The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Watercolor, Acrylic, & Oil Brushes

The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Watercolor, Acrylic & Oil Brushes

Brushes are one of the most essential tools in any artist's collection, whether you're working with watercolours, acrylics, or oils. The longevity and performance of these brushes depend on how well they are cared for. Each painting medium requires different brush care techniques, but the principles of proper maintenance remain largely the same. In this blog post, we’ll cover the best practices for maintaining your watercolor, acrylic, and oil brushes, so you can keep your tools in top condition and ensure optimal results every time you paint.

Understanding the Differences: Watercolor, Acrylic, and Oil Brushes

Before diving into specific care routines, it's important to note that brushes for different mediums are designed with different characteristics in mind:

• Watercolour Brushes: These are typically made from softer, more flexible bristles (such as sable or synthetic fibres) that are meant to hold and distribute water and pigment. They are designed to work with thin, fluid paints and require gentle handling.
• Acrylic Brushes: Acrylic brushes are made from stiffer synthetic bristles that can handle the thicker consistency of acrylic paints. These brushes need to withstand the high viscosity of acrylics, which can cause damage if not properly cleaned.
• Oil Brushes: Oil brushes have stiffer bristles (often hog hair or synthetic blends) designed to apply and manipulate the thicker oils, and they also need to handle solvents for cleaning. Like acrylics, oils can be harsh on brushes if not carefully maintained.

Though the bristles and paint consistencies vary, proper care is essential for all three types to keep them functional and long-lasting.

1. Cleaning Your Brushes: The Key to Brush Longevity

Watercolour Brushes: Watercolor paints are thin and easy to wash out of brushes, but if left to dry, they can become difficult to remove.

• Step 1: Immediately rinse the brush under cool, running water to remove the pigment. Avoid hot water, as it can damage the bristles.
• Step 2: Gently work the bristles between your fingers to loosen any pigment that might be stuck.
• Step 3: Use a mild soap (brush soap or baby shampoo) and lather gently in your palm. Rinse until the water runs clear.
• Step 4: Shape the bristles back into their original form and allow the brush to dry flat or with the bristles facing up.

Acrylic Brushes: Acrylic paint is fast-drying, so acrylic brushes must be cleaned quickly and thoroughly to prevent paint from hardening in the bristles.

• Step 1: Wipe excess paint from the brush using a rag or paper towel.
• Step 2: Rinse the brush under warm water to remove as much paint as possible.
• Step 3: Clean the brush with a gentle soap or dish detergent. Work the soap into a lather and rinse until the water is clear.
• Step 4: If needed, use an acrylic brush cleaner to dissolve any stubborn paint. Rinse well and reshape the bristles before drying.

Oil Brushes: Oil paints require a more thorough cleaning process since the paint is thicker and oil-based. You’ll also need solvents to clean off the paint, which should be handled with care.

• Step 1: Wipe off excess paint with a rag.
• Step 2: Dip the brush into a solvent like turpentine or mineral spirits to break up the oil paint. Gently work the brush to loosen the paint.
• Step 3: Once the paint is removed, wash the brush with warm water and mild soap to remove any remaining solvent and oil.
• Step 4: Rinse the brush under clean water, reshape the bristles, and allow it to dry flat or with the bristles facing up.

2. Drying and Storing Brushes: Keeping Them in Shape

Proper storage is just as important as cleaning when it comes to maintaining your brushes. Storing them improperly can lead to misshapen or damaged bristles.

Watercolor Brushes:

• Always store watercolour brushes flat or in a brush roll to avoid any bending or deformation of the bristles.
• If you must store them upright, place them with the bristles facing up in a jar or container.
• Never let watercolour brushes dry in a jar of water, as the moisture can weaken the ferrule (the metal part holding the bristles) and damage the brush.

Acrylic Brushes:

• Store acrylic brushes flat or hanging by their handles to prevent the bristles from becoming misshapen.
• Since acrylic paints dry quickly and can stiffen, always make sure that brushes are thoroughly cleaned before storing them.
• Acrylic paint can also harden on the bristles and lead to irreversible damage, so never store acrylic brushes with paint on them.

Oil Brushes:

• Store oil brushes flat or hanging to maintain the integrity of the bristles.
• It’s crucial to let the brushes dry thoroughly after cleaning to avoid any lingering solvent in the bristles, which could cause the brush to degrade over time.
• When working with oil paints, never leave brushes in the solvent for prolonged periods as this can cause the bristles to weaken.

3. Handling Brushes: Avoiding Common Mistakes

Watercolor Brushes:

• Use a light touch with watercolour brushes to avoid damage. The soft bristles are designed for delicate strokes and washes.
• Don’t overload your brush with paint or water, as it can cause the bristles to bend or lose their shape.

Acrylic Brushes:

• Acrylic brushes can handle more pressure but should still be used with care to prevent bristles from splaying or breaking.
• Avoid using acrylic brushes for thick impasto work with a heavy hand, as this can damage the bristles.

Oil Brushes:

• Oil brushes can handle more pressure, but excessive force can weaken the bristles over time.
• When applying thick layers of paint, be gentle with the brush to avoid damaging the ferrule and the bristles.

4. Reviving Old Brushes: Can They Be Saved?

Over time, even the best-maintained brushes can start to show signs of wear. Here's how to restore them:

Watercolor Brushes:

• If your watercolour brush has lost its point or become frayed, try soaking it in warm water with a small amount of brush cleaner or conditioner. This can help restore softness and shape.

Acrylic Brushes:

• If your acrylic brush has become stiff, soak it in a mixture of warm water and fabric softener for about 10 minutes. This can help soften the bristles, but make sure to clean it thoroughly afterwards.

Oil Brushes:

• Oil brushes can be rejuvenated by soaking them in a mixture of linseed oil or another oil medium for a few hours to restore their flexibility. Afterwards, wash them thoroughly with solvent and soap.

Conclusion: Brush Care for Every Medium

Taking care of your brushes will ensure that they last for years and continue to perform at their best, no matter the medium you use. Whether you're painting with watercolours, acrylics, or oils, proper cleaning, drying, and storage is key to preserving their shape and functionality.

By following these brush care tips, you’ll not only protect your investment but also enhance your painting experience. Clean brushes mean better results and fewer frustrations—so make brush care a part of your artistic routine, and your brushes will thank you for it!

Happy painting!