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This blog post originally appeared on my blog, KatieTurnerArtBlog.wordpress.com March 25, 2023

Good watercolor brushes tend to be expensive, although today there are lower-cost synthetic alternatives that perform just as well or even better than natural hair brushes.  Brushes really shouldn’t be neglected but treated with care.  I was inspired to write this month’s blog post after our family cat snuck into my art studio and chewed several of my brushes into a mangled mess.  I was lucky the naughty feline only found my inexpensive brushes!

It’s good to review brush care once in a while.  I like to make sure that once my brushes are clean, I can shape it back into its original point with a little water on my fingertips.  Some artists put their brushes in their mouths, using saliva to shape it but that could be a health risk because brushes may contain paint residue and some paints contain toxic ingredients not meant to be ingested.  Better safe than sorry!  A good brush usually will return to its original shape fairly easily.

I like to let my brushes dry on the edge of my palette facing down with a slight angle, so any extra water would not run back to the ferrule.

While painting, I don’t usually allow my brushes to sit inside a water container – I either lay them along the edge of my palette or use a set of chopsticks holders to hold them until I’m ready.  Still some of my older brushes have flaking paint on the handle and loose ferrules.  I’ve found it helpful to use a touch of clear fingernail polish to touch up the wood and gently using a pair of rubber-tipped pliers to set the loose ferrule back to its place. 

I have a few Sable brushes which I tend not to use since they are prone to lose shape with the way I paint.   I have read that you can restore sable brush shapes with oil although I have never tried it.  Once the oil has done its job, then wash it with lighter-fluid and finally wash it with mild soap and water.

Chinese brushes or calligraphy brushes are the only ones I like to use with ink (India ink or Chinese ink).  Using ink with regular watercolor brushes will cause them to become stiff over time.

Special soap made just for brushes is supposed to work miracles.  I have some and have used it but find it tends to work about the same as regular soap.  Special brush soaps can be found at just about any of the local art stores and online through Dick Blick Art Materials, Cheap Joes, Michaels or Utrecht.

Good brush care can extend the life of your brushes with only a few simple steps.  It can save you money in the long run.

Do you have a favorite brush or brush care tip to share?  Has your cat attacked your brushes?  I’d love to see in the comments!

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