wiping excess paint, then rinse in an appropriate solvent (mineral spirits, etc.). We suggest keeping a small jar with a mesh bottom that allows the pigment to settle away from the brushes.
• The Soap Cleanse: After removing most of the paint with solvent, follow with a thorough cleaning using brush soap or mild soap.
• The Conditioning Finish: Oil paint can be particularly harsh on brushes, so we like to finish with a conditioning soap that helps maintain bristle elasticity.

A Clean Brush, A Fresh Start

There’s something deeply satisfying about beginning a new painting session with well-maintained tools. Clean brushes feel like possibilities – unmarked paths waiting for you to discover where they lead.

The next time you’re tempted to skip the cleaning process after a creative session, remember that you’re not just preserving tools – you’re honoring your creative practice and setting yourself up for better artistic experiences in the future.

Your brushes support your creative expression. Return the favor by giving them the care they deserve, and they’ll remain faithful artistic companions for years to come. Come see us at one of our Paint and Sip classes and ask one of our instructors to give you a demonstration!