After cleaning the oil painting brush, to ensure it is thoroughly cleaned, the following steps can be followed:
First, preliminary cleaning
Use a tissue or cloth to wipe off the excess paint:
Before cleaning, gently wipe off the excess paint on the oil painting brush with a paper towel or a clean cloth, especially where the paint accumulates at the base of the bristles. For oil painting brushes with relatively soft bristles, such as wool or mink brushes, it is advisable to avoid pulling or repeatedly rubbing them to remove the paint, as this may damage the bristles. You can use a circular motion to gently scrub in one direction.
Select the appropriate cleaning agent:
You can choose pen remover, turpentine or odorless thinner and other solvents as cleaning agents. These solvents have strong dissolving power and can effectively remove the pigment residues on the bristles. However, it should be noted that turpentine is highly volatile, has a pungent smell, and is generally not used as a cleaning agent. It is more suitable for use when painting to quickly remove the oil in the paint and make it dry faster. Pen cleaner is milder and more suitable for daily cleaning.
Second, conduct a thorough cleaning
Soak the oil painting brush in the cleaning agent:
Pour the selected cleaning agent into the pen holder or container, making sure the cleaning agent covers the bristles. Soak the oil painting brush in the cleaning agent for a period of time to allow the cleaning agent to fully penetrate the bristles, soften and dissolve the remaining paint.
Gently stir or scrub:
If you use a pen holder, you can gently stir the cleaning agent inside to ensure that the bristles come into full contact with the cleaning agent. If you don’t have a pen holder, you can also gently brush the bristles by hand, but also avoid applying excessive force.
Third, rinse it clean
Rinse repeatedly with clean water:
Take the oil painting brush out of the cleaning agent and rinse the bristles repeatedly with clean water until the water becomes clear. Make sure all the cleaning agent and paint residues are washed away. When rinsing, you can gently squeeze the bristles with your fingers to help remove any residue.
Fourth, drying and maintenance
Dry upside down
After cleaning, place the oil painting brush upside down in a well-ventilated area to dry, avoiding direct contact of the bristles with the table or floor to prevent secondary contamination. At the same time, drying the bristles upside down also helps maintain their shape and elasticity.
Avoid direct sunlight:
When drying, avoid direct sunlight to prevent the bristles from fading or deforming. It can be dried in a cool and well-ventilated place.
Use fabric softener (optional) :
For soft brushes, you can gently wash them with fabric softener before drying to maintain the smoothness of the bristles. However, it should be noted that the amount of fabric softener used should be appropriate to avoid residue.
Store properly
After drying, store the oil painting brushes in a dedicated pen holder or pen case. If the pen is not used for a long time, a small amount of linseed oil or brush care liquid can be applied to the bristles for maintenance.
By following the above steps, it can be ensured that the oil painting brush is thoroughly cleaned and maintained, extending its service life and keeping the painting tools clean and hygienic. Meanwhile, during the cleaning process, be careful not to damage the bristles to avoid affecting the painting effect.