HOW TO CLEAN WATERCOLOUR PAINT BRUSHES??

Watercolour brushes are more delicate than brushes designed for acrylic and oils and should be treated accordingly.

01. Clean with water as you go

As a lot of watercolour paint is used in highly diluted ‘washes’, it should take less work to remove the pigment from the bristles. Instead of cleaning with a cloth, keep a vessel of water close to hand at all times, swilling the brushes between washes. One tip is to use a brush washer with a holder so you can suspend the bristles in water when not in use.

02. Dry with a cloth and store

Dry with a cloth or paper towel, as with acrylics, and air-dry in a pot or holder.

03. Reshape the bristles

As with oils and acrylics, use reshape the bristles as described in the previous sections.

Dirty ‘wash’ water should be collected and disposed off responsibly. It’s also possible to allow dirty wash water from watercolour and acrylic paint to settle naturally in larger containers as you can with oil paint in clean spirit. The golden rule is: never chuck it down the sink!

How to clean other paintbrushes

When it comes to using other paints for murals or other projects, all paints will fall into two basic categories: water-based or oil-based. The only exceptions are some specialised paints that are thinned using mentholated spirits, but these tend to be more for trade use. Always read the side of the tin and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.

It’s best to clean brushes ASAP, but if you get caught short, a clean plastic bag can make a temporary brush-saver – just put your brushes in the bag until you can clean them properly.

Soak rollers used with water-based paints in a sink and wring with your hands to loosen off most of the paint or you’ll be there forever.