Tips on cleaning up

Cleaning up

The following should be done at the end of every painting session:

1. Wipe excess paint from brushes using paper towel or rag. Paint contains linseed oil that can spontaneously combust under the right conditions. Paint-filled rags MUST be disposed of in the lidded red metal containers.

2. Rinse brushes well in solvent container. A plastic (not metal) dish scrubber in the bottom of a resealable glass jar makes this easier. Wipe out brushes again. Most of the paint should be removed at this point.

3. Bring your brushes to the sink and clean them using inexpensive bar soap. Ivory works well. Lather the brush and rinse several times, until no more color appears. Avoid pushing the brush into the palm of your hands, as paint can enter your bloodstream through the skin. Be sure to clean all the way to the ferrule (metal part above bristles.)

4. Shake out excess water and gently reshape the bristles with your fingers.

5. Back at your palette, save what paint you can. Oil paint takes a while to dry, and can be saved on the palette for at least a week. Scrape the rest off with your palette knife and dispose of properly, as mentioned above. Wipe down your palette thoroughly with a rag and a tiny bit of solvent or mineral oil.

6. Dirty solvent will settle, leaving clean solvent at the top. This can be decanted and reused. When solvent must be thrown out, it is disposed of in the red kettle containers. Try to reuse solvent as much as possible.

7. Check your work area for any papers, paint, spills, etc.

Other tips:

Do not try to place the plastic covers some brushes come with. You may inadvertently damage the bristles. You can build a protective cone from stiff paper and tape.

Never store your brushes loose in a book bag.

When a brush is not in use, lay it flat next to your palette. Do not leave a brush soaking in a solvent jar.